My latest finished project is Hobbycraft’s 1/72 EA-6B Prowler. Kit is basically OOTB and finished with Model Master enamels, coated with Future, decalled and then dull coated.
I did add scratchbuilt clear anti-collision lights on the vertical stabilizer and landing light to the front wheel well door. I also tried my hand at rescribing the panel lines- hats off to you guys who have mastered the technique. I am not overly pleased with my results but then again, it was my first attempt. I also highlighted the rescribed panel lines with a dilute wash of acrylic dark grey before dull coating. I intentionally left areas of the fuselage “dirty” with the wash to give the appearance of a well used aircraft.
Kit was not great with fit problems almost everywhere - I was going to make decals for the pilot’s names and call them Captain Putty and Commander Sand. Seriously though, there was quite a bit of filling and sanding, instructions were very poor with a lot of guesswork and the decals were a disappointment. Decals were supposed to be for lo-viz scheme but had a distinctive bluish-green coloration as can be seen from the photos and not a medium gray color that I think they should have been. The plane is supposed to represent an EA-6B of VAQ-139 based on the USS Independence in 1990.
Eventhough this kit was a bit of a challenge and did not have the level of detail I would have liked, it still represents one of my all-time favorite airplanes and the final result is OK. I have an Italeri A-6 Intruder that I hope I will have better results with.
I feel your pain with the rescribing of the panel lines. I just finished doing it to a helicopter I’m building and it can be a tedious chore. This is the second time I’ve done it and it came out much better… it also went by alot faster now that I have a method down. But in the end, it’s all worth it… ends up looking really good.
Jeremy, tell me you are not building Revell’s Huey Hog! I am currently trying to get mine to the paint stage and I can honestly say is the worst kit I have ever worked on. If you are rescribing that one…God speed!
I feel that way about the Hind… terrible fit and finish! I was actually going to try the Revell Huey Hog when I’m done with this one. I’m a glutton for punishment!
Oh… and I could have used that “God speed” a few weeks ago but I’ll save it for the next nightmare! [;)]
Once again, great job on the Prowler! What tool did you use to scribe it with?
Many, many years ago, I built the Hind as well…was no better then but I absolutely loved the helicopter. Used a brush to paint the brown on tan camo scheme from 1/4oz testor’s bottles. Ahh, those were the good old days…3 hours to paint something that can be done in 30 seconds with a rattle can or airbrush.
As for the scribing tool I used, it was one from Squadron (part #SQU10202) as well as my testors razor saw. The scribing tool almost seems like it is too sharp…cuts real deep if you are not careful.
If you start the Hog, get some tranquilizers for yourself!
I have the same tool you are using. I’ve found that it doesn’t really go where you want it to and it cuts deep and very wide… generally hard to use. But, that’s just one man’s experience. I’ve read about many people using a sewing needle in a pin vise and, I gotta tell ya, that made a world of difference for me personally.
Great job on a difficult kit. You overcame the problems and posted finished pics. Thats what matters.
As for a panel line scriber, ive got several but the one i love the most and feel gives the best results is Bare metal foils scriber. Its razor sharp, so really needs a delicate touch but with practice its great. Good at getting round corners too. You hold it like a pencil. Its also great for cutting out elevators or alerons etc…and its cheap!
Yes, the A-6 kit I have does have the wing fold option. I had a quick look at it last evening after your post and there does not appear to be a lot of detail if built with the wing folded. I am sure there may be some aftermarket parts to do this or even some creative scratchbuilding. The kit I have is ITA041. Although the following link is in German, it does contain pics of the parts sprue and wingfold instruction for the A-6 kit.
there is no such thing as perfect what you get and you are happy with it thats what counts the most besides you did a great job i like the paint scheme i here you with rescribing its a hard task but practice does better [{(-_-)}]
Model looks great. The only thing I’m not big on is he panel lines look too dark… or maybe too big. I suspect this is from rescribing. I build 1/32 and avoid it like the plague so I’m sure it’s very tough in 1:72.
I’m not sure if this is the place but you have a link in your sig so:
Matthew looked like a very cool guy. I’ve spent the last hour reading about every page of his website. I’ve had a cry (some of it is very powerfull, especialy to another parent) and I’m left totaly gutted. I think it’s great you’ve channelled your grief into his website. It trully celebrates him and his life and conveys the loss and grief too. I feel like a knew him. Hey any kid that had Metallicas Seek And Destroy as a favorite has to be cool!
I’m so sorry.
You need to work on the newpaper articles though most don’t work!
I concur with the panel lines, they are very tough in 1/72 and in hindsight, I should have used a lighter gray. Live and learn…
Thanks for your comments about our website dedicated to my late son. Parts of it are indeed a very tough read so you can just imagine how tough it was for us to assemble it. That being said, we did find it therapeutic to help us deal with our loss. Although many of the more recent media links do not work, we purposely left them out since the constant reminder of how the Canadian justice system failed us, and more importantly Matthew, was just too tough to keep the updates going. We will at some point complete this section.
Thanks for your kind words and remember to live every day with your kids to the fullest…
