So here we have my latest completion- Heller’s Etendard IV M in 1/48. Let’s just say that this kit was challenging. The front of the fuselage was warped around the intake areas, the plastic quite brittle, and the fit in some other areas less than ideal. She fought me more and more as I neared the finish line, but in the end I did complete this bird. Using the kit decals, and some scavenged from an Etendard IV P in my stash I was able to finish this in the scheme worn in the mid 80’s, using some Xtracolor enamel on the topside and Tamiya acrylics on the undersides. It has lots of little flaws due to various things that happened along the way, but I am quite happy to get this one finished and onto my display shelf.
Thanks for looking, comments and critiques are welcomed
It makes me reconsider tossing my kit and actually building it OOTB. Mine has awful sink marks on both lower wings that distort all that lovely recessed panel detail. The Etendard is a neat looking airplane, especially the early version with the antenna fairing under the pointy nose.
Thanks G. This sure is no Tamigawa shake and bake just add glue kit. Modeling skills required… [:|] But with some extra effort and persistance, a nice model can be completed. I don’t recall having many sink marks on this one, but there were a few. Thankfully not too easily seen. The recessed detail did look a bit weak until the primer went on. Then things looked much better. I do hope that you have not tossed your Etendard yet, and that you will be building it here sometime. It is quite rare to see one built, not just here, but on any forum!
Hi, Carlos - That’s a dandy model of a sleek fighter, very nicely done, your treatment of the panel lines really makes it stand out. Glad you stayed with it to the finish, persistence pays off.
Thanks for the post and photos, I quit enamels a long time ago, but seeing your info on Xtracolor makes me want to see how to get it ordered.
Thanks Patrick. Xtracolor enamels are getting harder and harder to find here in the USA, although there is a store on eBay that looks to have most of the line in stock… and for reasonable prices. He also stocks the Xtracrylic line, if you want to give those a shot since you’ve stopped using enamels. I can’t say much about those, as I only have one in all my paints, and have only hand brushed that stuff.
Is the canopy a little crooked? Looks like it’s a little off. Could be the pictures. Nice job getting it done. I always like your builds. You clearly have a high level of skill.
I think so… just a tad bit to the right. I thought it was straight in person, but photos show what looks to be some misalignment. And it’s super glued in place, so it’s not going anywhere easily. There are a few other alignment issues with this one, and it’s not going to any contests, so I’m not gonna worry at this point.
Thank you for the kind words regarding my builds.
WOW! What an excellent build stikpusher especially considering that it’s a HELLER kit!! I always felt that the Etendard was a very attractive plane, probably one of France’s best designs. I have a recon version by HELLER up in the stash somewhere?
Tom I’ve got that Heller Etendard IV P in my stash as well to build one day. Those saw combat over Lebanon in the 80’s and the Balkans in the 90’s. I’m not sure when I’ll tackle it, but hopefully sooner than later. Just not too soon as my plate is already full for the next six months at least…
In addition to the Etendard, I also have a 1:48 Mirage IV with the ASMP missile in the stash. I built the bomber version many years ago, but those devious folks at Modelsvit have announced new tool kits of both. [:S]
