Box scale oldies
Here are a pair of box scale oldies I recently completed, the A-5A Vigilante from Monogram and the A-3D Skywarrior from Revell, I tried tweaking both of them with a little detail. I used the kit decals from the A-5 as you can tell from the yellowing, I added an ejection seat to the front cockpit, also added F-4 exhaust cans and a pitot tube to the nose, and plenty of filler. The A-3D I roughly converted to an EA-3B with kit bash decals of an EA-3 of VQ-1 on board USS Kittyhawk in 1973, modified dove tail, bottom fuselage canoe and more filler. I would have built the A-3 out of the box but the kit decals in the SSP reissue kit were actually for their old F-111 kit. They were a fun build.
4 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Rob Anderson said on March 3, 2016
Mighty fine looking! I must have built 2-3 of those Vigies as a kid!
Craig Abrahamson said on March 3, 2016
A couple of oldies we don't often see...good work.
George Williams said on March 3, 2016
"Box scale oldie" sounds like a good title for a country and western song! You definitely had fun building these which is what it's all about, thanks for sharing.
George Williams said on March 4, 2016
Actually, I think there is a C & W singer called Boxcar Willie, whatever...
Phil Steele said on March 4, 2016
They is !
Robert Royes said on March 4, 2016
Ye Ha!
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on March 11, 2016
Y'all are a-havin' too much fun!
Tom Cleaver said on March 3, 2016
Having built both of these when they were new, in a day with tube glue, you've definitely achieved more than I did. 🙂
Jim Sullivan said on March 4, 2016
Seeing your build of those two old Revell kits surely brings back some memories of my early modeling days when Monogram and Revell ruled. I still have one of their 'box scale' P2V-7 Neptunes in my stash. Thanks for sharing those two builds with us. For sure, a nice trip down memory lane.
Robert Royes said on March 4, 2016
Build it.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on March 12, 2016
Jim, I'm with Robert. Though the P2V was box scale, it was all there was 'til the Hasegawa. Is it the one with "Operation Deepfreeze" markings with skis? (Think that boxing was for the 100th anniversary of Navair in 1961?)
I think that Lodela (Mexico) and Revell do Brasil also issued some of the old Revells from time to time.
Vincent Perry said on March 4, 2016
Beautiful old kits that turned out very well
Greg Kittinger said on March 4, 2016
Nice pair! Those were two big jets to put on an aircraft carrier deck!
Robert Royes said on March 4, 2016
The Vigilante was awesome to watch take off. When the A-3 came on deck, we all got out of the way. It was known to have broken arresting cables.
Rob Anderson said on March 5, 2016
I was warned to get behind the island when the Whale (EA-3) came in, anyone who has witnessed the "Whale Dance" will understand.
Robert Royes said on March 5, 2016
Amen brother! Aluminum overcast , kudos to the crews that flew them.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on March 11, 2016
Is that the Vigilante kit that ejected the BOMB out the back of the model? Just like on the real thing, huh?
The Skywarrior was a favorite kit of mine, what with the folding wings and tail. I remember the box art as being a real incentive, too. She was a beaut.
Robert Royes said on March 12, 2016
In its original issue yes, This issues dates 1967 where it was left out. The A-3 was a retro reissue with original box art. Check out the Hasegawa A-3's on this site by another member which are excellent.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on March 12, 2016
I'm fighting the urge to get me a 1/48th A-3 from those people, though I hear all kinds of negativity, I.E., engine nacelle shape(!) and the canopy. There's just something about the Whale, plus I'm a Navair guy.
Back in the old days, you could play with your models, as in the rearward ejecting bomb (Just like the real thing, kids!) on the original issue one. Scare yo9ur pets!
Friend of mine had the Revell 1/40th A-1, with all the gimmicks, in the original issue. Somehow, there was plastic gears and gimmicks that enabled one to drop the centerline bomb, and deploy the dive brakes. The wings folded (manually) and the gear retracted. His Mom was dusting one fine day, and the plane quite literally flung itself to pieces.
I just shook my head.
Yeah, I did get the Hasegawa, and mine has resin parts to change the nose shape and put on the original tail turret. I'm working up my courage to apply the Exacto saw to it, one of these days. See how the Revell exerted its influence?
The Vigi, now there's a plane! Wooosh! Standing still!
Robert Royes said on March 12, 2016
Aye. I got to help someone do eddy current inspection inside one[a-3] during my Navy reserve days. back in 1993, They were checking for cracks in the wing spar area I think. The a-5- raw power!
Leslii said on May 17, 2017
Love the vintage models. Would like to see more of the nostalgic old box-scale kits. Very well built!
Robert Royes said on May 17, 2017
Thanks, I recently did Monograms 1/90 c-47 as a navy R-4D,