FAA Skyraider Mk.1 & Tow Tractor.
This is a What-if I made a couple of years ago in the markings of a Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm Skyraider.
The Royal Navy had in fact, operated the AD-4W early warning Skyraider, designated AEW.1 and flown by 849 Naval Air Squadron during the 1950s.
I’ve always liked the aircraft ever since I was bought a Revell 1/40th scale Skyraider by my grandfather. It had working features if my memory serves me correctly, this included, folding wings, retracting undercarriage and detailed engine to name but a few.
The kit I’ve built here is the 1/48th scale Tamiya Douglas A-1H Skyraider.
This was the fifth Tamiya Skyraider I had built. The others being, Two U.S. Navy, and Two U.S.A.F Skyraiders.
Normally, I keep aftermarket details to a minimum, but this time I used a Eduard Zoom set, several Quickboost Resin Sets, including Plylons, gun barrels, a boot cockpit enclosure and antennas. The decals came from various aftermarket sheets.
The main colours of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky are from the Mr Hobby range of paints. The remainder being Tamiya Acrylics.
The marking represents a Skyraider Mk1 of 700A NAS based at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk) Cornwall.
The nose art is a pirates face deriving from the comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance.
The tail markings depict the letter ‘A ‘ with a hawk, and the CU tail code for Culdrose.
I chose 771 fuselage number because my son arranged a flight for me with 771 NAS in a Sea King before they dispanded.
The Tow Tractor a Skunkworks 1/48th Royal Navy Tractor painted with Tamiya Acrylics and weathered with a Flory wash.
17 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on August 2, 2017
Wow! Love the Skyraider and you have certainly made it justice. Am in fact putting the last bits on a second Whif `Raider myself and will post in a few days. Great way of making sub assemblies all the way, painting included, before actually gluing the bits together. But what happened to the exhaust stains on the side? It´s a bit clean, isn´t it?
Craig Abrahamson said on August 2, 2017
The Brits maintain an awesome maintenance crew, don’t they? 🙂
Julian Shawyer said on August 2, 2017
Thank you Stellan, I’ll keep an eye out for your Skyraider.
I build most of my kits in subassemblies if the fit is good.
Yeah, it is a bit on the clean side. But that goes back to Nelson’s days. 😉
Robert Royes said on August 2, 2017
It just had a fresh water wash down, very important to combat saltwater corrosion.
Tom Cleaver said on August 2, 2017
As I recall from my own days as a visitor ’round the Senior Service, there was a “difference” between their idea of a “clean ship” and that of our Chief Boatswain’s Mate. 🙂
Jeff Bailey said on August 2, 2017
Truly outstanding! The painting of both the aircraft and the tug is great as is the weathering you’ve done.
Great job, Julian!!
PS – It’s awesome that you got to ride in a Sea King, thanks to your Son!
Julian Shawyer said on August 2, 2017
Thank you Jeffry. He looks after his old Dad. He also got me a flight on a Merlin as well, flying over the beautiful county of Cornwall.
Craig Abrahamson said on August 2, 2017
Good job, Julian….in ALL aspects (you know what I mean). 🙂
Julian Shawyer said on August 2, 2017
Many thanks Craig, and thanks for your help earlier.
Andreas Fey said on August 2, 2017
Impressive work, like this one, thanks for sharing with us!
Julian Shawyer said on August 2, 2017
Thank you Andreas, glad you like it.
kloster zero said on August 2, 2017
This is really beautiful and delicately weathered congratulations Julian!
I suppose the Aew’s employed by the RN had a different camo as they weren’t carrier based machines or were they?
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on August 2, 2017
The AEW-1´s (AD-4W) were painted dark blue in RN. They had a huge radome under the fuselage and two more crew in the back for navigation and operating the radar unit. 13 of these AEW´s were bought to be operated in Sweden as target tugs. After de-navalisation they were painted all yellow and got equipped with target towing gear.
Julian Shawyer said on August 3, 2017
Thank you kloster. You might find the link below interesting.
Its about Skyraider operations on board HMS Bulwark.
http://skyraider.org/skyassn/memberpics/cowell/cowell.htm
kloster zero said on August 2, 2017
Cause that blue grey on light grey is great !
Robert Royes said on August 2, 2017
Great build, nice tractor, love the flight deck.
Julian Shawyer said on August 3, 2017
Thank you Robert. The flight deck is by a company called Coastal Kits. They make Display Bases of all sorts.
Tom Cleaver said on August 2, 2017
That airplane is so clean, no ‘Raider pilot would set foot in it for fear of something falling apart. 🙂
Cool idea.
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on August 2, 2017
Yeah, there is definitely something they try to cover up by keeping it so clean.
Julian Shawyer said on August 3, 2017
Many thanks Tom. I do tend to make them a bit to clean sometimes.
IAN JACKSON said on August 2, 2017
LOVE THIS !!
Ian.
Julian Shawyer said on August 3, 2017
Thank you Ian. I’ve always liked that colour scheme on RN aircraft.
George Williams said on August 3, 2017
I don’t usually “get” what-ifs, but this one is very convincing, and those Fleet Air Arm colours really suit the Skyraider, helped, there is no doubt, by your subtle weathered finish. I lived in Camborne for a few years as a youngster and thoroughly enjoyed the airshows at Culdrose.
Julian Shawyer said on August 3, 2017
Thanks George. This is the only what-if I’ve ever made. I visit Cornwall a lot to see my Son. I leave the A30 at Camborne and cut across to reach Helston. I’ve been to a few Family Days at Culdrose, but only one airshow. On that occasion, it rained most of the day.
Julian Shawyer said on August 3, 2017
Thanks George. This is the only what-if I’ve ever made. I visit Cornwall a lot to see my Son. I leave the A30 at Camborne and cut across to reach Helston. I’ve been to a few Family Days at Culdrose, but only one airshow. On that occasion, it rained most of the day.
Editor said on August 3, 2017
Wonderful. At first glance, I thought, “What, I didn’t know that the British had Skyraiders! Or was it Australian? Hmm, nice markings, which unit was that?”. You got me on this one! 😆 AND it is a very nicely finished model.
Julian Shawyer said on August 3, 2017
Thank you Martin, I’m pleased you like it. The British did have Skyraiders, but not this version. It was the AEW aircraft they used. I posted a link in an earlier post if your interested. Both the British and Australian Navy’s did paint their aircraft in the EDSG & Sky scheme though.
Greg Kittinger said on August 3, 2017
Really very nice! Very clean finish and nice details. Well done.
Julian Shawyer said on August 3, 2017
Thank you Greg, much appreciated.
Ray Seppala said on August 3, 2017
NIce work Julian, looks like one of those should have beens!
Julian Shawyer said on August 4, 2017
Thank you Ray.
Josh Patterson said on August 3, 2017
Boy, the FAA colors sure make the Skyraider look sporty! I wonder how the black and yellow Suez stripes would go with it?
Julian Shawyer said on August 4, 2017
What a good idea Josh. The FAA AEW Skyraiders painted Glossy Sea Blue were involved in the Suez Crisis as I’m sure you know. I believe Italeri produced a kit in those markings.
Josh Patterson said on August 4, 2017
I did not know that but now that you mention it I do seem to recall the kit you mention. I’m surprised it would be blue though as I thought the two tone was the camo of the period. (Although I don’t know if FAA were repainted once in service. Maybe only after a major maintenance? Not familiar with how the Royal Navy handled such things. Any insight or references I could read up on?)
Julian Shawyer said on August 4, 2017
Hello Josh,
Try this link
http://skyraider.org/skyassn/memberpics/cowell/cowell.htm
Tony Prince said on August 4, 2017
Lovely job Julian. Royal Navy markings suit it beautifully.
Julian Shawyer said on August 4, 2017
Thank you Tony. You can’t really go wrong with those colours.