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Paul E. Owens
7 articles

Douglas A-1H Skyraider

January 22, 2019 · in Aviation · · 19 · 2.9K

The Douglas , affectionately known as the Spad or flying dump truck is the kit i purchased in 2001 if i recall correctly. I started building in 2002 but i was defeated by the four color cowling, i could not get the natural metal leading edge without affecting one of the other three colors. Finally, after three attempts of painting and stripping, i gave up and added the kit to my shelf of doom collection. fast forward to 2018 and i decided to give it another go and success! All the finishing touches were done this past week, almost 17 years! is that a record?

Reader reactions:
10  Awesome

2 additional images. Click to enlarge.


19 responses

  1. Good looking Spad Paul, glad to see you completed her. Now how about adding a couple more pics to really look her over? After 17 years the old gal deserves to be seen.

  2. Here you go Tom

    3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

  3. Well, Paul - I don't think it's a record, but it sure looks great!

    Well done, Paul!

  4. NICE!
    She worth the time 🙂 It turned out great!
    Regarding the 17 years record... I'm sorry but, as you can see on my posts, I had some models on the shelf for more than 30 years 😀
    Well, congratulations, the Spad looks awesome!

  5. A beautiful model, even if it stayed on the shelf for do many years 🙂 just how did you manage to paint the cowl edge then?

  6. Thanks Pedro, i painted the leading edge by cutting a long strip of masking tape very thin, a couple of mms and started around the cowling and building it inwards until i could use wider masking tape. the thin masking worked on the compound curve of the cowling and there was no paint seepage.

  7. Looks great. I'm about 80% finished with mine and it just seems likes it not working out and I want to throw it against the wall. You're pushing me to get mine across the finish line.

  8. nice and clean. a beautiful model!

  9. Thats a great looking Spad dude, excellent work!

  10. Can't go wrong with anything by Tamiya - no matter HOW long it takes. 🙂

  11. Paul, This really came out nice, I particularly like your exhaust stains. I think you really captured the look there. Well done !

  12. Beautiful Skyraider!, I shelved a build for about twenty five years, couldn't decide how to paint it.

  13. A beautiful Spad - very nice! Glad you were finally able to problem-solve so well.

  14. Great looking build.

  15. that's soooo purdey

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