Sword 1/72 F3D2 Skyknight
VMF(N)-513, late Nov 52. #23 was the first Whale to achieve a kill during the type deployment on the Korean War early that month and a second kill on Jan 53, I decided to show it during the period in between those events when the squadron participated in ground attacks, hence the ordinance.
As reviewed elsewhere the kit comes with some external details added later during the type service life that had to be removed or reworked to show the aircraft on its early guise. I added some other details on the horizontal tail plane to simulate the control surface actuators on top and bottom surfaces. I also improved the engine housing union to the main fuselage, added the internal rails on the cockpit for the entrance hatch, very visible on the pictures of these aircrafts, I used the seats, other bits and the instrument panel from the Pavla cockpit set, and extended the auxiliary wheel on the lower rear fuselage as usually seen while on the ground. Clear cover for the lights on the wingtips and metal tubes for the cannon extensions on the front wheel well were added.
Tail codes, national insignias and numerals were painted, only the kill marking and the BuAero were decals from the kit. Painted with enamels from Testors and Model Master and metals from Gunze Sangyo and Vallejo, Panel lines accented with AK pencils, and dry pigment for the dusty finish. The bombs came from the Eduard Brassin line, very nice items indeed.
This is really good, Ruben, I particularly like the “dusty” finish.
Thank you, it looks better in person, some is lost on the pictures.
Awesome result upon the challenging Sword kit, Ruben!
Congratulations!
Thank you.
Excellent build, which certainly looks the part. Its great to see a lesser modelled subject, done to such good effect, especially for 1/72 scale. Thanks for sharing your fine work.
Thank you for your comment.
Beautiful result on a not so often seen model, Ruben @rubentorres
Great finish.
Not a common subject indeed. And I don´t know why but I´ve always liked it.
Nicely done! Was it a difficult kit?
Hello! I would say that it is not for beginners.
Their Twoger TF9F was a little tricky too.
Very nice!
Great job on a seldom seen kit, Ruben (@rubentorres). I have heard that this kit has a few challenges, which you have certainly mastered. Well done.
Challenging indeed.
Very nice build Ruben. I have a couple of these Sword kits in my stash and I’m now thinking I want to arm one with bombs.
Excellent - looks good!
Well done, Ruben.
Looks great! The paint and finish work is very nice.