So, the internet made me do it... I'll be entering this group build a little late, with a kit that I just acquired from the hobby shop this weekend. I had no intent to buy anything but supplies, but I saw this nice kit sitting on the shelf "smiling" back at me. I've always wanted to do up an AM Invader and even more so having just completed Tamiya's excellent P-51B. That, the group build, and the fact that my daughter always wants me to build a "shark" plane just seemed like the perfect excuse to build this simple kit up with the time remaining.

I was originally considering doing up a 1/72 Sundowners Phantom from Revell, but the decals were in no condition to use, also that's not my ideal scale.. and the kit is flashy, has severely soft details and would just be more work then it'd be worth. Next consideration was a Ryan XFR2-1 Dark Shark that is begging to get a set of chompers. Being a one off kit, I just can't keep motivated with the extra massaging needed in order to finish it up in time for this group build to complete.

So, back to the A-36... This will be a simple build by the looks of it, and will be done up out of the box, using the Italeri decals (despite how much I like the "Herschel" build up, perhaps another time).

More to come!

Andrew I've build two A-36's and they went together well and one was posted here on iModeler. The kit is the old Accurate Miniatures molds and I didn't have the warp-age you apparently experience. I would caution you about using a heat gun as I've had nothing but disaster using them. Hot water seems to work the best for me. For a better fit glue the front cowl to the fuselage before closing the halves together and you'll experience less gaps. Have fun

Interior is 80% complete from a painting and detailing perspective. The IP still needs decaled.

Beyond that, the only other open item here is to add the Eduard belts. Still haven't test fit the Tamiya canopy either, but that will come once the fuselage is closed up.

Pieces requiring metallic finishes have been prepped and base coat sprayed as well.

Also managed to detail up the wheel wells. I did framing in a slightly modified hue of Testors yellow zinc chomate, and brush painted the underwing panels in a shade of Vallejo Aluminum. Looking back, I should have done this in the opposite order, but I am still happy with the results.

Inner doors have been installed up, mainly because the flaps are up.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Much progress has been made in the past few days. This kit is a very simple build, however it hasn't been without a few fit issues.

The engine cowling halves were assembled prior to being installed to the rest of the fuselage. This presented no issues, as I ensured that the fuselage was connected to the wings at the right width. However, the fit between the fuselage and the wings left something to be desired. I did my best to fill and file, but the right thing to do would have been more extensive test fitting prior to final assembly.

Anywho, all the auxilery parts are painted, and ready for install. Canopy parts were dipped tonight, and will be masked once they dry. I will install front windscreen, rear windows and a spare Malcom hood for painting.

Next will be primary paint. I plan on using MM Acrylic OD and Neutral Grey. Insignia red used for the prop spinner. I did thin the prop down a bit, as it was toy like in proportions, with nearly squared of leading/trailing edges.

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Thanks Tom!

From the looks of it, the Tamiya open center sections will fit, however the kit windscreen will need to be used, due to the differences in shape of fuselage along the lower edge. Time will ultimately tell.

Looking good!

Louis, certainly. I couldn't believe how many great and unique shots were posted there... Snapshots in time, only make you wish the whole story.

Wow ! Your A-36 looks great ...even better with some paint on it. Good score with the f-6 too. Like you said, one can't have enough Mustangs. Well done. Looking forward to the next episode.