This is one kit I was looking forward to getting started late in the year. Reading so much positive reviews and beautiful build ups of the Skyray. Some have arguably said that this is the most beautiful plane ever to fly for the Navy and Marines. So with the Beaufighter completed in September, the Skyray was next up on the Tam pile to start on.

So lets take a look what is in the box. Starting with the instruction sheet. The standard instruction fold out sheet with a supplemental insert included.

The decal sheet is pretty nice. Representing one Marine and Navy jet. Rather colorful pair from VF(AW)-3 and VMF(AW)-114. Though I will be using a Super Scale sheet for this build.

An Eduards cockpit zoom set will be used to enhance the cockpit a bit.

The clear sprue is excellent as usual from Tamiya.

The first sprue contains the unique horizontal stabs, cockpit tub, main wheels and intake turbine. Nicely detailed bits.

3 additional images. Click to enlarge.

Raise your right hand!

Thx Harold, yes it looks like a good one. Totally forgot about the Furball Decals, will be using an older Super Scale set for a USN bird.

Hey, Chuck. Just posted an article that included the fact that today is the exact day (in 1951) that the Skyray first flew. Congratulations on a great thread, she’s looking terrific already!

Great lookin' Skyray, Chuck! And, since David posted about the date, this is very timely.
@uscusn

Thanks Jeff, that was a kick to get me to start updating the build which has progressed well so far. Just behind in posting the WIP. D-L's daily journal motivated me to start catching up on the updates. By the way that is so cool in seeing your tank being reproduced.

Thanks Greg, is the 72nd scale kit rebox from another manufacturer or is it a downsized copy of the 48th scale kit.?

Hoping to see ya start working on that project.