This a project that I started in mid 2019. A fun kit to build and looking forward to finishing it. Excellent kit in details and ingenuity. Well get into more info as we pop some lids on other projects as well.
Fly Navy

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

This should be a fun build. When I started flying for the Air Force in the mid-1970s, the Skyraider was being phased out, but was still being used in Vietnam for special ops and combat rescue. Looking forward to watching this build.

Good morning, Erik with only the very good Monogram kit in 48th scale, and the excellent Hase kit in 72nd scale built so far, I am really looking forward to getting into the Tam kit.
George, wow, that's cool. Only seen the Skyraider on display at several museums. The one thing that strikes me is how big it is.
Stellen, no going with AM decals. It will be USN operating in the Vietnam War. Stay tuned.

Happy Resurrection/Easter Sunday everyone, hope everyone is safe and enjoying this day. Lets' see what is in the box.
I start with popping the lid and find the standard well laid out Tamiya instruction booklet. Next is the scheme page that Tamiya inserts into each kit.

Next 2 decal sheets for the famous Bumble bee markings of VA-176, VA-25, and VA-52, all USN Lt Gull Grey over Gloss white.

I will not build any of the schemes from the kit, but instead will build another VA-25 scheme from Brengun with the toilet bomb configuration NE572. This will be fun.

Also will use True details resin wheels and Eduards Zoom set.

The Skyraider is molded in Tam's Light grey plastic. The first sprue holds the fuselage halves, dive brake doors, interior components and landing gear bay doors.

The cockpit is simple with typical Tamiya details, which the Eduard's set will enhance. Not much to see once the cockpit is in the fuselage.

Each half has some interior details.

The nice well detailed main gear bay doors and interior side walls are molded into a very solid one piece item. A detail that is not a new concept for Tamiya which they do on many of their kits. Which was really a highlight in the new recent P-38. But an idea they have incorporated in their build process.

Next sprue is the lower wing and flaps.

The lower dive brake well is nicely done. A nice option available if you wish to display the lower dive brake open.

The next sprue has the upper wing halves, main gear struts and center drop tank.

The main landing gear struts look sturdy and should hold this baby when completed for years to come. The beefy tail wheel assy is 2 pieces and looks great on the sprue.

The roof of the landing gear bay is under each of the upper wing halves.

Next sprues contains, the cowling, engine components, cowl flaps and the engine cooling flaps that deploy open or closed with in the cowl. Also the propeller.

The engine face is well detailed, not much if any will show with the engine flaps will be configured closed. Only the engine crank case cover will be able to be seen.

The option to display the engine flaps open or closed.

The prop is very nice and huge.

The engine cowl is 1 piece and accurate. The only gripe on the Monogram kit is the cowl. Though it really is not that much. But for some it can be replaced with an aftermarket corrected cowl now available.

6 additional images. Click to enlarge.

Great start, Chuck! Had built it 10 some years ago. Did the "Bumble Bee" kit version. Loved everything about this kit. Yours, with your superior skills and also the extras will by default turn magnificent. Cannot wait to see it coming together. Can post some pics of mine, if you so wish.
All the best!

Thanks Spiros, the VA-176 Bumble Bee is a well known and often built Skyraider in all 3 scales. (72nd,48th and 32nd). Very striking markings. What I like is to load it up with all kinds of ordy under the wings. And thanks so much for compliments. Your making me blush!
Thanks Eric, this is a kit though not really needing anything, but I like to enhance the cockpit a bit. The special bomb will be porcelain like the ones we use today.

Great build and plane. Following with interest, Chuck!

Coming along nicely, Chuck. I had an ESCI Skyraider in the stash and decided to build that one next. As you might expect, the difference between the Tamiya version and the ESCI is night and day. Everything is simplified and lacks detail, especially the cockpit. My biggest challenge so far is a large panel on the side of the fuselage. The mold for the fuselage was designed so that you could build several versions by simply including a panel for speed brakes, or a panel that included rear entrance doors, and so on. This panel didn't fit very well and I am currently on my fourth or fifth round of filling and sanding. I also have the Tamiya and Monogram Skyraider in my stash. I wonder every day why I didn't start with one of those. Looking forward to seeing yours built.