Moving on the assembling the engine, cowl and scoop on the front part of the fuselage.

The cowl is molded in 1 piece and in past reviews from other modelers is the correct length. Despite being an excellent kit, the only flaw in the Monogram kit is the cowl is short. Which is not that far off so it is not a deal breaker.

I won't do much with the engine as I will configure this with the cowl intake flaps closed. Black based with steel lightly airbrushed over the black to highlight the cooling fins. Then the center flange is attached to the cooling flaps in the closed position.

Next the polycap is inserted into the back of the cooling flaps and then the assembly attached to the engine crankcase.

Next the engine assy is inserted into the cowl, all the way until the cooling flaps meet the inner edge of the cowl with no gaps around the ring.

The rear cowl ring filler is then placed in back of the engine cowl.

The forward nose section has a bit of Lt Gull Grey painted around the areas where it will be difficult to reach once the cowl assembly is in place.

The exhaust ring and pipes are painted Burnt Iron.

Step 4. is to install the exhaust ring and pipes, intake scoop and cowl.

The exhaust ring and the lower intake scoop is place under the nose just ahead of the wing attachment point.

The cowl flaps are attached to each side of the cowl. Then the cowl is attached to the air frame.

Now with the cowl installed with the engine. More detail work to follow as we start adding some feathers.

More to follow.

Looking good, Chuck. In the photos it looks like you have several more builds in line.

Great piece, Chuck! @uscusn Although I went Army, thanks to my Dad, I like to echo something YOU say: "Fly Navy." And the Skyraider is one of my favorite aircraft of all time. I like to think of them as B-17s with only one engine, and fewer guns! The max load for this aircraft is pretty amazing (at least to me!) for a single-engine machine.

I'll be watching this one closely!

Thanks Spiros, though an older kit now, (time is such a blur these day, my ride in the Tomcat feel like it was yesterday, yet it was 30 years ago). But some have not built this kit as yet like me and sharing the joy of building it is part of that joy.

Yes George I have the factory producing full tilt. in 48th and 72nd scale projects along with some armor, with 4 more coming online soon.

Andrew that is a very interesting point, as not only are the exhaust stacks mounted differently but even the forward section of fuselage is different as well. My kit is one that was bought in the late 90's. Out of curiosity now aroused I will check the Tam Air force Sandy and see how the exhaust system is assembled in that kit. Since that kit was produced a bit after the Navy version.

Andrew that makes sense. Keeping the updated molding to accommodate the powered kit that is now sold. That will explain the change.

Tamiya must have some of the best-designed kits on earth. Looking forward to the paint and decals.

Thanks George and Spiros, the right amount of detail and parts count to build a great replica of the subject. A great base to enhance with AM parts if you wish or just convert it to a different variant.

With the wing installed, time to work on the horizontal tail.

These are molded in a neutral position so some modification will be needed if you want to pose them drooped down. Detail is excellent.

Each stab once assembled slip neatly into the slot in the tail. Nice firm fit, insuring perfect alignment and level.

Tamiya does give you several options to display the dive brakes open, and drop the flaps. I will leave the brakes close but will drop the flaps on this build. Give it a bit of character.

The flaps are in 2 pieces for a total of 4 to build a pair. Then 2 actuators are also supplied to display in the full down position.

Each are assembled before the arms are attached.

First I place the flap into the wing for a test fit, then attach each arm to set the correct angle.

The fit is good but careful in handling as this is all whats holding the flap in place. So careful handling through the end of the build process will need to be taken.

Next the rear steps will be installed at this point. Most of the time I usually save this step towards the final detail bits added after painting and decals. Usually the point when installing the landing gear step. But these are sturdy and will just go ahead and put them on.

While killing time I decided to build the center drop tank. Now this is the first time that Tamiya used a unique and great idea to give you the option to insert the polycaps into not only the drop tanks but also the 1000ilbs as well so you can just push them in and pull them off.

Those flaps look great. And nice job on the gearbays too! (I know, I'm a few posts behind, but then there were more to see)