A few years back, a good friend (thanks a million, amigo!) sent me a bagged 1/72 MPC/Airfix Douglas A1D Skyraider. Here's the MPC/Airfix box art I found online and you've got to admit, they had a real talent for catching the action back then.
My example was missing the canopy and cowling. Luckily, I had a Banshee canopy and an Airfix Devastator cowling that needed a little work. While the cowl was setting, I found some sprue and converted it into under-wing recoilless rifles. I used kabuki tape for the breeches and only wish I'd made them thicker by wrapping it twice. Spare bits were used for the ammo feed chutes and Soviet bomb shackles made up the front support struts.
I also thought the tail wheel needed a door with strut:
I used a grunge wash to dirty it up. You never see clean Skyraider wheels and I figured Studebaker-Packard would be no different.
After this, it was off to the paint shop. I started with a coat of Model Masters Light Sea Gray acrylic up top and Poly Scale Reefer White down below.
The second camo color was a custom mix approximating W.W. I RAF PC-10. The Banshee canopy that fit like a charm was tinted on the inside with Insignia Blue.
The bombs and HVARs were painted Dark Olive and the rifles were given a custom, weathered OD mix.
The decals were a mix. The Cambodian markings are refugees from a Roundels of the World Sheet Mr Fontaine sent me ages ago (many thanks, Jeff!) that were over-laid on spare U.S. stars-n-bars.
That banner is a RVNAF Skyraider squadron marking from an AOA decals "Vietnamese SPADS" sheet. Out of respect for the original squadron, I defaced it by adding blue cheat lines on the sides. I think this gave it a more Cambodian look.
Before I forget, here's the "money shots", U.S. penny for scale.
I want to take a moment not only to thank the kind soul who sent me the kit but also Bill who sent me the kits that gave up their canopy and cowling. A special shout-out to Mr Gimper who sprang to the rescue by sending me replacement Airfix Skyraider cowling, engine, prop and canopy. While I didn't end out needing them, knowing I had them gave me the freedom to go with my original plan and not worry if I stuffed it up. Thanks a million, Carl! You always come through in a pinch!
I almost forgot to note that the prop is from a P-47 and that little aerial in back is half of a W.W. II radar antenna. I also rounded off the Skyraider fin and rudder and got rid of the tail hook housing since Cambodia lacks a deep-water navy.
I've been working on this for the last couple of weeks in fits and starts as time allowed. It was a lot of fun and gave me a chance to add the unusual load-out and a bit of weathering.
I hope you enjoyed the Studebaker-Packard Aero Division XSP-1A and reading a little more forgotten aircraft history even if the so-called "experts" refuse to believe the Year Zero SPAD ever was and think the whole story just won't fly.
Brian da Basher
