Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: finsrin on January 21, 2019, 05:16:55 PM

Title: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 21, 2019, 05:16:55 PM
Unusual how this build got started.  Found box in stash full of built mostly 1/72 ruff models bought at IPMS swap meet couple years ago.  Was cutting off good stuff to put in parts bins and maybe use later.  Parts are scattered about on desk when suddenly notice the parts in picture near each other right in front of me.  As if asking to be kitbashed together versus indefinitely languishing in parts bins.  Wings exactly fit length of root opening in fuselage.  Tail wings exactly fit rear openings.  OOB landing gear is fine.  Parts are from 1/72 Mosquito, F-84F and 1/113 B-47.
Naming this jet "Volunteer" cuz the parts volunteered.  No concept formulation and parts hunting involved.

Plastic surgery is minor.
>>  Replace Mosquito rudder with F-84F rudder.
>>  Bit of putty filing above-below wings.
>>  Cut taper section off rear of jets.  Add straight afterburner section.  Attach to fuselage A-10 style.

Paint and markings have to be figured out and done.  Need to write briefing page.  Research shows A-30 designation available.
See attached pictures:
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: FAAMAN on January 21, 2019, 05:35:01 PM
Cool  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 21, 2019, 09:43:28 PM
In work pics.  Prior was taped together.  Wings and tail now glued on.  Decals removed.  One jet engine assembled.
Lost left tail wing.  Raided a kit for replacement.  Looks thinner sleeker in person than in this photo.  More transonic.
Working out for zero planning build.
See attached.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Some Duck with an Ultimax on January 21, 2019, 10:06:56 PM
This has the potential to be a really beautiful aircraft when complete!
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: kitnut617 on January 21, 2019, 10:28:00 PM
Watching this one Bill   :smiley:

Some time ago I was going to do a what-if Mosquito, I found that the spare nose of the RB-57 kit I had sort of fitted it quite well, (hmm, now where did I put that ----   ::)  )  It was a bit more streamlined than the original Mosquito nose.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Robomog on January 21, 2019, 11:24:07 PM
This is lookin really good

A definite luft 46 about it

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Kerick on January 21, 2019, 11:50:11 PM
This is really good. Amazing how the muse works sometimes. Any thoughts on markings yet?
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Brian da Basher on January 22, 2019, 02:35:21 AM
You've certainly captured lightning in a bottle there!

Great stuff, will watch with interest.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 22, 2019, 03:00:50 PM
Thank you for comments.
If read fine print above can see is strange how A-30 got started.  Plenty going on, not even considering another start.  1/72 and 1/144 B-47 engines wrong sizes - won't work.  But more rare 1/113 "appeared" and is perfect size.  Uncanny all being there at once and fitting/working.  Nuff said on that.
Yes, finished right can be sleeky, beautifulish, and cool.
RB-57 nose pictures well in mind's eye.
With parts ruffed together first time also had Luft 46 flashes.
Am open to paint suggestions.  1970s air superiority blue comes to mind.
Coming out of nowhere am watching as you are BdB.

Will put aside for now to consider any paint suggestions.  Is at that point.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Kerick on January 23, 2019, 01:41:14 AM
It strikes me as a Korean War era F-86/MiG 15 style. NMF with colorful stripes or fin flashes.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 23, 2019, 07:26:29 AM
It strikes me as a Korean War era F-86/MiG 15 style. NMF with colorful stripes or fin flashes.

Yes - see that working well.  Specialy if plastic was bare.  Definite 1950s style[ing].  Pass as USSR specially if add wing fences.
Not doing this.  But could be German Luft '46 in paint and markings.
Inclined to make most of current camo with touchups.  Gray or air superiority bluish underside.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Brian da Basher on January 23, 2019, 07:28:59 AM
I keep seeing it in Vietnam-era camo, Seems a short step from what you've already got, especially if you swap out the Vietnam-era sand for the gray that's already there.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 24, 2019, 03:16:56 AM
It strikes me as a Korean War era F-86/MiG 15 style. NMF with colorful stripes or fin flashes.

Did not do well with camo.  Am trying this Kerick !
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Brian da Basher on January 24, 2019, 07:12:13 AM
Sometimes when things go wrong, I try to think of them as pointing me in a better direction.

You can't go wrong with that slick 1950's look!

Might need more tail fins though.
 ;D ;D
Brian da Basher
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Acree on January 24, 2019, 07:29:22 AM
It's reminiscent (to me anyway) of an early version of the Ryan Firebee:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4835/39890109633_8d415886c2.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/23LXeQV)Firebee (https://flic.kr/p/23LXeQV) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 26, 2019, 10:38:49 PM
Paint is progressing.  1950s silver it is.

After camo disaster cleanup and a botched silver paint cleanup now have decent silver paint.  New can of Tamiya AS-12.  Canopy masking still on.  Color accents and decals ahead.
Any BTS suggestions for color of jet engines mounted A-10 style ?

see attached
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Brian da Basher on January 27, 2019, 12:28:31 AM
Wow looks super sleek in silver!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Kerick on January 27, 2019, 03:32:14 AM
Nice!!!!
Looks very 50s. Now it needs some cool stripes like this.

https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/761668/nx86fr-private-north-american-f-86-sabre/ (https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/761668/nx86fr-private-north-american-f-86-sabre/)

Or this.

https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/763650/nx188rl-warbird-heritage-foundation-north-american-f-86-sabre/ (https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/763650/nx188rl-warbird-heritage-foundation-north-american-f-86-sabre/)
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: The Big Gimper on January 27, 2019, 06:45:58 AM
Paint is progressing.  1950s silver it is.

After camo disaster cleanup and a botched silver paint cleanup now have decent silver paint.  New can of Tamiya AS-12.  Canopy masking still on.  Color accents and decals ahead.
Any BTS suggestions for color of jet engines mounted A-10 style ?

see attached

Sexy in Silver! I love AS-12. One of my favourite colours.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: FAAMAN on January 27, 2019, 07:07:17 AM
Very niceso far, looks very Fw Ta183  8)
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 28, 2019, 12:14:02 AM
Distressing when your picture is taken while your wing tips are in masking tape.
Ready to paint wing-tail tips but what color.
Preparing AGM-12B Bullpup for outside pylon on each wing.
Need to decide colors and paint jet engines.  Can color coordinate with wing tips.

See attached



Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: kitnut617 on January 28, 2019, 12:39:09 AM
Where abouts are you going to place the engines Bill ? not to close to the tail end I would think ---
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 28, 2019, 01:29:39 AM
Along top-sides of fuselage A-10 style.  Have 1/100 A-10 could use engines mounting pylon from if looks to work.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Frank3k on January 28, 2019, 03:09:07 AM
Red or artic orange for the wingtips? This is look great, Bill - although it looks more like a British than American design.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 28, 2019, 05:50:50 PM
Taking on '50s look.  Paint looks better in person than photos.  Does point out painty things to improve.
First time covering canopy with Liquid Mask.  Worked okay.
Jet engine work is next.  Will check out 1/100 A-10 mount for possibe use.
Should have 50 cal barrels around here for nose.
Read and appreciate all your comments.  Good points were made.  Thanks.
Does look part German and part British at same time and here I go doing USAF.

see attached
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Brian da Basher on January 29, 2019, 06:22:23 AM
You have enviable paint skills indeed!

I always find silver/NMF the most challenging of finishes, even more difficult than the Dreaded Yellow.

Yours looks very well done indeed!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on January 29, 2019, 08:44:34 AM
Pictures oh so carefully taken so as to hide paint defects.

Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Robomog on January 30, 2019, 03:22:34 PM
Your honesty is to be applauded because from my viewpoint the paint work looks spot on.

Agree with BrIan, metallics, especially silver, and yellow are a pig to brush paint I frequently whimp out and use rattle cans.

Build is looking good, very 50's

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on February 05, 2019, 02:27:38 PM
Thanks Mog.
Moving along...  just about decal time.

see attached
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: kitnut617 on February 05, 2019, 10:50:30 PM
Alright !!!!!!      :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Brian da Basher on February 06, 2019, 04:58:48 AM
That engine placement makes it look even sleeker!

Lovin' it!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: elmayerle on February 06, 2019, 11:18:37 AM
^ What he said.  That's looking really sharp.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on February 06, 2019, 02:12:26 PM
A-30 Volunteer is done.
Never thought up this configuration.  Fortunate parts presented/volunteered themselves as they did.
57mm cannon barrel is metal tube bit from craft store meant for jewelry.  Also comes in goldish.
Dug around in decal bin and found this mix.  Striped decal below jets was on F-86A marked sheet.  It fit perfect, zero trimming, was meant to be like other parts.
Looks hard core 50s early 60s to me.    Might yet get an IFR probe.

First bunch of photos attached.  More and briefing page in next posting.
Bill
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on February 06, 2019, 02:37:44 PM
More pictures and briefing attached.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: arctic warrior on February 07, 2019, 12:10:29 AM
 8)
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: kitnut617 on February 07, 2019, 02:03:36 AM
Whiff-orgasm    :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Kerick on February 07, 2019, 02:21:17 AM
Amazing how this came together for you! The stripes add a great touch.
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Brian da Basher on February 07, 2019, 04:22:58 AM
That's one of the coolest things I've seen all day!

Super sleek and you totally nailed the color/marking scheme!

A winner all the way!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Robomog on February 07, 2019, 06:43:00 AM
This has come out really well, nice one!  :smiley:

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: finsrin on February 08, 2019, 06:38:46 AM
Thanks for following along with me as these volunteering parts came to be an A-30.
Your appreciation of this build is appreciated.  Another something different sitting on tarmac.
Remember a few '50's commercials with a car parked in front of jet fighter.  A-30 is suitable for that.
I get B-47 vibes from fuselage appearance.

Title: Re: A-30 Volunteer
Post by: Frank3k on February 08, 2019, 08:05:23 AM
It definitely looks like a 50's jet. I love the twin engines on the back.