Click on Image for FULL RES
I won't lie to you: these are taking a long time - but, in defense of the castings these are also production "seconds" - variously having defects (note, for example the missing wingtip on one of the AJ-2s) disqualifying them for sale as standard, unblemished product stock. I like to salvage these, as I'm sure you can imagine, for use on my own builds - not only to avoid having to raid Matty's Models' supply of parts, but also to prevent perfectly useable parts going to waste - which is, of course quite satisfying. As many of you already know, I will also make Special Offer sales on these parts - generally at half-price (or less) - to any customers looking to do the same - for whom this build will also provide a graphic demonstration of just how excellent your results can be. (Really every bit as good as using the "angel-perfect", stock parts.)
Improved-version replacements include HSS SeaBat helicopters and (two variants of) "Long Canopy" SkyRaiders:
Click on Image to Enlarge
FULL RES
At left you can (fuzzily) see four of the (six) improved SkyRaiders: two replacement AD-5Ws (identifiable by their belly radomes), plus two (of four) new, additional AD-5Ns - in fact probably not accurate for Boxer at that time, but which I am adding nevertheless - just to show them off (see below).
At right, among the S2Fs note the second-furthest has a port wing broken right along the fold-joint - making zero difference to the final appearance, in which its wings will be folded anyway: I only tacked it back on here for convenience (especially in subsequent painting).
The following are some more and better views of the fixed-wing planes:
Click on Image to Enlarge
FULL RES---------FULL RES----
The five S2Fs remain the same, original-version casting, to add to the earlier complement (not shown) already in progress, bringing the total number of S2Fs to 19. (Plus or minus one C1 Trader COD plane - I haven't yet decided.) The excessive up-sweep (dihedral) in a some of their wings - which could easily have been bent back down, after soaking in boiled water - was not even corrected, as again all these wings will ultimately be folded, completely hiding any such difference(s). Likewise, already you probably didn't notice, at left, that the second-furthest had its entire tail broken off - and on the finished build I will defy anyone to identify it, from among the others!
Finally, the K/AJ-2 Savage tankers - what can you say about them - except that everybody loves 'em, not least of all me! The number of these on the flight deck will now be these three (up from one, as planned earlier).
All togther, the above are going to make for significantly more aircraft than planned earlier - the flight deck is going to be crowded - and I think you'll like it! So, stay tuned...
Cheers,
-Matty
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