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Vigilante - The Practical Kind

Started by Spino, July 01, 2025, 06:22:30 AM

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PR19_Kit

#30
July 06, 2025, 04:57:47 AM
Nah, A-5Bs don't really count as 'bombers' even if they are. The REAL ones have narrow backs.  ;D
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

Gondor

#31
July 06, 2025, 05:28:04 AM
There have been articles in various places on how to convert the Hasegawa kit into an A version.
My Ability to Imagine is only exceeded by my Imagined Abilities

Gondor's Modelling Rule Number Three: Everything will fit perfectly untill you apply glue...

I know it's in a book I have around here somewhere....

Spino

#32
July 08, 2025, 06:17:10 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 06, 2025, 04:57:47 AMNah, A-5Bs don't really count as 'bombers' even if they are. The REAL ones have narrow backs.  ;D

Well, if I recall correctly, none of them ever actually carried bombs in practice anyway.

I'm conflicted about what time period to set this one in.  Mid '70s would let me mount AIM-9Hs on the LAU-7 rails that I added to the outer wings, but it might be too early for the AGM-123s that I'm planning to mount on it.
Regards, Spino

What if modeling, flight sim and 3D printing enthusiast
Link to my 3D-printed model accessories (all files are free): https://www.thingiverse.com/spinoee/designs

chrisonord

#33
July 08, 2025, 06:40:57 AM
I built a twin tail vigilante about 15is years ago, using f-18 tail fins. It's a no service during the early 2000's, with low viz markings, and armed with SRAM 's. It was the trumpeter kit. I also put bigger exhaust nozzles on it too.
The dogs philosophy on life.
If you cant eat it hump it or fight it,
Pee on it and walk away!!

chrisonord

#34
July 08, 2025, 06:43:44 AM
Here it is. I put a different nose on it too.
The dogs philosophy on life.
If you cant eat it hump it or fight it,
Pee on it and walk away!!

PR19_Kit

#35
July 08, 2025, 07:17:11 AM
Oh yeah Chris, I LIKE that, a LOT!  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

How did the Trumpeter kit go together?
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

Spino

#36
July 08, 2025, 08:13:15 AM
Mine is also a Trumpeter kit, it definitely has more detail than the Revell models I'm used to, but the fit and finish wasn't bad.
Regards, Spino

What if modeling, flight sim and 3D printing enthusiast
Link to my 3D-printed model accessories (all files are free): https://www.thingiverse.com/spinoee/designs

chrisonord

#37
July 08, 2025, 09:48:38 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 08, 2025, 07:17:11 AMOh yeah Chris, I LIKE that, a LOT!  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

How did the Trumpeter kit go together?
I read that they are not a good kit to build, but from what I remember, it wasn't that bad.
The dogs philosophy on life.
If you cant eat it hump it or fight it,
Pee on it and walk away!!

Scotaidh

#38
July 08, 2025, 01:54:35 PM
It appears to be a cousin of the MiG-25 ...
Thistle dew, Pig - thistle dew!

Where am I going?  And why am I in a handbasket?

It's dark in the dark when it's dark. Ancient Ogre Proverb

"All right, boyz - the plan iz 'Win.'  And if ya lose, it's yer own fault 'coz ya didn't follow the plan."

Spino

#39
July 08, 2025, 02:26:52 PM
Yeah after seeing that A3J mockup with twin tails I can't help but wonder if the Soviets decided to take that basic layout, delete the bomb bay and deepen the fuselage to make space for MUCH bigger engines, and the result was the MiG-25  ;D
Regards, Spino

What if modeling, flight sim and 3D printing enthusiast
Link to my 3D-printed model accessories (all files are free): https://www.thingiverse.com/spinoee/designs

Spino

#40
July 08, 2025, 04:29:03 PM
Quote from: chrisonord on July 08, 2025, 06:43:44 AMHere it is. I put a different nose on it too.

After seeing that it makes me want to redo mine with a more modern low-viz scheme, but I feel committed now after having put three coats of white on the underside!
Regards, Spino

What if modeling, flight sim and 3D printing enthusiast
Link to my 3D-printed model accessories (all files are free): https://www.thingiverse.com/spinoee/designs

Spino

#41
July 31, 2025, 02:57:39 PM
The Vigilante has its canopies back on.  The pilot figure is from a Revell F-15C (the kit that I built as an F-15X).  Since I needed a pilot with an HMS for that build, the kit pilot was surplus to requirements but fits perfectly in the Vigilante's front seat.  I painted his helmet red and white, since the Vigilante will have some red in its squadron markings.  I still have some of the original kit decals that I plan to use on it (I used the other squadron option that came with the kit and those degraded rather badly without any clear coat on them).  Not quite sure what I'll do about the roundels yet, maybe subdued grey and white ones to indicate a partial transition to a low-viz paint scheme?

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I had a near disaster while trying to drill the hole for the laser turret.  I made the mistake of using a drill-driver with a 5/16" drill bit instead of just using my Dremel with a spiral bit, and the resulting tear-out was rather terrifying.  It snapped the recce canoe fairing almost completely in two and caused a split in the underside of the model.  Thankfully it's nothing a little glue and PSR won't fix, but still a scary experience with a model this expensive!  After fixing it, I came back with the right tools for the job and got the turret installed.  It's from a LANTIRN targeting pod in the Hasegawa Aircraft Weapons D kit.  The hole was a little too big so I had to fill it with putty, once I get that sanded down I'll paint the turret.  Not sure I want it to be white like the rest of the underside, I might make it grey just for some contrast.  Anyway, here it is.  That little turret looks positively tiny on the Vigilante, especially compared to the one on the Pave Tack pod I fitted to my F-107!

You cannot view this attachment.
Regards, Spino

What if modeling, flight sim and 3D printing enthusiast
Link to my 3D-printed model accessories (all files are free): https://www.thingiverse.com/spinoee/designs

Rick Lowe

#42
July 31, 2025, 10:06:04 PM
Yeah, the 'Oops, too far' or 'Shoulda used the Right Tool the First Time' thing has caught most of us now and again...  :banghead:
Good you were able to avert disaster.  :thumbsup:

Spino

#43
August 01, 2025, 06:21:49 AM
Quote from: Rick Lowe on July 31, 2025, 10:06:04 PMYeah, the 'Oops, too far' or 'Shoulda used the Right Tool the First Time' thing has caught most of us now and again...  :banghead:
Good you were able to avert disaster.  :thumbsup:

No kidding!  Grabbing that drill instead of the Dremel could be considered the equivalent of using a sledgehammer to solve a problem that a rubber mallet would have been more than sufficient for!  I'm just glad it didn't do as much damage as it could have.
Regards, Spino

What if modeling, flight sim and 3D printing enthusiast
Link to my 3D-printed model accessories (all files are free): https://www.thingiverse.com/spinoee/designs

Rick Lowe

#44
August 02, 2025, 07:25:44 PM
Quote from: Spino on August 01, 2025, 06:21:49 AMI'm just glad it didn't do as much damage as it could have.

Definitely!
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