DONE @ p.6 +++ 1:72 N. A. EA-5D „(Electric) Vigilante”

Dizzyfugu · February 17, 2026, 11:35:28 PM

This what-if project had been lingering for a long time in the back of my mind, and I shoved it a side for years because of the model's sheer size that eats up a lot of display space – even though I had the hardware already stashed away, collecting dust. While the build was rather inspired by its livery (see below) I wondered why the Vigilante, an elegant and impressive aircraft, had not been adapted to the ECM role? The concept of a supersonic penetrator/protector aircraft was realized by the USAF with the EF-111A Raven, but in the Vigilante's time frame, the Vietnam War, esp. its end phase, an escort for fast USN attack aircraft might have made sense, so that I tried to mate the RA-5C with contemporary ECM technology and typical details – and the result became the fictional EA-5D.

1:72 North American EA-5D ,,(Electric) Vigilante"; U.S. Navy VAQ-135 "Black Ravens"; NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Washington), 1985 (Whif/modified Trumpeter kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

With this idea the model became only a conversion of a basic airframe, not a spectacular kitbashing. Since I knew the Hasegawa RA-5C and its underwhelming quality/detail, I settled for the Trumpeter kit – a MUCH better but also a bit über-complicated offering. It is, however, better in any respect, even though you can ask why the cockpit has to consist of no less than thirty (!) parts (including seats and dashboard films), and the pylons as well as even the thin stabilizers and the fin have to consist of halves? One can also wonder why the kit comes with four(!) free-fall nukes but none of the RA-5C's typical 400 gallon drop tanks? The kit features the type's underwing flare dispensers, though. If there is something to criticize it's the lack of air intake ducts – behind the wedge-shaped intakes and their ramps there is nothing inside the fuselage. Since I did not want to put too much effort into that flaw I simple blocked sight into the model's body with a bulkhead made from black foamed styrene.
Everything goes together quite well, except for the fuselage halves which appear somewhat warped, and the rather massive plastic makes work easy. Despite this splendor of material, the sandwich leading and trailing edges are surprisingly thin and look pretty good.

1:72 North American EA-5D ,,(Electric) Vigilante"; U.S. Navy VAQ-135 "Black Ravens"; NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Washington), 1985 (Whif/modified Trumpeter kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

kitbasher · February 18, 2026, 01:54:27 AM

An alternative to the EA-6A, then?

PR19_Kit · February 18, 2026, 01:58:00 AM

What's not like about ANY Vigi variant?

Dizzyfugu · February 18, 2026, 02:23:39 AM

Quote from: kitbasher on February 18, 2026, 01:54:27 AMAn alternative to the EA-6A, then?

Yes, somewhat - at least with the same technology on board. Heavy metal.

Dizzyfugu · February 18, 2026, 07:06:51 AM

A little more progress!

1:72 North American EA-5D ,,(Electric) Vigilante"; U.S. Navy VAQ-135 "Black Ravens"; NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Washington), 1985 (Whif/modified Trumpeter kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 North American EA-5D ,,(Electric) Vigilante"; U.S. Navy VAQ-135 "Black Ravens"; NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Washington), 1985 (Whif/modified Trumpeter kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Esp. the first pic creates a sudden urge to add delta wings and twin fins, for a kind of "Baby XB-70"?

HarryPhishnuts · February 18, 2026, 08:47:11 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on February 18, 2026, 07:06:51 AMEsp. the first pic creates a sudden urge to add delta wings and twin fins, for a kind of "Baby XB-70"?

Or leave the single vertical stabilizer and you start looking like a F-108 if you squint hard enough

Dizzyfugu · February 18, 2026, 11:54:38 PM

Quote from: HarryPhishnuts on February 18, 2026, 08:47:11 AM
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on February 18, 2026, 07:06:51 AMEsp. the first pic creates a sudden urge to add delta wings and twin fins, for a kind of "Baby XB-70"?

Or leave the single vertical stabilizer and you start looking like a F-108 if you squint hard enough

Agree!

At the moment nothing new to show, deep into PSRing the hull. Fit of the body halves is rather mediocre, and I try out parts and positions for some sensor bulges and a different ventral canoe fairing.

Captain Canada · February 19, 2026, 03:20:30 AM

Nice !

Dizzyfugu · February 20, 2026, 12:13:19 AM

Little progress, but new things to show/share: The new/different ventral fairing is in place, together with a pair of extra strakes for more stability, as well some extra antenna blisters, and I have dry-fitted the modified fin to check the overall look.

1:72 North American EA-5D ,,(Electric) Vigilante"; U.S. Navy VAQ-135 "Black Ravens"; NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Washington), 1985 (Whif/modified Trumpeter kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

PR19_Kit · February 20, 2026, 01:33:32 AM

That's looking pretty darn smart Thomas.

Dizzyfugu · February 20, 2026, 01:58:28 AM

I try my best to make it look plausible.

But it's so HUGE...!

Dizzyfugu · February 21, 2026, 11:55:34 PM

Again, not much more to show, but progress is steady. Landing gear has been completed and is about to turn white, the new tail cone requires some more attention, and I am in the process of adding antennae/fairings to the hull. Dry-fitting of the clear parts and the stabilizers is also underway. However, major painting phase visible on the horizon.

1:72 North American EA-5D ,,(Electric) Vigilante"; U.S. Navy VAQ-135 "Black Ravens"; NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Washington), 1985 (Whif/modified Trumpeter kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

McColm · February 22, 2026, 12:15:48 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on February 21, 2026, 11:55:34 PMAgain, not much more to show, but progress is steady. Landing gear has been completed and is about to turn white, the new tail cone requires some more attention, and I am in the process of adding antennae/fairings to the hull. Dry-fitting of the clear parts and the stabilizers is also underway. However, major painting phase visible on the horizon.

1:72 North American EA-5D ,,(Electric) Vigilante"; U.S. Navy VAQ-135 "Black Ravens"; NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Washington), 1985 (Whif/modified Trumpeter kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 North American EA-5D ,,(Electric) Vigilante"; U.S. Navy VAQ-135 "Black Ravens"; NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor, Washington), 1985 (Whif/modified Trumpeter kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

looking good

PR19_Kit · February 22, 2026, 02:00:33 AM

I've always thought the Vigi a VERY attractive aeroplane, very well proportioned and it looks like it's doing Mach 2 just SITTING there!

Dizzyfugu · February 22, 2026, 04:56:09 AM

Yes, it's an elegant machine - esp. the sleeker A-5A and in the air with everything tucked up! But it's HUGE!

Detail work makes further progress, and I worked on the ordnance, too.