This
is my Revell-Monogram EA-6B Prowler.
Enough
has been previously mentioned on these forums concerning the kit and
the aircraft itself, so I will not go into those details. This
United States Navy Prowler model represents BuNo. 161350 of VAQ -141 "Shadowhawks"
from the USS Enterprise, CVN-65.
A
list of aftermarket sets used were;
-
Black Box
Cockpit
-
Black Box Resin
Wheels
-
Cutting Edge
Correction Set
-
Cutting Edge
Wingfold Set
-
Cutting Edge
HARM Missile
-
Areomaster and
CAM Decals
-
Waldron Jet
Mirrors
Testors
Model Master enamel and acrylic paints were used for the TPS scheme.
Dark
Ghost Grey (FS 36320), Light Ghost Grey (FS 36375), and Medium Grey (FS 35237).
Weathering
was done with pastels, dry brushing, and an oil paint wash.
A
little bit of scratch building was required on this build. I
used some excellent techniques offered in EA-6B articles by Jim Rotramel, Darren
Roberts, and Marv Mays. New
support brackets were made and repositioned on the canopy framing, overhead
consoles were added to each canopy, a rain removal device on the
windscreen, and additional detail to the landing gear.
Many
photo references were used from internet sites, and the ARC Walkaround section.
EA-6B
books from Squadron and Detail and Scale were valuable resources as well.
I
used the clear canopies rather than the "yellow" ones. I lightly
tinted the canopies by dipping in a concoction of brown, red, and yellow food
coloring, mixed with Future. The
big Shadowhawk decal was a real challenge due to the complex shape of the tail.
A lot of cutting and setting solution was required to get it to lay down
properly. Then
some careful touch up painting to "feather" it all together.
Click on
images below to see larger images
I
have another Revell-Monogram EA-6B in the stash that I may do as a USMC Prowler.
Or,
I may just have to get the new USN release by Afterburner Decals, 48-028 Jammin'
Jihad. It
has a couple of very cool camouflage versions from units in Afghanistan
2006/2007. Fortunately,
I also have the Cutting Edge sets I purchased before Meteor closed their doors.
On
the next build, I will be installing Seamless Suckers intakes, and a wheel set
from Royale Resins. I
think I'm going to try doing deployed boarding platforms and ladders on both
sides too. Dave
Roof is said to be releasing a Prowler correction set sometime in the future.
I
may just hold of building the next one until then.
For
some reason I've always liked the Prowler. I guess because it's a little
different. I've heard some people refer to it as the "station wagon".
Whenever
I'm up in the Puget Sound area, I love watching and hearing them fly over from
NAS Whidbey Island. Maybe
one day there will be another, more accurate 1/48 Prowler offered by a model
company. And
if they really want to get with the program, a 1/32 rendition! Now were talkin'!
Pete
Click on
image below to see larger image
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