RA-5C Vigilante
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/9/3/2/1532932-69465-36-720.jpg)
Closed up in a dry fit and you might see what I'm intending to improve. Lots of detail missing here.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/9/2/6/1532926-69465-79-720.jpg)
The top of the intake is reasonably sized, I'll see about what the reference drawings suggest.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/9/2/2/1532922-69465-22-720.jpg)
My challenges will begin with addressing some off-center and overly thick intake trunks. I'm also going to need to work some scratch build variable intake ramps.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/9/2/4/1532924-69465-26-720.jpg)
The leading edge extension makes this a later Vigilante. Better modelers than I have cut these back to fashion the early A model. I'll keep it as is.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/9/2/5/1532925-69465-48-720.jpg)
The "bomb" bay is going to need some contour work to fashion the step demonstrated by the real craft. I don't think I can paint this in place. Some trimming will be necessary.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/9/2/7/1532927-69465-56-720.jpg)
Here's a better view of the main gear. The strut is to fit into the molded slot. Strong glue joint to be sure, but leaves a lot to be desired for detail.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/9/2/8/1532928-69465-15-720.jpg)
Regretfully, the doors are not molded to fit this space, they are too think and cannot be trimmed to fit the curvature. If I seal it, I'll have to use putty.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/9/2/1/1532921-69465-71-720.jpg)
As you can see, the main gear bay are not inset. I wonder if I can cut away and scratch build some bay material. Or shall I just make this an in-flight model.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/9/2/9/1532929-69465-60-720.jpg)
The seam though is fairly good without any pressure. Once I do put a clamp force on it, this tightens up to leave a bare gap. Should be ok to conceal.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/9/3/4/1532934-69465-39-720.jpg)
Glad I was still able to source the RetroWings cockpit. Here's a couple views of the kit version alongside.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/9/3/5/1532935-69465-24-720.jpg)
Ordering from RetroWings was great btw. I bought a couple other things for future projects and can't wait to dive in. Very nicely detailed cockpit, a wash will look great in there.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/9/3/6/1532936-69465-60-720.jpg)
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/9/3/7/1532937-69465-64-720.jpg)
Nose gear bay suffers from the same issues as the main gear. The bay is too shallow and while I was able to find a few walk around photos. I'm thinking more and more that I'll simply seal it up and make this an in-flight model.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/9/3/8/1532938-69465-48-720.jpg)
Regretfully, the underside of the cockpit has some surface issues. I'll seal and sand this a bit when I work on the closed bay.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/9/3/9/1532939-69465-59-720.jpg)
Here I have taped off the main gear bay and a molded slot for the lower door. Now to loosen up my putty and get to work.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/1/4/0/1558140-69465-54-720.jpg)
The inner walls of the intake needed to be completed as they were not molded all the way up. Some plastic card served the purpose.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/1/1/9/1558119-69465-46-720.jpg)
I then came in and shaped it until it fit against the upper fuselage.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/1/1/8/1558118-69465-69-720.jpg)
A little putty to smooth the joint should do it. I'll come in later to create the intake ramps.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/1/3/9/1558139-69465-82-720.jpg)
I made the inner wall purposely higher so I could ease down by shaping and sanding.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/1/4/1/1558141-69465-74-720.jpg)
almost there.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/1/2/3/1558123-69465-57-720.jpg)
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/1/4/2/1558142-69465-89-720.jpg)
Showing the intake closed and ready for assembly.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/1/0/5/1558105-69465-93-720.jpg)
Yea, that'll do.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/1/0/8/1558108-69465-20-720.jpg)
I shot primer on the model after filling the gaps so that I could better see my progress.
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/1/0/4/1558104-69465-58-720.jpg)
I don't have card to fill it. Maybe epoxy putty?
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/1/4/5/1558145-69465-99-720.jpg)
Test fit of the kit nose section.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/1/4/4/1558144-69465-19-720.jpg)
And a test fit of the aftermarket nose. A review I read noted the gap present and I saw that too. I'll have to even that out as best I can.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/1/3/3/1558133-69465-49-720.jpg)
I hope I didn't take too much off the area behind the rear cockpit canopy.
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/1/0/7/1558107-69465-53-720.jpg)
Ended up with a sizable step in the port fuselage where the nose connects.
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/1/3/2/1558132-69465-60-720.jpg)
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/1/2/9/1558129-69465-78-720.jpg)
A little better on the starboard. I hate filling steps.
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/1/1/1/1558111-69465-67-720.jpg)
The tail section is pretty poorly modeled.
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/1/3/1/1558131-69465-17-720.jpg)
Getting there.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/1/0/6/1558106-69465-65-720.jpg)
I didn't like the way that door looked. It wasn't smooth enough so I put on another layer of filler and reshot the primer coat.
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/1/1/2/1558112-69465-47-720.jpg)
I worked my way around with a chisel knife to try and get the step that is present on the rear birds.
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/1/3/5/1558135-69465-88-720.jpg)
Trying a couple different angles to catch the light. Small pock marks require polishing in between shoots so that I can mark them and apply small, direct filler without compromising the surrounding details.
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/1/3/6/1558136-69465-18-720.jpg)
Here's my progress on the port main gear door.
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/1/1/7/1558117-69465-79-720.jpg)
Continuing my hatred with the back and forth of filler, primer and sanding. But at least I can see the progress.
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/1/1/5/1558115-69465-14-720.jpg)
Here's the starboard gear door.
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/1/2/7/1558127-69465-14-720.jpg)
Coming back to the nose transition.
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/1/3/0/1558130-69465-98-720.jpg)
I also resurfaced the underside of the nose and nose gear while I was here. I'm going to hate scribing. I'm not good at it.
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/9/1/4/1630914-69465-97-720.jpg)
I added these ramps to the intakes to better match the real intake profiles.
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/9/1/5/1630915-69465-95-720.jpg)
There's a few R-5s in static display that show the ramps in reasonable detail.
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/9/1/6/1630916-69465-12-720.jpg)
I had to add card stock to the sides of the intake to build up the interior and then trimmed card to fit the width if a little longer than was really needed.
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/9/1/7/1630917-69465-93-720.jpg)
I pre-folded the card stock and then used CA glue to secure the forward connection.
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/9/1/8/1630918-69465-93-720.jpg)
For final positioning I used pick from the front and dowel inserted from the open engine nozzle at the rear to get the ramp angle just right.
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/9/1/9/1630919-69465-29-720.jpg)
It was quite a challenging task.
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/9/4/9/1630949-69465-10-720.jpg)
And on to the cockpit. I did have to source the spares box for the pilot and order a RIO from eBay. Both took some surgery to fit, but it's alright.
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/9/5/0/1630950-69465-69-720.jpg)
I lost the overhead ejection handles though. I should have waited until final detailing. There was little hope that they wouldn't have survived being covered from the painting.
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/9/4/8/1630948-69465-40-720.jpg)
The detail available from Retrowings lends it self well to dry brushing and highlights to capture the raised instruments. But I'm going to have a job ahead of me to trim out the canopies. The front windshield looks alright though I hope.
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/8/9/7/1650897-69465-55-720.jpg)
I used Vallejo Air paints for the SEA camouflage adjusting the dark green slightly for scale.
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/8/9/8/1650898-69465-15-720.jpg)
The pattern was free handed based on some photos and drawings online. I started with the tan, then medium and finally forest green.
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/8/9/9/1650899-69465-93-720.jpg)
I did run into some problems with overspray into the tan area, but I overshot that afterward and adjusted the airbrush settings and I think it came out okay.
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/9/0/1/1650901-69465-49-720.jpg)
I didn't worry so much about weathering. I just used a black panel wash to highlight the panel lines.
![Album image #55 Album image #55](/albums/img/9/0/2/1650902-69465-68-720.jpg)
Regretfully, the canopies met a poor end. I will need to use the provided formers from RetroWings and recreate them. That'll take some time, and I'll just have to be patient.
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/9/0/3/1650903-69465-72-720.jpg)
Yes, the rear fuel/bomb pod could have been painted differently. There are several variations available online. I went with simple having spent considerable work on this end already.
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/9/0/6/1650906-69465-16-720.jpg)
For the transition to the white underside, I used some specialty pinking sheers to cut masking tape.
![Album image #58 Album image #58](/albums/img/9/0/5/1650905-69465-34-720.jpg)
![Album image #59 Album image #59](/albums/img/9/0/7/1650907-69465-36-720.jpg)
Thanks for watching. Hope you like how this build turned out.
Commentaires
17 20 August 2023, 18:43
Album info
My build of the 1/144th scale ARII Vigilante. I'm excited about the kit. The build should come together quickly. Famous last words. Decals are going to be an issue though. The kit decals are pretty aweful, and there's part of me that wants to paint it in the SEA camo pattern. But I'm not sure I will get much in the way of decals online. A couple great references I'm going to be making use of include slideshare.net/Tahir..ican-a5-vigilantepdf and Aigore's build and gallery pices from Aircraft Resource Center arcforums.com/forums..ents#comment-1501433.