This project centers around the Tamiya 1/48" A-1J kit, and is constructed as a center piece of a Vietnam Era diorama. The model is highly modified to correct many of the limitations of the original kit and to morph it better into the diorama setting.
The beginning
After market cockpit paint ready
Aftermarket cockpit painted
Detailed cockpit sides
Modified exhaust stacks
Antenna array
Seperated and modified control surfaces
Kit part on right, modified part on left
Lathe turned tail rotating beacon
Fully modified tailwheel unit
Mold for complete tailwheel
Completed modified tail wheel group
Unmodified kit strut parts on left, modified on right
Completely rebuilt main gear struts
How sandbag chocks were formed
Modifed wheel bay sides
Modified gear door on left, unmodified on right
Moodified wheel well from inside
Detailed wheel well, underside
Completed modified wheel well and struts
Right wing cannon bay mod started
Cannon bay wing ribs
Internal cannon bay detail begun
Scratchbuilt cannon
Scatchbuilt outer wing ammo can
Cannon bay ready for paint
completed cannon bay
Primer coat
Painting process
Detailed minigun and pylon
Initial fit up
Final fit up
