Friday, May 24, 2019

Aircraft walkaround vol.104: Douglas F3D-2 Skyknight


Subject: Douglas F3D-2 Skyknight
Location: National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida, 2018.
Comments:The Douglas F3D Skyknight (later designated F-10 Skyknight) is an American twin-engine, mid-wing jet fighter aircraft manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo, California. The F3D was designed as a carrier-based all-weather night fighter and saw service with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The mission of the F3D was to search out and destroy enemy aircraft at night. The F3D Skyknight was never produced in great numbers but it did achieve many firsts in its role as a night fighter over Korea. While it never achieved the fame of the North American F-86 Sabre, it did down several Soviet-built MiG-15s as a night fighter over Korea with only one air-to-air loss of its own against a Chinese MiG-15, which occurred on the night of 29 May 1953. The Skyknight played an important role in the development of the radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow missile which led to further guided air-to-air missile developments. It also served as an electronic warfare platform in the Vietnam War as a precursor to the EA-6A Intruder and EA-6B Prowler. The aircraft is sometimes unofficially called "Skynight", dropping the second "k". The unusual, portly profile earned it the nickname "Willie the Whale". Some Vietnam War U.S. Marine veterans have referred to the Skyknight as "Drut", whose meaning becomes obvious when read backwards. This may be in reference to its age, unflattering looks or its low-slung air intakes that made it vulnerable to foreign object damage (FOD).
















Saturday, May 11, 2019

Military Aircraft Vol. 95: Lavochkin La250 Anakonda




Subject:
Lavochkin La 250 Anakonda
Scale:
1/72
Manufacturer:
Amodel
Price
US$ 40,00 plus shipping
Description
Injected plastic model with waterslide decals.
Comments
This is Amodel's La250 in 1/72 scale. This is another rare Soviet bird released by Amodel, a manufacturer that has a huge line of unusual subjects. The kits are of a short run kind, with flash and alignment problems. The manufacturer recommends the kits only to experienced modelers, but i must say that you need more patience then experience. Fit was difficult in most areas, surface is rough and panel lines were a little bit too soft, but if you want a La250, this is the only game in town and don't expect a Tamiya or Hasegawa release on this subject anytime soon. The model was built out of the box and painted with Tamiya acrylics. I re-scribed the hole kit after assembly so the panel lines would have a more constant aspect. Decals are ok, a bit too matt once displayed on the kit, but react well to setting solutions. It was a pleasure to get this kit done, and i hope you like it. There are more coming!