It's the Lee 1/72 kit, modeled after the Screwtops of VAW-123. I got a chance to meet Gil Rud last year, who commanded the USS Constellation in 93-94. Gil's daughter flies this airplane, but I never got her name. They are the only immediate family Navy aviators who have more than 100 traps on the same carrier!

The kit is OK. Fit wasn't bad, but the canopy was practically opaque. I sanded and polished it, but its still just OK. I used Klear for the fuselage portholes. The antenna masts looked pretty weak, so I made new ones out of hammered brass tube. The antennas are stretched sprue. The decals came with the kit, and were quite nice. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Photos and text © 2005 by Nick Monopoli

Sunday, March 20, 2005

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