This is AMT-Ertl's fantastic ES-3A Shadow kit, which was built straight out of the box to represent a Viking. This kit has been well thought out, in the fact that you could build either a Shadow or Viking. I didn't use any of the decals supplied, instead I found Aeromaster's sheets 48-573 for the markings and 148-031 for the stencilling. I was also very fortunate to get some non-slip areas supplied by CAM decals (sheet 48-107B), as Areomaster's didn't fit to well around the base of the vertical stab. The markings represent VS-32 "Maulers" on their '92 cruise on board USS America. These also contained checkerboards for the front and rear of the drop-tank, but I stuffed them up badly. At least you can learn from your mistakes!
My kit was built to represent the "B" model, which was done quite simply. An extra air vent decal was added on the port side diagonally below and behind the star and bar. Chaff/flare dispensers were added either side of the aircraft and also underneath behind the main gear doors. Lastly, the ESM antennas on the wing tips had a square frame painted around them. Simple! This article link to Hyperscale is also very helpful; <http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/updatingyourvikingbs_1.htm> All paint used was Humbrol and was brushed on. The only issue with this kit is that the plans don't call for ballast to be added to the nose. I got around by "blue tacking" the tail hook down to the surface, so anyone building this model has to be aware of this issue. All in all, a fantastic kit to build and display. Could easily build quite a few more, but space is my limitation. Well worth investing in this kit if you can find it. Don't know what Italeri has done to the mouldings, hopefully not much at all.
Photos and text © 2005 by Andrew George May 27, 2005 |
