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This is AMT-Ertl's
fantastic ES-3A Shadow kit, which was built straight out of the box to represent
a Viking. This kit was extremely well thought out, in the fact that you could
build either variant. 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
Aeromaster'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!
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Click on
images below to see larger images
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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 RWR sensors on the wing tips
had a square frame painted around them. Simple! All paint used was Humbrol
and was brushed on. No air guns here!
The only issue is
lack of knowledge of the weight required in 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 problem, as weighting the kit is not in the
plans.
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 it, hopefully not much at all.
Andrew
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