1/48 Trumpeter RA-5C Vigilante

by Mark A. Sindiong

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Been meaning to submit something for awhile now and here it is, my first submission… Trumpeters quarter scale Vigi!  I was looking forward to building this kit as soon as Trumpeter announced its release; I was quick to snatch one up as soon as it arrived in my local hobby shop.  Then, after reading a few less than stellar reviews, the kit was relegated to the closet fleet.  Sometime later the opportunity to build this beast presented itself; I was to finish the kit for a Vigilante pilot now living here in Hawaii.  Capt. Gerald Coffee (USN Ret.) flew the bird I was to build early during the Vietnam Conflict and in 1966 was shot down in that same aircraft (with the loss of his RAN, LTJG. Robert Hanson)… Capt. Coffee then spent some 7 years as a POW at the Hanoi Hilton.  I was honored to build the model for this decorated veteran.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

I won’t go into "nitpicks" concerning the kit but will say it was a challenge.   I did add a Black Box cockpit set, Nautilus Models internal fuselage brace, and Victory Productions decals.   In addition to the aftermarket bits I made a few small changes to the intakes, cockpit, and vertical tail to better represent the subject aircraft.   The model was airbrushed with Mr. Color lacquers using soft masks for the demarcation lines.   Weathering was light and consists of pre-shading, highlights, pencil, and pastel chalks… A subtle point wash with oils was used in some areas as well.    The base and case (not shown) were custom produced by a good friend & phenomenal model builder Mr. Brad Sekigawa… If you’ve been to the Arizona Memorial Museum you’ve seen some of his work.   Brad was kind enough to take care of that portion of the presentation while I completed the kit.   It was very much a team effort and really adds something to the overall “feel.”

I honestly can’t say it was an enjoyable build but I was sure proud to complete it considering who was going to receive it.   That made it well worth the effort.   The completed model was presented to Capt. Coffee at veteran’s dinner honoring his service to country and community mid 2006.   One note: The names on both pilot & RAN canopies were added at the request of the community organization that asked for the model.  The actual aircraft did not carry either name.

Mark 

Photos and text © by Mark A. Sindiong