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
|