1/72 Fujimi A-6E Intruder Libya 1986

Gallery Article by Andrew Desautels (AKA "Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy") on June 2 2016

 

      

In March 1986, elements of the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea challenged the Libyan regime's claim to the entire Gulf of Sidra, a claim which violated international law. Despite many close calls with the fleet CAP F-14's, on March 24 shots were finally fired against several Libyan patrol boats which were disabled and sunk with AGM-84 Harpoon missiles and Mk 20 Rockeye cluster munitions. Involved in this action were, among others, the A-6's of VA-55 Warhorses, several of whose aircraft were seen displaying patrol boat kill markings below the canopy rails afterward. This is the subject of my build.

This is the 1/72 Fujimi A-6E TRAM built mostly OOB except for True Details seats and a sewing pin replacing the pitot probe on the tail. Weapons for what I found to be a most eye-catching load came from the Hasegawa Weapons sets. The big problem was the markings; the only accurate markings in 1/72 are the long OOP Wolfpak release. So, I was once again reduced to scrounging whatever I could find to match photos and diagrams/artwork. Fortunately I was able to find a Superscale A-6E sheet with the correct FS 36495 light gray markings, including just enough to cobble together the correct BuNo for the tail. 

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This is my first attempt at an A-6 and I have to say I really enjoyed it! Now, if only I would just choose subjects with correct, readily available decals....

Apologies for the photography, which pales in comparison to much of what I routinely see here on ARC. Thanks for looking!

"Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy"

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Photos and text © by Andrew Desautels (AKA "Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy")