A-6 Intruder models in 1/72 scale: kit review and modelling report by Meindert de Vreeze |
check out 1/32 A-6 model |
--- The Grumman Intruder prototype flew way back in 1960, and was a naval attack aircraft, operating from the US Navy carrier fleet. It was put into service in 1963. The type was equipped with one of the first electronic blind bombing systems. Several variants were developed beside
the attack versions with special Electronic warfare versions and even a
tanker version.
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The Intruder was issued
in 1/72 scale by Hasegawa at first and later on also by Fujimi as EA-6A.
Revell issued a very old kit in an odd scale. The kit #H13 used here from 1987 release is of Fujimi, representing an EA-6A.
The Fujimi kit parts of the EA-6A The Fujimi kit is better than the Hasegawa offering with some nice features such as slatted wings, but both models end up in a nice representation of the real thing. The other 1/72 EA-6B model of the Electronic Warfare 4 seater variant is issued by Hasegawa and is also a quite good model. It differs from the A-6 model with another fuselage and wing stores, with the warfare packs.
The use of two models made an interesting option becoming available. As the Fujimi kit has slatted wings, I wanted to do some cross-kitting with both kits. Putting the slatted wing on the Hasegawa Prowler seemed to give something extra life to the model, whereas the Fujimi kit could be fitted with the straight Prowler wing. Also, the Fujimi kit would be detailed with an opened radar nose. The kits make this cross-kitting well possible, you only need to make some small adoptions on the lengths of the wheel bays and the exhaust pipes. |
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[1] First shown is the older Hasegawa kit #JS-023 that was released a long time ago in 1968. Itas made way back in around 1985. I remember it had a 2 part clear canopy split in the middle and raised panel lines. It needs a lot of clean up to assemble. This model of the A-6A attack version was made around 1982. The kit was modified by me to have a hinged outboard wings as stored on a typical carrier deck. Wing hinges were made at the time from sprue.
The cockpit was detailed and the model was finished in a nice scheme of US Navy VA-145 SwordsMen using Microscale decals. I don't remember the decal number.
The lower fuselage pod came from a
Hasegawa stores set.
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Go
to Intruder page 2
or Go to EA-6B Prowler page or |
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Back to 1/72 Models....... | |
References: - A-6 Intruder, in action, no.20, Squadron Signal, Lou Drendel , 1975 - A-6 Special, Modern Military Aircraft series, Squadron Signal, no. 5007, 1991 - A-6, Bunrin-Do publications, no. 135, Japan, 1983:VERY GOOD! - Air International, Volume 57, pages 160 - Air International, Volume 31, pages 227 | |
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Created this page November 8, 2001; updated May 2020 |