Reviews : Tamiya Douglas A-1J Skyraider USAF Attack Aircraft

According to the Scalemates website, the Tamiya 1/48 Douglas A-1J Skyraider, USAF, #61073 was released in 2000. This kit is similar to Tamiya's 1/48 Douglas A-1H Skyraider which was released in 1998 as shown on the Scalemates website, however, kit #61073 has different ordinance and a different decal sheet to make a A-1J Skyraider used by the USAF. Upon opening the kit box, I found the instructions in a fold out sheet format, a full-scale painting guide and a third document with the decal application diagrams for two different USAF markings. Parts quality and fit were excellent as was expected from Tamiya. With careful dry fitting of the parts, no putty filling or sanding was required. This kit has no photoetch parts, however it does include polycaps. The only problematic issue I experienced with the build was attaching the large bombs to their respective pylons. I ended up shortening the attachment prongs to get them to install properly. For my build of this model, I selected the aircraft from the 56th Special Operations Wing, 602nd Fighter Squadron, No. 029, 1969 in Thailand. As with the majority of Tamiya aircraft kits, construction began with building up the cockpit and installation of the pilot figure. A seatbelt/harness decal is provided if the builder does not use the pilot figure. The kit also provides an instrument panel decal, should the builder prefer this option. The instrument panel decal used for my build was installed using Microsol to assist the decal in settling down over the instrument panel part. For the side control panels, I painted the surfaces flat black and highlighted the various button and switch details using a cocktail stick to apply the paint. As I prefer to build up my aircraft models as overtly as possible, I opted to build up the engine cowl in the open position. I also opted to build the aircraft with the airbrake flaps open and the wing flaps in the down position. I also prefer to build my aircraft models with the landing gear in the down position so that the aircraft model is able to stand on its extended landing gear. I deviated from the kit instructions and added yellow stripe decals to all of the bombs that were attached on to this aircraft model. The kit did not include these decals, so I obtained them from my spares box. Taking a que from other experienced builders of this model, I fabricated a crude whip antenna out of stretched sprue, as this part is not included in the kit. An aerial line was also added to the model using EZ Line and Gorilla Glue. For the upper surfaces of this model, I used Vallejo Model Air, USAF Green, 71.124, Vallejo Model Air, USAF Tan, 71.348 and Vallejo Model Air Pale Green, 71.095. The Pale Green paint was much lighter in tone than USAF Olive Green. However, Pale Green selected to ensure a greater contrast between the Pale Green color and the USAF Green color. These Vallejo acrylic paints did not require a primer coat and were directly applied to the bare plastic parts. For the undersurfaces of the aircraft, I used Vallejo Model Air, USAF Light Gray and a generic brand, flat white acrylic paint for the landing gear wheel wells. Following painting of interior cavities such as landing gear bays and airbrake compartments, I masked these areas off using Blue Tack. I found this method of masking to be crude, but effective. All of the surfaces were painted using an Iwata HP-C Plus airbrush equipped with a 0.3mm needle at about 20 PSI. Although not accurate, the camouflage pattern was airbrushed on freehand without masking. Initially to protect the paint, I applied a coat of Future Floor wax over all of the painted surfaces of the model. After allowing for adequate drying time, I then applied a water-resistant acrylic matte clear coat from a spray can over the Future. Once dry, I applied the decals to the model. Tamiya decals are known to be thick in contour; therefore, I used Microsol and Microset to assist with decal application. Fortunately, the decal count for this kit was low. This helped to speed up the build process. Decal application is followed up with another protective coat of Future and then a final acrylic matte clear coat from a spray can. At this stage of the build, Tamiya Panel Liner was applied to the model. I used brown panel liner for the upper surfaces of the model and black panel liner for the undersurfaces. Exhaust streak stains were added using Tamiya soot color from their Weather Master set. Due to the four-color paint scheme of this aircraft and the tedious ordinance assembly, Although entry level modelers could possibly successfully build this kit, I would recommend this kit for intermediate to advance model builders with some airbrush and decal application skills for best results. This is an excellent, highly recommended model kit of an interesting, USAF, historically significant attack aircraft. With basic model building, painting, decal application, and weathering skills, an excellent result can be achieved.

This was my second more recent Tamiya kit build, and as expected, I wasn't disappointed. The kit includes 8 light grey/beige sprues divided into 4 sealed bags and one clear sprue in a separate small sealed bag that is found within one of the larger bags. There is a clear and concise assembly instruction booklet, a separate sheet for painting options for two different aircraft, a sheet with full size views of the model that can be used as a paper mask for painting and a sheet of decals for the two options of squadron markings. The molded parts are very clean and crisp, with zero flash, no warping, no ejector pin stress marks or visible ejector pin witness marks on seen surfaces. The external surfaces of the aircraft include fine recessed panel lines for highlighting. The cockpit pit is nicely detailed, along with the undercarriage and the radial engine. There are options for having the three Air-Brake doors open or closed, the ailerons up or down, the undercarriage up or down and the sliding canopy modelled open or closed. There are two full sprues of ordnance allowing you many options for loading the 15 hard points beneath the wings and fuselage, with 3 styles of bombs, rocket pods and external long range fuel/drop tanks. A Pilot figure is included to finish off the kit. The Engineering and fits of the molded parts is second to none; the parts fall together and I only needed filler around the front seam of the forward canopy. My only issue with this kit are with the decals; they are slightly thicker than preferred, they take a longer time to release from the backing paper and some are very fragile during application. One of my decals tore and I had to carefully position the torn halves together to make the tear disappear. If you are a stickler for accuracy, then I will point out that the box art work does illustrate a Whip Antenna mounted on the port-side of the fuselage, located at the side of the rear canopy, but, there isn't one included in the molded parts. Therefore, I carved a mounting block shape at the end of a piece of sprue, then cut it off and glued it to the end of a cocktail stick. I then used the stretched sprue method to make my own Whip Antenna and glued that to the mounting block. When that had set, I painted it, removed it from the end of the cocktail stick and glued it into its location on the plane. Overall, this kit builds into a very nice representation of a Sandy with the South East Asian 3 color camo scheme, just be careful with the decals. If Tamiya included Cartograf decals into this kit, it would be perfection personified. But, ignoring the decals, I still give this kit 5 stars for the content and quality of molded parts, the details and options offered and the enjoyment had whilst building the model, along with the satisfaction garnered by the end result. I also have to say, that out of the 15 models I have built since starting modelling in January of 2014, that this kit is without a doubt the best that I have had the pleasure to build! If you have been thinking about buying this kit, then think no more; it is very highly recommended! Go ahead, make your day, buy one now!!

I have built a number of Skyraider models over the years but this one is the best in this scale. It has all of the correct parts to make an accurate Air Force version and the options for ordinance are superb. The cockpit has a lot of raised details and it also has the Yankee extraction seat as used in the USAF planes but does lack the canvas cover behind the head rest for the canopy mechanism however Quickboost makes a resin part for this small but noticeable item. The flaps and dive brakes can be positioned as you like and they fit well in the retracted/closed positions so there's no problems there. The landing gear is designed to be built extended so showing it retracted will take a little work. There's no provision for folded wings on this kit or the USN version so you will have to scratchbuild, find an aftermarket set or buy the Zoukei Miura kit which isn't cheap. Underwing ordinance is typical of a Vietnam-era loadout and Tamiya's attention to detail is evident even there with Mk.83, Mk.82 bombs and Daisy Cutter equipped Mk.82s, LAU-8 rocket pods and a centerline fuel tank. The various aerials unique to the AF versions as well as the solid hub wheels and larger tailwheel used by the AF are in the kit too. The propeller is the only other quibble I have about this kit as the hub is really too small and the blades a bit thin. I replaced it with one from the spares box that had come from the old Monogram kit. I used an OOP Cutting Edge decal sheet to finish it as Midnight Cowboy from the 1st Special Operations Squadron, based out of Nakon Phanom, Thailand or Naked Fanny to the Americans stationed there. I built this model as a memorial to my friend Larry Sutherland who served with the 1st SOS Hoboes. Sandy One is a reference to the rescue force that went out to rescue downed pilots. They were often led by courageous pilots in Skyraiders who beat down enemy forces in the area until the Jolly Green (HH-53 helicopter) could extract them. More than one gave his life to bring a brother aviator home.

Tamiya’s 1/48 scale A-1J is a great kit. Most modelers know Tamiya makes kits where the parts fit well together, decals are good quality, detailing is superb, instructions are easy to follow, and the instructions give a clear call out on paint color. This kit is no exception. The model went together with no issues and included many different stores of weapons to choose from. It has recessed lines so if you have been working with older kits, you can enjoy the final product as is without wishing you had sanded down the raised panel lines and re-scribed. This model is the U.S. Air Force version (Tamiya also makes a Navy version as well) and represents the Sandy of rescue/special operations fame. If you like Vietnam War aircraft, this one is a must and you won’t be disappointed with the final result. Well worth the cost. I highly encourage this kit for modelers of all skill levels. Enjoy and have fun.

I was very excited to build this kit mainly because it was a Vietnam era aircraft. I am partial to the era and all its hardware. This being a Tamiya product guarantees it to be good, and it was. All parts fit with ease and details were great. Having the ability to set the flaps and air brakes was great. And the armament was unbelievable. Tamiya gives you a lot of extra armament and some that can be removed and replaced. All in all this was a fun kit to build. I cant say anything bad about it. I would recommend it to any skill builder even though it is made more for the experienced modeler. These planes had unbelievable power plants and were total beasts with the amount of munitions they carried. Its a shame they didnt deploy until later in the war. They kicked the heck out of any enemy. Two thumbs up! See my photos

Best A1 model I have found. Great fit, no flash. You would do better painting the ordinance going off pictures from the net rather than trying to figure out the paint guides. Example I have seen the rocket pods in different colors so you need to check if you are doing a particular plane. Big plus is that it comes with Vietnam era munitions and lots of it I will be using some of the ordinance on other A1s .. I has the submunitions dispensers ( the tube like items) that I have not found anywhere else I did not use the decals so I cannot judge them , they look correct. Usual Tamiya quality

This model is well done. The kit comes with detailed instructions for assembly and are well done. This model can be built in many ways. There are no major flaws with the kit, the only suggestion would be to research cockpit interiors for detailing the cockpit on the model. Otherwise, this is a very straightforward kit that builds into a great aircraft. The paints are called out only in tamiya but, there are other paints that are similar to the tamiya callouts. I recommend the kit for any builder.

As always Tamiya models are very well produced and the instructions are easy to use. Do keep in mind that if you don't build a lot of military aircraft models, you will need a lot of different paint colors. There are decals for two aircraft and tons of ordinance that you will never use on this build. Keep it for other models. Overall it's one of the best model kits that I've ever built with the pieces all fitting perfect and no flash.

In 1968 the RVN Airforce and US Airforce were flying these (I do not believe it was the J model) for close air support. As a Gunship Pilot I had the mission of acting as forward air support for directing bombing and strafing runs. This is one of my builds. The manufacturer of this product faithfully reproduce the kit. Instructions are easy to follow and makes an enjoyable build,

This kit was easy to assemble with really nice detail. comes with 2 sets of markings and armament options. very detailed instructions with really good painting instructions. Can be built with dive breaks open or closed and wing flaps up or down. Cockpit detail was also very nice. I really enjoyed this kit and would love to build another one

I'm still in the process of the build and as usual with Tamiya this is a really great kit. No fit issues, no flash, and great easy to follow instructions. The abundance of ordinance provided is outstanding. I sure wish they had boxed a version from the Korean War since they were used there first.

Fun build, three color camo a challenge but template supplied with the kit. Was used in Vietnam for air.support and was welcome sight for ground troops. I like building from this era as it was real to me as my teenage years in the sixties. Tribute to those who served and friends gone. Very good kit.

This is an excellent model kit. The instructions are good, parts fit very well, and the finished product looks great. I have recently gotten back into modeling and this project wasn't difficult at all. Like all projects just take your time, read the directions, and pay attention.

I had trouble fitting the cockpit between the two fuselage halves, but that's it. You can opt to have the flaps and air brakes extended or not. Ordinance is a mix of bombs, rockets and drop tanks. Decals are just enough.

Not the typical kit you would expect from Tamiya. It felt a bit cheaper than that. Fit was still good, and kit went together without a whole lot of trouble.

Recommend this kit. Easy to build and put together. Didn’t really have any fit issues.

Wonderful service. Quick delivery. Great looking product