1/144 A-20 conversion - Completed

[JollyRoger]

We added a 1/144 A-20 "GREEN HORNET" made by ixo to our collection a little while ago. Not a bad representation.





We acquired another one recently at a decent price so we decided to change it over and add to our JOLLY ROGERS Squadron. The 90th Bomb Group "JOLLY ROGERS' had an A-20 that was stripped down to bare metal and had the nose art LITTLE CHIEF.



The A-20 was lightly sanded down to remove all markings, some gaps and holes were filled with super glue and then sanded down. The gear doors were thinned down to a more correct thickness.Then a white primer was shot.









After the primer it was given several light coats of Model Master Aluminum Plate. Then engine detailing was added along with some Zinc Chromemate in the cockpit and wheel wells.





Going to lengthen the landing gear a little because they look a bit stubby and the nose wheel strut has to be moved forward. I will add finished pics in a few days.

[cnq]

Excellent progress so far. I can't wait to see the finished plane...

[Epap]

This is the kind of thing I like to see, JR. Great job, so far and not easy with such a small model.

[JollyRoger]

Heres a couple shots with the gear , tail markings and nose art on. Waiting for some stars and have to add the props and then were done.

[JollyRoger]

Here is LITTLE CHIEF all done.

[cnq]

very very nice work. Did you print/make your own decals ?

[JollyRoger]

Thank You cnq I appreciate it. The tail and nose art were scaled down by my son using a pic of the 1/48 scale factory made decals. I printed them on my regular ink jet printer on white inkjet decal paper. They still are a bit tricky to work with even after coating with a sealer. Sometimes they smear or run if you push on them the wrong way. Thats why we make several copies. If one gets messed up we rip it off and try again.



The other markings are aftermarket. The props were from a batch of aftermarket molded Hamilton Standard the my son sent for. They needed a little bit of shaping with sandpaper.

[jlspec]

Jolly Roger
I am always impressed with your 1/144 projects. One question I have is how do you paint and attach the very small clear canopies and and gun turrets. I always manage smear the glue or paint.
Thanks

[Epap]

Once again, nice work, JR.

[JollyRoger]

Thanks jlspec and Epap I appreciate the feedback.
I put some rolled up tape lightly inside the canopy attached to a toothpick. Thats how I can hold it to paint. I use a very fine paintbrush and if I mess up I can usually clean it off with a point of a toothpick. There is a product called Micro Kristal Klear made by Microscale. It looks and has the consistancy of Elmers glue but I think dries clearer. A few dots of this and it holds fine. If you mess up and get some on the inside it dries clear.



I found this stuff a long time ago when I was converting a 1/144 Revell C-130 to a KC-130 air refueler. I didn't want to glue in the kit canopy and then mask it to paint. so what I did was make the canopy frame and then drill out the side fuselage windows. After it was all sprayed I used the Kristal Klear for all the glass.

[jlspec]

Thanks for the tips. I will look for the Krystal Klear when I go to get some more Micro Set for the decals