1:32 A-6E/Tram Intruder

The real subject

The Grumman A-6 Intruder was a carrier attack aircraft of the US Navy meant for strikes on ground targets in any weather and at night. The pilot and the second crew member sat side by side under a shared canopy, the aircraft was powered by a pair of turbojet engines and the wings folded for movement on a deck. The A-6E TRAM version carried a turreted sensor under the nose, thanks to which the crew could find a target even in the dark and use guided munitions.

What the kit is

This plastic kit in 1:32 scale is supplied unassembled and unpainted. The parts are held on sprues; the builder cuts them off, cleans them up, glues them and paints them according to the instructions. The finished model is about 50 cm across, so allow for the room in a display case and for a large enough surface while building.

Building and painting tips

Try the large fuselage parts dry first and only then glue them. Fill and sand the seams on the spine and the underside of the fuselage; on a model this size every unevenness shows. Paint and shade the roomy cockpit with its pair of seats before you close the fuselage. Plan the external stores and their pylons in advance so that the armament hangs symmetrically. The gray and white naval finishes come out well after a gentle emphasis on the panel lines and light soiling under the fuselage.

Who it is for

The large 1:32 scale will be appreciated by modelers who want to work out the detail of the cockpit and the external stores. The paint and marking list is in the instructions. Paints, glue, filler and other materials are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.