A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: SKYHAWK BOOK AND WHY DECALLING CONTINUES TO BE MY FAVOURITE PART OF ANY BUILD…

All of the models will be covered as in previous books in detailed chapters that will take you through construction, painting, weathering, decals and in some cases additional details.

7th February 2025

A slightly different update for you today, because along with my daily diary, I have a new book that I would like to announce. So before getting started on what I’ve been up to today, here is my new book and you can expect from it when it is released a month or so from now.

SKYHAWK: ED HEINEMAN’S HOTROD

Contents And Subjects Covered…

Having built a number of these aircraft in miniature over the years, I have decide that it is a good time to finally release one of my modelling guides to cover my work so far, as well as a brand-new build of a recently-released kit. As such, the book will include the following models:

AIRFIX: 1/72 A-4C

HASEGAWA: 1/48 A-4M

TRUMPETER: 1/32 A-4E 

MAGIC FACTORY: 1/48 A-4M

All of the models will be covered as in previous books in detailed chapters that will take you through construction, painting, weathering, decals and in some cases additional details. Here are some images of the first three models to be completed.

Magic Factory’s A-4M Skyhawk II

Along with those kits seen above, The largest feature in the book will concern itself with Magic Factory’s very impressive 1/48 A-4M Skyhawk II.

This will be an extensive look at the kit and how to get the best from it. As it stands the chapter for this model will cover around 20 pages, making it one of the longest most involved build features I have created for one of my books, matched only by the features I wrote for my Tomcat book and my single-subject Tornado publication. If you are looking to build the Magic Factory kit, I hope you’ll find much to inspire you along the way from my brand-new, in-depth build.

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If you would like to read more about the aircraft that I will be modelling from VMA-131, please check out David W. Aungst’s superb feature on 160024 and its conversion from a drab grey warrior, into the wonderfully bright retirement scheme offered in the MF kit.

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/a4m/A-4M_160024.htm

I’m designing the book alongside the completion of the A-4M, so it should all be done within the next few weeks. I’ll then offer the book for presale as usual (if you’ve ever bought any of my books over the years, you will no-doubt know how this works). This will be another book that I am planning to offer as a limited edition strictly first come first serve title, so if you would like to be added to an initial reservation list, please email me at the following address to give me some idea of interest and numbers. 

To make an initial reservation, please email me at the following address:

spencerpollard1@gmail.com

That pretty much wraps up the book for now so what else have I been up to today?

Decalling, that’s what! Stickers, transfers, decals, call ’em what you will, the application of these little fellas is always my favourite part of any build. This is where start to get some form of payoff for all of the construction and painting that has gone before. Most modellers I know seem to enjoy weathering above anything else, but I tend to see that as nothing more than a necessary evil that I have to do, rather than want to. Nope, it’s decalling for me. I love it!

I mentioned yesterday that I had painted the model and then applied what I still consider a necessary layer of gloss to help the decals to lay properly over the surface of the model, without having to worry about silvering. My coat of LP Clear certainly made that possible, a soft flat brush being used to remove any water and air trapped under the decals to a pleasing degree. All I then had to do, was using my collection of setting solutions (my current favourite being VMS Decal Setting Solution), snuggle the markings down into and over the surface detail. I don’t use the solutions to eliminate silvering, that’s the job of the gloss coat.

As it stands, the model is now fully decalled and I’m happy to report, completely free of any form of silvering. Some work will be needed to cut some of the markings into underlying panel lines and those pesky vortex generators under the port star & bar, will need to be looked at adjusted and then very carefully touched in with paint between each one. Honestly, is there a trickier marking to apply than those large decals on the surface of Skyhawk wings?!

So that’s out for today, a day that has been unashamedly focused on my new book and the brand-new model that I am building for it. Next week I will be getting back to the Anson and other projects for work, all of which need to be completed in rather short order. Most of them are aircraft in nature, but there may be one or two armoured vehicles sneaking in there if time allows. In the meantime, have a wonderful evening and football allowing (I’m away in Coventry watching City play Ipswich Town in the FA Cup) I’ll see you tomorrow.

DAY’S MUSIC CHOICES

Before singing off, I felt the need for some uplifting pop music today so went down that route, taking in something brand-new (Gary Kemp’s superb 2025 release) and a few older releases from back in the day. Sometimes when the world is heavy, it’s good to have something light to listen to…

Gary Kemp: This Destination

Nick Heyward: North Of A Miracle

Go West: Go West

Swing Out Sister: Kaleidoscope World

• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: WHY HAVE I NEVER BUILT A LIGHTNING?
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: A TRIP TO BRISTOL…
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: A RELAXING DAY…
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: HOW MANY MORE KITS DO I HAVE, HALF STARTED?!
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: 2025 ALL WRAPPED UP!

1. 

   Wow! I built a dozen back around 1980. Entered them as a collection at the IPMS USA Nationals. Didn’t win…

2. 

   Yes, stop procrastinating……build a Lightning🤣

3. 

   Who knows, you might even consider publishing another bookazine on building the BAC Lightning as well?

4. 

   I am glad that the man was talked down. It’s definitely hard to see without knowing the outcome, until later.…

5. 

   sadly(?), I’ve at least 15 models at various stages of completion. 2 I started back in the 80s, iirc I…