Trumpeter 1/48 scale RA-5C Vigilante

[Anthony Leger]

Hi Lee,

Very Nice add to your built up collection. It looks big...Tony

[Lee_K]

What's up with the buno numbers, is that a A-5 thing? The tail gets the full number but the small fuselage numbers are short the first digit. Other ac of the time period had shorted (four digits)/full/none large buno numbers on the tail and full small fuselage numbers. Not saying anything is wrong, just seems different.

I dunno.    The decals came from a sheet drawn by Jennings Heilig, who is a known stickler for research and accuracy.  So, it's possible that the real aircraft had a shortened bureau number (unusual), or perhaps a printing mistake (also unusual).  I don't know if we'll ever know.  Scott Van Aken called out the same discrepancy as well.

Lee K

[ClydeM]

another great looking model Lee. having stood next to the real bird at naval museum in P'cola it must be a huge model. clyde

[Ryan K]

What's up with the buno numbers, is that a A-5 thing? The tail gets the full number but the small fuselage numbers are short the first digit. Other ac of the time period had shorted (four digits)/full/none large buno numbers on the tail and full small fuselage numbers. Not saying anything is wrong, just seems different.

[Lee_K]

Thanks guys, for the kind comments.  This subject topped the "most wanted kit" throughout much of the 2000s before Trumpeter finally released one.  I always wondered why you didn't see more built, but now I understand: it's expensive ($90 MSRP), doesn't fit well at all, and has a number of inaccuracies that require aftermarket solutions that still don't address the major shape issues.  Oh well...it's a very pretty aircraft and something you don't see very often.

Lee K

[Ronnie Murray]

Looks really good Lee.  It is a huge aircraft and I've never seen a model of it built but it's got attractive lines.  That makes it hard to fit in to your typical build category of Big, Odd and Ugly aircraft.  It'll grab plenty of attention wherever you take it.

[Bill L2]

Wow. That is a very nice model Lee. I like the markings. Nice powder blue on the tail and the bird decal on the front. Great job. I am amazed they could get this thing off of a carrier deck!

[Joe M]

On a roll Lee... looks great!

[Bill L.]

Looks really good Lee.  Tough kit or not, you make it look good!  Looking forward to seeing it next month.  Now you still have time for another model this year 

Bill L.

[Lee_K]

The fabled Trumpeter kit, with Black Box resin ejection seats, Aires resin exhausts, Nautilus Models wooden internal brace, and Aerospace Modeler Magazine special decals.  This was a challenging build with poor fit throughout.

Lee K