Midnight Cowboy: 1/48th Monogram A-1H Skyraider

This is the 1/48th Monogram A-1H Skyraider kit which was first released in 1980 in Vietnam era markings and then again in 1983 in Korean War markings. It has been re-released a number of times as late as 2010. Although the Tamiya kit is now the ultimate in 1/48th, this build proved you can still get a nice result from this bargain kit.

Notable Kit Features:

• Nice raised detail in the pit

• Relatively simple build

• Overall fit is decent although as I recall the fuselage to wing join requires some attention

• External cockpit armour plate molded into kit

• Weapons are molded onto pylons

• Some wing fold parts provided but not all (seems like folded wing option was abandoned)

• Fine raised panel lines with some engraved detail

• Two-piece canopy can be open or closed

Build Inspiration:

I had previously built a Monogram Spad in the USN Gull gray over White scheme and was looking to do a TAC Jungle scheme. I managed to find a nice set of decals with an option for a 1st SOS 56th SOW Skyraider with a night underside and from there had my project cut out for me. The nose art "Midnight Cowboy" caught my attention and I had myself yet another project waiting in the wings.

Heads-Up Report:

• Weapons are molded onto pylons

• External cockpit armour plate molded into kit (so depending on the version of A-1 you want to build you may have issues if you want to backdate)

• Raised panel lines

Kit Additions / Modifications:

• Drilled out the gun barrels

• Substituted Cutting Edge CED48096 - Skyraider #2 decals

Finishing:

The paint scheme for this aircraft was the USAF TAC Jungle camouflage consisting of FS 30219 / FS 34079 / FS 34102 upper over FS 36622 undersides. For weathering effect I lightened and darkened the paint tones on the panels as I sprayed the colours. The 1st SOS at times operated their Skyraiders at night and applied a temporary black underside paint, so I chose to depict this night scheme. A gloss coat was then sprayed using Pledge floor finish to prepare for decals and washes which were flowed on to add depth in the recesses. Post decal stage a final matt coat was sprayed, using Model Master dullcoat, to complete the jungle finish.

The After-Build Report:

Despite the age of this 1/48th Monogram A-1H Skyraider kit, I will still recommend it for an inexpensive build. Sure the kit has raised panel lines, however you could leave them be, as I did here (or start with a black undercoat so you can lightly sand the panel lines after painting the final coats to give some effect), or re-scribe. I was quite happy with the Out-of-the-Box results here as I managed to get a good looking build out of a very inexpensive kit without much hassle. Note: Hasegawa apparently used this mold as the base on their 1/48th release adding / modifying parts to give it new life. If you want to go for higher quality with recessed panel lines, the more modern 1/48th Tamiya kit certainly is a gem.

Completed build #205 - September 2017 using the 1/48th scale Monogram #5429 kit.

Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is suppose to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers