Nimitz Vigilante 3.

1
October 1, 2025
The real deal.
2
October 1, 2025
And again.
3
October 1, 2025
My Airfix kit. When I built it I didn't own an airbrush so it's all brush painted
4
October 1, 2025
Later I got hold of the Aeroclub undercarriage set. As kitted the legs are at full extension as if in flight. It has been stored for a long while and 2 have fallen off. It's a small job to fix but....
5
October 1, 2025
The white paint is very rough and streaky due to being brushed on in several coats. It has also yellowed quite badly. I think a full strip down is in order
6
October 1, 2025
Which is a shame as the decals are excellent and the gull grey is quite smooth despite also being brushed on.
7
October 1, 2025
8
October 1, 2025
See the white here
9
October 1, 2025
And the bottom is worse
10
October 1, 2025
And finally a cracked windscreen. Seeing how well my Matchbox A-7 turned out I think this Vigilante will also need to go for a deep overhaul
11
October 8, 2025
So, some Mr Muscle oven cleaner later....
12
October 8, 2025
Some unplanned disassembly has occurred
13
October 8, 2025
While I had the oven cleaner and rubber gloves out, I took the time to also strip my Matchbox Prowler and an old Airfix Sea King. Love that multi coloured plastic
14
October 8, 2025
Viggi bits
15
October 8, 2025
Prowler bits
16
October 10, 2025
Touching up the joints. They weren't bad but now they're perfect
17
October 16, 2025
Chaos on the workbench. All four are restorations of one form or another. Tomcat is ready for decals I think.
18
October 18, 2025
Mocking up the Trumpeter kit to gauge what needs to be done
19
October 18, 2025
The weird depression on top of the Airfix intakes. I also need to add the triangular fillet from the intake outer edge to the existing wing root by the leading edge slat innermost point
20
October 18, 2025
Airfix above, Trumpeter below displays what needs to be added.
21
October 18, 2025
Weird "s" shaped depression. The upper vent is also absent. It's like they forgot a part for here.
22
October 18, 2025
Airfix above, Hasegawa below. Hasegawa is better and fine for an early production plane. But I'll still need to add the triangle fillet for my schemes
23
October 18, 2025
At least the top is flat.
24
October 18, 2025
The trumpeter part gives a good base to start from.
25
October 18, 2025
This took way longer than it should have
26
October 18, 2025
Way longer....
27
October 18, 2025
I used .3mm sheet on top to get the shape and .75mm sheet below for strength, depth and a straight line.
28
November 2, 2025
Tried something new to me. Superglue as a filler.
29
November 2, 2025
We'll see if this is another disaster in progress
30
November 2, 2025
Looking OK so far. A little step where the tape was and a couple of blemishes otherwise I'm impressed
31
November 2, 2025
Other side much the same.
32
November 2, 2025
Had a little leak of superglue. Hope I can rectify this.
33
November 6, 2025
Not bad for first attempt
34
November 6, 2025
Not bad for first attempt
35
November 6, 2025
Not bad for first attempt
36
November 13, 2025
Second round of fill-sand-prime... I'm calling this stage done. Can't get much better than this.
37
November 13, 2025
I think I'll stop while I'm ahead...
38
November 13, 2025
Grand job for a 1 metre model, and way better than it was before
39
November 19, 2025
Still some touching up to do. But main painting finished
40
November 19, 2025
Leading edges are a rough mix of Tamiya lacquer light gunmetal and titanium silver. Gives a good alternation between dark and bright depending on the light angle.
41
November 19, 2025
Might swap the Airfix armchair for one of the Hasegawa seats. The rear can't be seen in either kit so I can spare it.
42
November 19, 2025
A tight fit for pilots knees
43
December 6, 2025
Tried to repair the screen. Made it worse
44
December 6, 2025
Very happy with how the fillets worked out.
45
December 6, 2025
With the 2 Trumpeter kits.
46
December 6, 2025
Cockpit details have come on a bit over the years!

Comments

31 1 October, 18:34

Matti Thomaes
Good luck with the overhaul, following

1 1 October, 21:26

Maciej Bellos
Watching!

1 1 October, 21:32

Guy Rump
Following. 👍

1 1 October, 21:44

Roy McKay Author
Finally started the work. This is going to be a long process, not because it's difficult but because of free time. I also have a Trumpeter and a Hasegawa kit in front of me on the shelf...

1 10 October, 18:38

Dave Flitton
Watching!!

1 11 October, 07:05

John Hughes
This was the second kit I ever built, over 50 years ago. I dread to think what it looked like.

1 11 October, 07:10

Roy McKay Author
Moving on somewhat. I said it would be slow, and I haven't even started the other 2 Vigilante kits yet. I plan to modify the wing roots to make it more accurate for a late Vigilante, and to match the Trumpeter kit. I've also been refurbishing a Matchbox Prowler, an old Airfix SH-3D and the Hasegawa Tomcat that had weird paint/decal issues.

1 16 October, 19:58

Bartosz Medyński
Good luck with that! I also have a lack of free time. We will see whose from us finish this Vigilante first xD.

1 4 November, 11:22

Burkhard D
Following!

1 5 November, 20:33

Ekki
Missed this one.

1 13 November, 21:50

Roy McKay Author
Small update.

I'm now debating with myself on what decals to put on this when it's time.

I have 2 Trumpter kits, 1 Hasegawa and this Airfix.
156624 was on Nimitz both with RVAH-9 and next cruise with RVAH-6. I'm thinking to do the 2 trumpeter kits as these two schemes? At least they will match especially if they are supposed to represent the same aircraft.

1 19 November, 18:05

CaptGPF
Wow! Someone's a real fan of the USS Nimitz!

I love restoration jobs! I'm in!

1 5 December, 17:38

Roy McKay Author
Indeed I am CaptGPF. Seems I'm not the only one either 😉. Will try to get back to this soon.

1 5 December, 19:22

Album info

Airfix kit oob.

Nimitz Vigilante 3

46 images

1:72

In progress

1:72 N.A. RA-5C Vigilante (Airfix 05019)

North American RA-5C Vigilante

US Navy (1794-now)
RVAH-9 Hoot Owls AJ603 / 156624
1975 - USS Nimitz (CVN-68)
FS36440 FS37875

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