The EA-6A was the first ECM-version of the famous Grumman A-6 series. For this purpose it was equipped with various electronic devices like the AN/ALQ-86 receiver/surveillance system, the AN/ALQ-41 I- and J-Band track breaker and the AL/ALQ-100 self protection system. The new equipment caused several changes in aerodynamics. The new components were housed in a large bulge on the fin tip.

A considerable amount of ECM equipment was mounted in pods under the wing pylons.

All in all 28 EA-6A were built.

Click on images below to see larger images

The Kit:
I used an excellent cockpit from Black-Box, new decals from CAM and PE-parts from Eduard for my model.

All raised panel lines were sanded off and rescribed. I also sanded the trailing edges of the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers to sharpen the edges.

I detailed the wheel-bays with a lot of copper rods and styrene sheet. The steering mechanism on the nosegear was completely rebuilt. Finally new navigation lights and new propellers for the jamming pods were added.

Painting and Decaling:
For this model I used acrylics from JPS and from Tamiya. Detail painting was done with Testors and Humbrol enamels.

It was a pleasure to work with the fine decals from CAM. They are laying perfectly into engraved panel lines and other details after using setting solutions.

After drying I weathered the model with mostly un-thinned artist oils. They should have a consistence like shoe-polish. After applying them, they were rubbed off with a tissue.

Finally a coat of Dayler-Rowney matt varnish was applied.

The Flight Deck:
The base is made from a piece of Perspex in which holes were drilled for the tie-down points from Flightpath. To simulate the texture of those decks I brushed a coat of liquid-glue on the surface.

Tow-bar and wheel-chocks are also from Flightpath where the figures and fire-tractor are from Verlinden.

Greetings from Germany

Sören Bartusch

Click on images below to see larger images