Its a 1/144th scale B-57G by A Model. The B-57G was a specialized model in the B-57 family. The cheek below the cockpit housed an early FLIR pod and these aircraft would monitor the Ho Chi Minh trail near Viet Nam, searching for truck convoys at night and movement in general.
This is my first A Model kit. As I understand it, A Model produces very unique subjects but are also a bear to build. Think NO location pins and lots of putty.
Still, I was aware these aircraft existed ever since I was a kid (thanks to Squadron and Lou Drendel) but I never thought that one would be modeled.
They were also effective although finding any history is tough.
Off the top of my head, the squadron was based out Homestead AFB in Fla. and flew out of UDORN RTAB in northern Thailand. They started to operate over the trail sometime in 1968 ( I think?).
Ah, cottage industry kits! I remember them well and built some good models from them, but they sure are a lot of work! Most of those I built were even more work than vacuforms. Good luck with this one. If you put the work in you should get good results.
I started checking A Model out several years ago. Their entire line is unique.
They have the ONLY Lear 60 kit (in 1/72nd scale) and one that would make Mick happy:
The ORIGINAL "blunt nose" (no radome) C-130 with three blade props.
I remember those vac-form kits.
These are injection molded but are also close to the really old "slush mold" kits, so they are a bit of an adventure to build.
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