Flight deck vehicles from navies across the world by Alex Suvorov
Writer: Alex Suvorov

 

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Introduction

 

This article covers five new model kits from F4 Models that represent flight deck vehicles seen on Australian, Brazilian, French, Russian, Spanish and the U.S. Navy carriers.



Flight Deck Tractor - Soviet / Russian Navy

These tractors were specially designed for towing aircraft on Soviet Navy carriers. They entered service with the Kiev class heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers ("TAKR" in Russian) in mid 1970s and later continued to serve on the Admiral Kuznetsov, where several vehicles are still in use.

Very few of these tractors were produced, and most of them underwent some form of customization or upgrade at some point of their service life. This resulted in a variety of wheel and tyre types, driver's position and external lighting arrangements seen on different vehicles.

The kit's configuration and markings correspond to a tractor from Admiral Kuznetsov as seen in mid-2000s. Getting a good fit between the tractor's body and fenders needs some sanding. I used thin wire to model the seat frame, some braces and drawbar pins. Side lights, rear lights and a warning beacon molded in resin could be seen as a drawback; however, one can try and fashion them from clear plastic instead (I've only got courage for the beacon). For headlights I used the aftermarket ones from Elf.

  
Click on the images to enlarge!



Flight Deck Tractor - Royal Australian Navy

In the late 1960s the Royal Australian Navy's sole active carrier, HMAS Melbourne, underwent a major refit and received a compliment of A-4 Skyhawk attack jets and S-2 Tracker ASW aircraft. Being heavier and larger than the Sea Venoms and Gannets employed previously, the new aircraft needed more powerful tow tractors to position them on the flight deck. Thus a small number of specially built tractors appeared on the Melbourne's flight deck and served until her decommissioning. Besides Skyhawks and Trackers the tractors also handled Wessex and Sea King helicopters.

The assembly is fairly straightforward. I used thin wire to make the braces and drawbar pins. For headlights and taillights, I made reflectors from self-adhesive bare metal foil and then applied drops of clear varnish and clear read paint.



Flight Deck Tractor - French Navy

These aircraft tow tractors saw service in the early 1960s on the decks of Clemenceau and Foch carriers of the French Navy. Afterwards, when Foch was sold to Brazil, her compliment of tractors went on to serve with the Brazilian Navy. Thus, a number of such tractors are still in use on A12 São Paulo.

This tractor has its headlights hidden under the radiator grille, so this has to be taken into account when assembling and painting the kit. Headlights received reflectors made of bare metal foil and then drops of clear read paint. Again, some thin wire is needed to get the drawbar assemblies right.



NC-1A Aircraft Starter Unit - U.S.Navy

NC-1A is a dedicated aircraft starter unit designed for service on carrier decks. Created on the frame of the Willys CJ-3A commercial 4x4 vehicle, NC-1A served on all U.S. Navy carriers throughout 1950s and 1960s.

This kit is a bit more complex in building than the other four, since a number of intricate shapes have to be fashioned from the lengths of thin wire. This includes gear box levers, driver seat frame, steering column, protective brace in the front and finally the starter cable (considering the scale, respective parts couldn't have been done in resin, and making them photoetched would have resulted in unrealistic flat cross sections). There are no headlights in the set, so I used aftermarket ones from Elf.



Compact Aircraft Handler - Spanish Navy

This compact aircraft handler has been designed to move and position aircraft in confined spaces, in particular on flight decks and in hangars aboard carriers and amphibious ships. The unit is electrically-powered and is controlled by a walking operator via a tow-bar steering arm. When used on ships, this unit typically handles Harrier jets and various helicopters. It is in service with the Spanish Navy (Armada Española) on Príncipe de Asturias aircraft carrier and Juan Carlos I LHD.

Most kit parts are minuscule so one needs to take care. Unfortunately there's no tread on the wheels. I used an assortment of wire lengths to make the steering arm's handles, the control cable and the main hydraulic actuators.



Conclusion

All kits have been painted and finished in the same way: first Vallejo acrylic paint, then Akan gloss varnish, MIG neutral wash, decals with Micro Set / Sol liquids and finally Vallejo matt varnish.

Those interested in model kits from F4 Models can have a look at www.phantommodels.com



 


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  Photos and text © 2012 by Alex Suvorov

February 3, 2012

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