Progress and plans continue even if I haven't been posting it. The A variant will be the bright scheme, with wings out, and a CAP mission load of Phoenix, Sparrow and Sidewinders. It has a simpler one color gray Tamiya XF80 overall but will be "dirty". The D will be subdued, wings swept with a TARP. (Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod) It has a 3 color scheme that I hope I can mask off. I'm doing that one first because the wings are not as fragile. I'm using this image and profile as reference.
Through a complex process of looking at photos, profiles, internet opinion, and guesswork. I arrived at these colors for them. The intake was called out on one profile for the A but I have decided not to use it. There will be a little adjusting with other colors as the layers are applied so there will be a visible difference between them. Honestly, I'm going more for looking good then being a perfect representation. I salute
fubar57
and his dedication to getting his colors spot on!!
This is what the physical differences between the kit parts are for the A - D versions. The engines changed from P&W TF-30-P412 to F110-GE-400 and the "beaver tail" at the very aft end is slightly different. I think this is fuel dump, maybe electronic items?
I have the nose section assembled and I added a mixture of very fine lead bird shot and glue into them for balance. Needless to say, there is now bird shot all over the work bench. I went to the trouble to add a pilot instrument panel, it's about a 2mm trapezoid.
I shortened the nose gear for the A but I will not go any further to drop the launch bar in the front, the holdback bar or the deck shuttle.