1/48 AMT ES-3A Shadow

[ghodges]

I built this electronic version of the S-3 Viking with a Black Box resin interior, Paragon resin wing folds, and the Metallic Details resin/PE engine set. 

Here's the BB resin cockpit painted and installed. It fit better than any other resin cockpit I've ever used on a model! Note that it's actually an S-3A/B cockpit and the main IP isn't accurate for the ES-3A electronic cockpit; but who can see under that dark tinted canopy?  Even so, I did install only one of the control sticks to be more accurate for this version.

The ram air intake in the tail fin was just a hole in the kit, so I used some of the tubing seen there, capped off with a punched plastic disk to create an intake duct.

Using the Paragon resin wing folds involves major surgery and some heavy sanding to blend them into the wings. You do need to be careful also not to break off the small disks that do extend a bit higher than the folds on the top side, though they're not as fragile as they look.

This the Metallic details resin and PE engines set, partially assembled. The instructions take careful study as they don't show clearly all of the casting areas that need removal. However, once you start trying to test fit things you'll figure out there's more to be done! The resin parts fit together VERY well! The advantages offered using this set are the realistic fan blades that you can actually see through ala the real engine, circular intake housings with no seams to sand, and they and their pylons all fit so well to the model I was able to paint them and decal them separately and then add them to the model after painting and decaling the fuselage.

This pic of the left engine shows just how amazing the finished product looks!

The markings came from a CAM decal sheet. The model was pre-shaded with black lines before painting the overall Light Ghost Gray scheme and then all panel lines were done with a pencil. On to the rest of the pics!

The only other anomaly on this kit was the need to add 25+ antennas of various shapes, sizes, and types in various spots! The kit instructions require a bit of study to be sure to get them all in the right spots.

This is #21 for this year and I'm going to try to slide yet one more quick build in just under the wire in the coming week! Critiques, questions, and comments welcome as always!

 

Gil 

Edited December 23, 2025 by ghodges

[Mark Deliduka]

Way to go Gil! This is a fantastic model! I commend you for all that work on the resin and P/E parts; those engines are stunning!

[Boots]

 Oh man Gil, your Shadow turned out great. I really did the overall appearance especially the subtle weathering!  Where did you get the Metsllic Details set from? I hope that they do other powerplant sets?

Happy Modeling, 

Mike

Edited December 28, 2025 by Boots

[ghodges]

Thanks for the kind words! I got the engines from a friend in my local club. Here's a link to their website: https://metallicdetails.com/product/md4831-s-3a-viking-engines/

 

You can probably also find some for sale on Ebay or elsewhere on line.

 

Gil 

[Jmarc]

VVVVVVVVVVVERY NICELY DONE !!!!

[Bradley25mm]

Outstanding job Gil. Love all the add ons!