ICM B-26K Counter Invader "Special Kay" 1/48 Scale Full Build Video

Greeting everyone! This has been probably my most involved project of 2023. This is the ICM B-26K Counter Invader in 1/48 scale. I used the kit markings for "Special Kay" and added a ton of scratch building into it! I also made a diorama base for it using mostly 3D printed items. Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Links to some of the 3D files:
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instagram: hammerheadmodelmaking
/ hammerheadmodelmaking
Also be sure to check out Stonehaven Miniatures!
www.stonehaven...

[@DaysOfSail1850]

I very much appreciate that you talk and explain what you're doing and why!So many model building videos are either speed build or are closed captions.I don't waste my time with them.Thank you!!!P.S. A very gorgeous build with lots of fantastic details to feast the eyes with!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I really appreciate the kind comments, like you, I like to hear what a modeler is doing and why he is doing it, thats why I've started doing mine like this.

[@ashhawk2346]

I massively respect your level of model making! And also your research done into this aircraft shouldn't go unappreciated either! Bravo, absolute Mastery!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats very kind of you to say, thank you very much!!

[@brndnlvdm690s]

I actually volunteered at the Vintage Flying Museum working on the real Special Kay. It was an awesome experience!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Woah! Thats awesome! Thanks for your contribution to restoring a one of a kind flying legend!

[@StevoLondon]

This a fantastic build, 1st class finish considering the clean up work to make it come together. I have this kit in the stash and has given me some valuable tips to build it, Great job 👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@StevoLondon]

@@HammerheadModelMaking Hi sorry this comment was meant for the B1-B build, a lot less clean up & alteration on this kit!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

@@StevoLondon No worries!

[@cyhn]

I've watched all 1:14:16 without skipping. This is epic, well done !

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you, I really appreciate that!

[@mikemoore6233]

Beautiful build,but then again all your builds are above board,I truly appreciate and enjoy watching your videos, I had to gave up building about 2 years ago due to Parkinson, it sucks,but as long as you keep posting your builds,I'll be rite there at the work bench. Thank You again for your videos,it keeps me in the loop..

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much, sad to hear you are no longer able to build, but I'm glad you can get some vicarious bench time through my videos.

[@ChristianSchroter-ok4sk]

Hello mr. Hammer!very very nice work.thank u4ur efforts.i truly appreciate them.thank u4sharing.with best regards and sticky greetings from Brandenburg germany.yours truly.your modellmate.christian

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kiwiruna9077]

Hey Brett, Can't think of many better ways to kill an hour or so than watching a Hammerhead modelling video. Your take on this kit is phenomenal, 👍👍👍 I have to agree the SEA camo scheme is pretty awesome.Well done mate.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Really appreciate the kind words, thanks for watching!!

[@Jelly-B]

Hammer it's Absolutely Stunning. Your attention to detail and scratch built interior is 2nd to none mate. Superb job!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you so much!!

[@mantia39]

Your attention to detail is unmatched. Bravo sir!👏👏👏👏👏

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@NishenNaidoo-v9t]

Wow, bud. Another amazing build. I love the paint work and simple details you added to make this such a realistic build. Beautiful diorama set. You must do an SR-71 Blackbird next 😃😃😃

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you so much! SR-71 is definitely on the wishlist!

[@LcarlosCiceron8254]

Absolutamente espectacular!! 👏👏 Una vez más vemos la realidad de que los modelos rusos de sus aviones de combate son copia o inspiración de los modelos de combate occidentales. El Su 25, está inspirado en el A-26A. Hay que ser muy tonto para no darse cuenta. Una maqueta digna de Museo, felicitaciones a este virtuoso artesano del modelismo👏👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@lindyprusso649]

Love the details of the cockpit

[@lindyprusso649]

Your skill level is better than you think

[@JohnJohn-ec6kx]

My brother is a retired 79 year old attorney living on the beach in California. When he was in college in the 1960s, he had a wife and two children to support. One of the side jobs he had was working on the modifications of these A-26 Invaders at On-Mark in Van Nuys, California at the Van Nuys Airport. My other brother was in Marine at the time in Vietnam with an Marine F-8 crusader fighter squadron. 20 years later, I would be flying C-130s out of the same airport in Van Nuys. Countless times I drove down Woodley Ave, where On Mark was located and thought about when my brother and the A-26s were there.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Woah, thats a really neat personal story! Thank you for sharing! Looks like your brother and the folks at On-Mark did a great job with these invaders!

[@InternationalBritishModeler]

Super job! Those ICM kits are really nice kits to build.... I love their figures, too, always nicely detailed. Liked and subscribed! Cheers 👍🙂🥃🥃

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you for the sub! Yeah, this was my first ICM kit and I wasn't disappointed, I also have a few of the figure sets in my stash, they are equally nice!

[@InternationalBritishModeler]

@@HammerheadModelMaking You're welcome. I look forward to seeing your future builds come to life. 👍🙂

[@firefox3187]

Yer there great kits, good basing detail to build closed up. Or if super detailing like in this vid, a nice base to start from. They tend to do all sub versions of a subject. Also this was one of there kits, that was still being developed and worked on when they where invaded. Apart for a few months, whilst they where evacuating staff and tooling. Repairing there unit in Kiev, then got back to work and where shipping and still releasing products, as Russian forces where still being cleared from pockets near Kiev. And (in the EU/UK) there still not that expensive.

[@gabrielpalmieri2707]

it looks awesome!!!! excellent work sir!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@apathtrampledbydeer8446]

Keep on churning out these magnificent beauties!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

will do!

[@mikecolson2257]

What an incredible video! So much attention to detail. Excellent descriptions of what you were doing as well.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much! Thank you for watching!

[@mikecolson2257]

@@HammerheadModelMaking Now I am watching more of your videos as we message! I haven't looked through your catalogue of videos yet, but have you done a video on what kind of tools, equipment, and sundries you use? Also, as for looking at very tiny parts, do you wear any kind of vision enhancement equipment (other than prescription glasses)?

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

@@mikecolson2257 I don't have a video like that yet, I do plan on doing one at some point though, as for vision enhancement, I do have a set of magnifying glasses that I use occasionally for small painting, but I'm quite fortunate to still have great eyesight and do most of modeling with any vision aids.

[@yannloiseau172]

Very nice work, very nice video and commentary.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!!

[@fotomakr]

Great work! Really like the scratch building additions like that fuel bladder in the bomb bay. I’ve got this in my stash and will hopefully get to it next year (2024). Some good ideas for me here 😊

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad it can be helpful, good luck on your build!!

[@MrDastardly]

Great work!! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!!

[@woody8942]

Very very great build buddy going to catch up On your videos well done lovely kit.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy the rest!

[@ModelAirplaneMaker]

Very nice finish - I really enjoyed following along.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@foorcscale]

Absolutely awesome and inspirational work my friend. I very much like your simple and methodical approach to adding detail. You are also spot on about 3D printing, something which I am setting up for as a big part of advancing the hobby for me. This kit is now in my shopping cart!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Awesome, thank you!

[@truthhurts9241]

Lots of Oooohs and Aaaahs. Very nice indeed. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

My pleasure!

[@GhostRider247]

and once again an absolutley stunning build !!!!!! WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!!

[@scaleffect]

Great looking build. Thanks for sharing your hard work

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Much appreciated!

[@gonzalomendoza3152]

Spectacular work! Truly inspiring!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@maxschwarz439]

Your finish really inspired me to do some of your recommendations in my future builds. Was an absolute pleasure to watch you build such a beautiful model.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ChristopherMcCormack-w9v]

Really good l looking forward for more of your work keep it coming thank you Chris MC.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

More to come!

[@stephenrose1343]

Stunning build.My favourite part, is watching you augment the interior with scratch built items, inspiring. 👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@geoffacox]

Beautiful, I'm almost speechless, thank you.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Wow, thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@themodelstudent20]

I SAY EXCELSIOR GOOD SIR. Awesome building skills on display. Learning Tons due to both the techniques and image quality being excellent!! Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Appreciate the kind words! Thanks for watching!

[@808v1]

fantastic build and the painting/weathering is superb.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much! Thanks for watching!

[@HangardelModelista]

Great job! It turned out great 👍🏻

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@aliveRaptor2929]

Fantastic work and attention to authentic details ✅✅✅

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@markshaw5903]

Fantastic Video, Thank You :D, loved it!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for watching!

[@josephstabile9154]

Thanks for the video of the excellent build of your B-26K! Your commitment to research & detail really shows! Zinc chromate is a specialized primer paint that is designed to "bite" into the underlying aluminum, and thus not just adhere, but strongly bond. Thus, zinc chromated aluminum will almost never "chip". That's why you will see, on the contemporary photos of Navy planes having much wear of the surface paint, the underlying zinc chromated primer still showing, instead of also being "flaked" off. This is NOT to say the zinc chromate finish cannot be eroded, as from heavy footwear or sand/coral dust, but that represents a pressure/contact erosion, rather than flaking/chipping from repeated temperature flex/stress cycles. You won't see zinc chromated interiors, even when fuel or oil stained, that are chipped or flaked. IF the finish has been worn to bare metal, it is from heavy & repeated contact erosion. This chemical bonding with the aluminum surface distinguishes zinc chromate from the vast majority of paints.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for all of the info, that will be useful for future builds!!

[@pretzelogic2689]

Fantastic presentation. Really enjoyed the commentary -- that made it extremely useful. Congratulations on a beautiful model. I have one on my shelf. It will have to wait there until my skill levels improve. Thanks for your efforts.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you kindly for the feedback! I'm sure when you get around to it, you'll enjoy the B-26K!

[@mikepalmer1971]

I have always loved this plane. Very cool. It turned out great.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@guiduz3469]

Among the many that I watched, this is the most creative and well narrated of them all. Congratulations for this amazing work of art and thanks for sharing.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats very kind of you to say, thank you for watching!

[@StephenDawson-ih5mm]

Very nice paint job. Groundwork and aircraft spot on well done . Steve U.K.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@richelias2973]

Excellent job. You do a great job of explaining what you are doing and how you go a bout getting the desired effect. Thanks for sharing your excellent A-26.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

My pleasure!

[@themodellingmuppet]

Another cracking build and lots of inspiration 👏

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you my friend!

[@ricky4k743]

Fantastic build! I love scratch building and u did a great job on it. Thanks for sharing

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks a bunch!

[@loganski_2158]

Very beautiful absolutely love how awesome your a-26 looks amazing

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much my friend!

[@FlokisModels]

You did an incredible job with all the scratch building, painting, and weathering!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you so much!!

[@AB-mw8oz]

ICM i think are a slept on company. I've built a couple of ICM kits. They've always been a dream to build, the decals are just okay, but the quality of the kits themselves are pretty solid, at a reasonable price

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I agree, I think they continue to refine their processes and each new release is better than the last, I'm excited to see what they do in the future!

[@3DFantasyForgeModels]

Stunning model and excellent build

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Many thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@chrisloomis1489]

Very skilled work , amazing .

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@GOODEY41]

Great work the detail is amazing

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@VikingGuard]

Thank you for this, loving it :)

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@leesouter9627]

Wow that was well worth the hour spent watching this build really looking forward to your next.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Awesome, thank you for watching!

[@laMoort]

Wonderful job, Wonderful ❤

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you so much 😀

[@carlostrevino8248]

beautiful work and great details.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@davidpowell6098]

Beautiful job, well done to you, sir.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!!

[@panzerlukas86]

Great build, especiaily interior. I find it very inspirational in my rescent builds of some aircrafts.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@PirateMTH_ToddH]

Fantastic work and an awesome model. I appreciate your selection of subjects to model. And of course the extra added details... You set a high bar. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ldom77]

awesome build and paint ! thanks for your video

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for watching!

[@grantmiller6570]

That's awesome man, looks really great.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks a ton!

[@calebvaldecanas8867]

Love this! If you do end up doing a battleship some time, I’d like to see a Nelson Class. I feel they’re rather underrated and overheated as battleships, so I haven’t seen a good model video of one. I’d love to see one from you! My personal suggestion would be the Rodney in 1941 as she hunted down the Bismarck, since she still had her torpedo tubes in as well.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you for watching! I really want to do a battleship, but it will most likely be a ways off. I think I would do the battleship New Jersey as I have something of a personal connection to that ship, but Nelson/Rodney would be interesting, they are certainly unique among battleships of the world!

[@JiluMiah-ek2rd]

What an amazing build!! 🎉

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you, I'm quite proud of this one.

[@voodoonights1671]

Great build and a brilliant video. Well described and easy to take tips from. So many just play music or nothing at all(they are still good) and it's so refreshing to hear the modeller and the thoughts you had when doing it. Keep up the brilliant wok.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for the feedback! I always like hear modelers talk about their models, so I like to talk about mine :)

[@darthhokum]

Amazing work 🔥🔥🔥

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@defdef6230]

Stunning build my friend! Cheers from Argentina...

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@barrywhitfield930]

Awesome build!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you think so!

[@brianmontgomery1619]

Beautiful job!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Jason-tg5ky]

Great work, thanks for sharing.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonygary7611]

Amazing work

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@tonygary7611]

​@@HammerheadModelMakingvery welcome

[@Bryan-cs9to]

Excellent work!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Many thanks!

[@ianhay8938]

Excellent build nigel❤👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@edutaimentcartoys]

awesome

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@edutaimentcartoys]

@@HammerheadModelMaking you're welcome

[@w.g.6961]

Wow. Great work. Thx!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Glad you liked it!

[@stevenanderson236]

Great job!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Ale.Scalemodels]

Great build my friend! Love the super detailing with scratch, the paintjob and weathering and also the base is super! Congrats man!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks a bunch Alessandro!

[@goforitpainting]

Really cool 👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!!

[@pampabewohner]

Impressive, i'm speechless. 😲

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@sergeigen1]

very nice, i love the diorama

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you very much!

[@malcolmthorpe2008]

I just tried Vallejo gloss black primer. 24 hours drying and yep, one spot peeled on my spitfire 1/72 when I peeled masks off. Following to see what primer you find. I also noticed M.R.S. Hobbies on your scratch build supplies. That is my hobby shop too. Good to see another modeler in Utah. Excellent work on your builds.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I've pretty much moved on to using Mr Surfacer 1500 or Tamiya Fine Surface primer. I will only use Vallejo primer when I need to primer something quickly or I know I wont be doing any masking. And yes, MRS is my go-to hobby shop, I only live less than a 5 minute drive so I'm there quite often!

[@treyzmodels422]

Very nicely done!👍🏆

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@panzfaust9812]

Looks amazing. Impressed

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dradden1556]

Awesome 👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@daneshivers2921]

when I opened the canopy on mine, I saved the frame and glued on some clear from a common blister pack. The plastic was thin enough to conform to the frame... actually worked out better than what I hoped for. Dane

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thats a really smart idea!

[@mikeMuppetmodeller]

Just watched this build and got to say Wow !! Hopefully my builds can get this good and my channel this good also.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for watching, and I have no doubt you can get your modelling to where you want it!

[@Marie579]

Youtpr youtube title is wrong, it should read “Hammerhead Model Masterclass”. Your workmanship is inspiring.👍👍👍

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Lol, thank you! Thats kind of you to say!

[@Sniper_Cat_71]

Absolutely superb job. Impressive work Brett!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!!

[@Sniper_Cat_71]

@@HammerheadModelMaking You bet! I think this one is really special, a true masterpiece!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

@@Sniper_Cat_71 I appreciate the kind words!

[@gerardoherrera2250]

Si lo fue un largo video pero disfruté cada minuto viendo su gran habilidad y su minuciosidad en los pequeños detalles, y el resultado final fue ¡¡Increíble!!, Gracias

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@frankbodenschatz173]

Nice series of models.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you!

[@challenger_commander]

wow....just wow!!!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@LEXHOBBYSTORECOLECIONAVEIS]

NIce build!!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@KS-ModelismoAviacionHobby]

nice 👍🏿👍👍🏽👍🏻👍🏼👍🏾

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thank you 👍

[@mothamus7745]

I enjoyed your video so I subscribed

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I greatly appreciate the sub!

[@paulsmodels]

Very nice! You put why more work into that kit then I ever would or could. I have the Revell/Pro Modeller kit of the A-26B sitting in my small stash waiting to be started. It's one of my favorite airplanes. Cheers!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Oh yeah, I've built that Pro Modeller kit before! Not a bad kit! Thanks for watching!

[@xXx0Nichts]

nice one

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for the visit!

[@shadovanish7435]

Excellent aircraft model build & Diorama of the A-26K "Counter Invader"! Your attention to details on the model is superb! The A-26K aircraft used in Vietnam were the product of a rebuild program by the On Mark Engineering company in the early '60's to suit Air Force requirements (counter insurgency, I believe) for Southeast Asia. According to what I understand, On Mark Engineering remanufactured the fuselage & tail, added a larger rudder, reinforced the wings, upgraded engine power, & made other changes to the A-26 airframes that were rebuilt. I suppose doing this was less expensive & time consuming than designing a whole new aircraft for a counter insurgency role (which it seems was the role of the OV-1 & OV-10 aircraft, but perhaps these aircraft had not yet entered service when the A-26K aircraft were being built).

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks for sharing all of that and for watching the video!

[@ILSRWY4]

Beautiful Model! I'm envious! But just one thing.. you do know the name "Special Kay" was not a real name of a combat used A-26A (B-26K) or any A-26A for that matter. "Special Kay" was a name given by it restorers because it is the only A-26A(B-26K) flying making it a "Special" A-26A (B-26K), hence "Special K" So if anyone is modeling an A-26A as the "Special Kay" it should be modeled in a clean restored appearence. Also NO A-26A served in combat displaying national insignias, and the "IF" tail code were aircraft based stateside training squadron. Other than that, you model itself is fantastic!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I actually didn't know that about Special Kay, but thank you for informing me. I guess that makes my model fall into the category of "what if"!

[@ILSRWY4]

@@HammerheadModelMaking A VERY NICE looking What if! :)

[@johndesalvo7738]

In response to the lead comment above: Great model! But just one thing….ANYONE, making ANY model should model it ANY way they want to. But thanks Richard! 😂

[@ILSRWY4]

@@johndesalvo7738Oh here comes the old Model Railroader justification... "Its my layout, i model the way I want" that approach is only justifying mistakes. Look, modeling is all about realism, period, otherwise its all fictitious.

[@ILSRWY4]

@@johndesalvo7738 oh, here comes thw know it all. " uh….modeling is what you want it to be about but you are correct, it’s all fictitious, even your realistic models, yup, they’re fake too." Who's the know it all now.... certainly not you, because it's "THE" not "THW". LOL 🤣😅

[@Mark-BS-YT-name]

Superb work. I'm currently building the glass nose B-26C and want to do something similar with the Marston matting.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

I got the file from a modeler on Instagram, goes by @roberto_modelscale.

[@Mark-BS-YT-name]

@HammerheadModelMaking Thank you, I saw later in your video you mention that some of the download links were in the video text. I found it in there. Great build & very inspirational.

[@IvanMarchev]

Perfect!

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Thanks!

[@lagg-alot8308]

Nice that you did not go crazy on chipping and weathering. Gives historical believably to the scene.

[@HammerheadModelMaking]

Cheers mate, thanks for watching!