I’d like some suggestions for a good A-4B Skyhawk in 1/48. I want to do an early, Viet Nam era Marine aircraft. I figure I can get decals in the aftermarket for what I want, so that is not too big of a concern.
I want something that goes together well, and is reasonably accurate. I really don’t want to have to do a ton of seam filling and such, either. I’m not too overly concerned with raised or recessed detail, and if the kit kit can be detailed a bit better with readily accessable aftermarket parts, I’m game for that as well.
The best one in that scale is by Hasegawa. Hobbycraft makes a decent one, but it needs work in the cockpit. But for early model Skyhawks, the choices are very limited.
The Hasegawa A-4’s are great fitting with good detail. IMHO Eduard’s color Zoom cockpit adds a lot, but it’s discontinued so it’ll be an order or eBay item. Let us know what you decide to build, and please post pictures!
I’ll agree with the recommendation for the Hasegawa. I did the A4M a few years ago. Great detail right out of the box, very well fitting kit. The decals were problematic, if I remember right.
It’s a pity it has to be 1/48 - otherwise the new Airfix A-4B Skyhawk is just a darling - not a very expensive kit and if you shake the box right the finished model falls riht out of it… Almost. Good luck with finding the right kit and have a nice day
I can recommend the Steel Beach conversion set for the Hasegawa A-4E kit.
Decal-wise, depending on what squadron you want to do, it could be easy or hard. What will work in your favor is that squadron markings for individual units may not have changed to any great degree while the unit flew different versions of the A-4. While there aren’t a lot of dedicated A-4B/C sheets out there, there are a bunch more A-4E sheets available. You’ll have to do a little research if you want to be as accurate as possible, and possibly a little masking & painting if you want to take it to the Nth degree.
Common markings will generally be the same with one exception. The intake warning style on the early Skyhawks is a different style than the large, triangular style that is still used today. You’ll see it on the images below.
Hope this helps and good luck with your Scooter project.
If I remember right a number of A-4E’s are modified A-4 C’s. Ditto on the Hasagawa A-4’s being the best choice. If you want a prototype A-4 get the old Lindberg kit. Said with tongue in cheek and more than a bit cheeky. It is however a good representation of the earliest Skyhawk. The early skyhawk weighed 8000 pounds empty and would qualify as a light aircraft by FAA standards. It is a great old bird. Think about it, they started production in the early 1950s and are still flying.
No, the A-4C was modified into the A-4L, akin to the F-4J to F-4S. The A-4B upgraded was the A-4P and Q for Argentina. The E had a new nose area, engine, and intake area with splitter plates, as well as additional hardpoints in the wings.
The Lindberg kit is indeed an early A4D. But man to bring that kit up to speed…
