I am modeling an A-4E from a 1/48 Hasagawa kit. It didnt come with any underwing stores other than drop tanks. What I am wondering is what would it have gone into combat with during the Vietnam war and mostly would it be more acurate to model it with or with out the drop tanks mounted? While we are at it was it really painted in GLOSS gray and wite?
Thanks for the Info
Sam1,
Five hardpoints are what the A-4E featured; the 2 outboard wing hardpoints could carry up to 500 lbs. worth of stores. The photos I have usually show drop tanks on the inboard wing hardpoints. I also have photos of Marine A-4E’s with 1 napalm canister on each hardpoint; one photo that has a Multiple Ejector Rack (MER) on the inboard stations and a TER (triple ejector rack) with 2 250 lb bombs on the outside wing stations. If you are showing buddy refueling you would have a centerline buddy refuelling tank and 2 drop tanks on the inboard wing stations. You can accurately model a full MER on the centerline and 2 drop tanks on the inboard wing stations.
Oh, yes; while you are at it, they were painted Gloss Gull Grey on top and Gloss white on bottom. In the 80’s the Marines’ A-4s were transitioning to Ghost Grey; some A-4s were painted in flat Gull Grey/Ghost grey.