While building the R/M (Hasagawa) 1/48th BA Skyhawk I have a question that my research has yet to answer. I know the cannons were removed and they were replaced with weight to maintain the aircrafts balance. What I cannot find is whether the openings for the shell ejection were covered over like the opening in the leading edge of the wings were (where the cannons protrude). Anybody know?
I don’t know for sure, but it is a pretty safe assumption that they were covered to prevent FOD entrance and for aerodynamic reasons.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Thanks YB,
I agree that aerodynamic smooth air flow would be very important for very close formation manuevers. I’ll fill in the ejector slots. Most likely the only person that will notice will be me. Anyways, for those who are interested I found the following while doing the research for the BA A-4s.
The aircraft are “Super Fox-trot” A-4-Fs. These A-4 Fs were given an up rated P&W J-52 specifically the J-52-P-408 A with 11,200 pouns of static thrust. With an empty weight of 10,465 lbs that give the aircraft a better than 1:1 thrust to weight ratio. However the aircraft will not fly empty, It need fuel and a pilot (do ya think!). The electronic pod on other super Fs is not present on top of the vertical stabilizer for the BA aircraft.
To feed the more powerful engine the intakes had to be enlarged to let the engine breath. At the BAs official web site there is a head on shot of an A-4 and the enlarged intakes are clearly visable. Compare this shot to the head on shot of the TA-4 J while it is being refueled in the air. The TAs intakes are noticably smaller.
The two 20mm cannons have been removed and replaced with weight to balance the aircraft. The gun ports are covered over and blended into the wings. The leading edge slats are bolted into the upright position and will not automatically extend as they would on a fleet aircraft in a given flight attitude or aerodynamic condition. The aircraft has the underwing hard points but uses the inner wing points for the 250 gal fuel tanks for long flights to demo sights. The tanks and the racks are removed for demo flights.
Thus far I have not found any info about any cockpit changes to the BA aircraft. The aircraft are advertized, by the Navy, as “typical fleet aircraft” that can be combat ready in 72 hours, so maybe the fighter/attack aircraft cockpit is left in tact. Anybody know?
Colors: Blue Angles Blue FS 15050 available fron Gunze as well as Testors MM, Blue Angles Yellow FS number 13655 also available by the same paint manufacturers. I’m still researching the colors of early BA aircraft, eg the Hellcat, F-8 Bearcat, F-11-F-1, Cougar, and Panther, and the two Cutlasses used for a short time. The gear wells and struts are standard insignia gloss white FS 17875. The drag chute is a standard item for the Blues but is not seen on all fleet aircraft (Skyhawks). The Marine “Mikes” usually have the chute.
The kit, Hasagawa/RM, is excellent. I’m using Aires cockpit tub and seat and other detail parts like the flaps and air breaks, and the wheel well details. These are very nice and add crisp details. The enlarged intakes are from Cutting edge and are also excellent and fit with very little trim work. Anyways, I thought I would share what I have found so far for anyone interested.