|
Gal mainpage Ad below main pic
|
Douglas/Grumman A-4PTM Skyhawk
In
1980, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) purchased a mixed number of A-4Cs and
A-4Ls. However, due to escalation of modification costs, the TUDM decided to
update only 40 airframes, 32 of them being A-4PTMs and the remaining as TA-4PTM
trainers. Deliveries of all aircrafts were completed by early 1986.
Powered
by refurbished J65-W-20 engines, new avionics were also installed.
These includes the AN/ARN-118 TACAN, Saab RGS-2A lead computing weapon
sight, a Lear Siegler altitude heading system and an AN/ARC-164 UHF transceiver.
External avionics hump, a standard feature of A-4L, were also retained. Others
include an enlarged canopy, similar to A-4Ms, and the drag chute, located aft
lower fuselage.
The
A-4PTM (Peculiar to Malaysia), as far as weaponry goes, were wired with AIM-9
Sidewinders for air defence role. Though up to only 20 A-4PTMs were configured
to carry the AGM-65 Maverick for the maritime and close air support roles.
All
TUDM Skyhawks were based in Kuantan, with No. 6 & 9 Skuadrons. But its
service life was relatively brief until the replacement by BAe Hawk Mk 208s in
late 1994.
However,
the TUDM retained 6 A-4PTMs as operational tankers for the Hawk Mk 208s. All six
were configured to carry the Douglas D-704 buddy pod on centerline pylon. The
featured model below is an example of a ‘Buddy Pod Scooter’.
Happy
modeling!
Sebastian
Republic of Singapore
|
Gal mainpage Ad above main pic
|
|
|
