1/48 Hasegawa A-4E Skyhawk

Gallery Article by Frederic Cottin on Mar 28 2017

 

      

Hello fellows modelers.

After a long period of stagnation I finally managed to carry out a project!  Here is my small A-4E finished.  The model is the Eduard edition issued from the excellent Hasegawa kit.

For the occasion the Czech manufacturer has upgraded the basic kit with some photoetched pieces, an escapac resin ejection seat and a set of adhesive masks.

Click on images below to see larger images

In terms of "less", it is still a pity that Eduard did not include his set intended to correct the main defect of the Hasegawa model, namely the forward wheel molded integrally with the landing gear. History of adding small expenses to the big I guess ...

For the "plus", the decals sheet is not stingy with decorations, with the possibility of making six US NAVY aircraft operating during the Vietnam War.

My choice is an A-4E of the VA -195 "The Dambusters" from the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany.

If it is not two additional tanks, there is no other load to be installed under the plane (Eduard and Hasegawa are probably both pacifists ...).

So I had to find in the spare parts box, six “snakeyes” bombs to give a little more warrior aspect to my Scooter.

Unfortunately, I found nothing convincing to figure out the central tank. Too bad because he was often installed on the VA-195's aircraft during their tour if duty.

Best regards dear friends!

Frederic Cottin

Photos and text © by Frederic Cottin