USMC A-4M Skyhawk II Trumpeter 1/32nd scale

[Piero]

Hello,

 

Here is my USMC A-4M Skyhawk II number 160024 in VMA-311 Tomcats markings around the mid 1980s.

 

BRIEF HISTORY

 

The A-4M Skyhawk II was the dedicated Marine version with improved avionics and more powerful J52-P-408a engine with 11,200 lbf (50 kN) thrust, enlarged cockpit, IFF system. Later the A-4M were fitted in the nose with the Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) with TV and laser spot tracker.

The A-4M was the ultimate Skyhawk type in use with USMC. The final A-4M Skyhawk was delivered to USMC in 1979, and were used until the mid-1980s before they were replaced by the AV-8B Harrier II.

The last Skyhawk retired from USMC was the OA-4M two-seater variant in 1994.

 

KIT

 

The model is based on the Trumpeter A-4 Skyhawk series in 1/32^nd scale.

Those kits are good, not at level of Tamiya/Hasegawa kits, but can be easily improved to obtain a nice Skyhawk  replica in large scale. Size, shapes and construction remind me the Hasegawa’s A-4 Skyhawk in 1/48^th scale… with the same pros and cons.

The plastic is a little bit soft and this can be a problem with strong glue, filler and sanding.

 

CONSTRUCTION

 

Basically all the specific parts of the A-4M variant are in the box, but I had to improve and details a lot those parts in shape and fines.

 

All the following parts are made from scratch:

·         FOD for jet intakes and engine exhaust;

·         Details of the rear cockpit bulkhead.

 

The followings are kit parts modified and detailed:

·         All undercarriage bays, legs and wheels;

·         ECM/RWR antennas and bulges;

·         Arrestor hook;

·         Windscreen wiper;

·         Cockpit tube and canopy details and rails.

 

Some resin and PE aftermarket sets were used too:

·         Aires resin set for some antennas;

·         Eduard PE for vortex generator rows over the wings.

·         Eduard PE for slates vane;

·         Mk.82 bombs;

·         Cannon barrels;

 

Many access panels, panel lines and rivets were re-scribed.

 

COLORS & MARKINGS

 

Paint were from the acrylics lines of Gunze and Tamiya.

 

For the main TPS pattern colors from top to bottom:

·         Gunze H306 Gray FS36320;

·         Gunze H308 Light Gray FS36375;

·         Gunze H338 Light Gray FS 36495.

 

A black primer was sprayed first all over the model.

Then, thin layers of paint were airbrushed to obtain some variation of shades. Some drops of black and white were added to the basic TPS colors to create a random patchwork of new/old paint and weathering effects.

 

The bombs are finished with colors and stencils to represent training drills.

 

No one made a decal sheet for Low-Viz A-4M in 1/32^nd scale nor inside the kit itself.

So, I collect most of the stencils, serial number and codes from many different sources. The big Tomcat on the vertical fin sides is the black one from CAM decal sheet for Hi-Viz A-4M, over sprayed with highly thinned gray paint.

 

RBF tags were added to finish the model.

 

And now some pictures of the completed model.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CIAO!

Piero

Edited November 2, 2016 by Piero

[corsaircorp]

Hello,

Ho what a nice scooter, everythings seem to be ok.

Congratulations.

Corsaircorp

[stevej60]

Beautifully finished Scooter,love the weathering

[Rod bettencourt]

Great looking scooter and really nice build. Thanks for sharing.

 

 

Rod

[rotaliscia]

Sooooooooooo niiiiiiiice! :-)

[modelling minion]

That is seriously good.

Great subtle weathering.

Very well done.

 

Craig.

[Red Dot]

brilliant model Piero

[Knight_Flyer]

Looks like a great build and paint finish, quite an awesome model in 1/32

[Latinbear]

If I didn't know it was a model I would say that it is the real aircraft. Fantastic work.

[eng]

Ooooo, now that's gorgeous! Love the cat decal on the fin, very nice. Beautifully painted and weathered, and the dummy bombs add just a nice touch of colour too.

 

Fantastic work.

 

Eng

[Mr B]

lovely skyhawk

 

always a treat too see one

 

rgds

[Mark4700]

Fantastic work and excellent photos  

[Squibby]

Oh that is just stunning...

the lovely realistic weathering and little details bring it to life. Great work!

[F4u]

Superb Skyhawk, nice weathering and nice details make for a great looking jet.

 

Guy

Edited November 3, 2016 by F4u

[batcode]

stunning build looks great.... very nice job on the scheme and the finish looks very nice , some nice attention to detail....great build..

[Orion]

Excellent job and first class photography.

A prize winner at the contest.

Regards,

Dirk

The Netherlands.

[F-32]

Truly one of the nicest Scooters I've seen - great job