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A-4M vs A-4F external difference


TOPGUN88

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looking at the 1/72 tamiya kit of the A-4E/F and esci israeli hot rod kit I have n the stash is there any noticeable difference between the F and the M version externally. im looking at building a brazillian navy bird with the 15 year anniversary markings. 

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Its a different cat - A-4M had a J52-P-408 engine with 11,200 lb.s.t., enlarged three-inch wider cockpit, different canopy, squared-off fin tip, self starter,  and could use a ribbon drag chute.  Had lots of internal differences and laser spot tracker, whilst the avionics hump was maintained.   Note all E/F are not the same either - they evolved, engines, refuelling probes etc.  Many had the bigger intakes with the bigger engine needing more air (hard to spot but if you had the two aircraft in front of you - you can see a difference).  BUT do not be fooled by a batch of A-4F that received many of the abilities of the A-4M - including the square fin cap.  These were only used by few line squadrons (USN & USMC) - near the end of fleet use.  Then they went on the aggressor style role with VFC units - as they were hotter than the rest of USN stock.  They still had the old style glass works - thus easy to tell them apart.

The Brazilian Skyhawk are ex Kuwait - Thus A-4KU end of the line like A-4M and A-4N.

Pat Martin

 

 

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M has a different windscreen (same shape as the T birds) and a bigger canopy.

While it does have an avionics hump its a different shape the the E/F series being wider and flatter along the top.

Very different panel layout to the E/F's 

Internal starter with a large exhaust port on the starboard side

Various sensors and such around the nose.

They do have a drag chute and chaff dispensers but so do a few early variants notably the A-4K post Kahu

Hot dog antennae on the fin (also fitted to the A-4F "Super Fox"

Big bore 408 engine (again also fitted to the Super Fox)

Some M's had the uprated main landing gear with enlarged gear doors and a scissor link at the base of the leg

Brazilian AF-1's (Brazil designation) are as mentioned above are the ex Kuwati A-4KU's. These were based on the 

A-4N as opposed the the A-4M and had a different avionics and weapons system fit than the M

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15 minutes ago, Wez said:

Is the Tamiya kit a re-pop of the Italeri kit?

 

Just now, Giorgio N said:

 

Yes it is

 

Thanks Giorgio, thought as much, IIRC, they've re-popped many Italeri kits.

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12 minutes ago, Wez said:

 

 

Thanks Giorgio, thought as much, IIRC, they've re-popped many Italeri kits.

 

Yep, Tamiya has a long running agreement with Italeri to sell Italeri kits under their brand on the Japanese market. In this way Tamiya can cover the lower end of the market with a good number of subjects without having to develop their own tools.

Edited by Giorgio N
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The air intakes of the M and Super Fox are wider than those of the F/E as the more powerful engine needs more air.

Tommy H. Thomason described this in his blog "Tailhook Topics".

http://tailspintopics.blogspot.jp/2011/02/super-fox.html

He also posted quite a lot of articles on the A-4 Scooter which may help your project.

http://tailspintopics.blogspot.jp/search?q=a4d

 

Jun in Tokyo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/horaburo/albums

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