Any consideration given to an A-4L conversion for Airfix kit?

[JMChladek]

I was thinking about only emailing Colin with this one, but I thought I might pose the question openly given it is a UK based company (and I'm a Yank as opposed to a Brit, so it would cater more to your market then mine). I recently acquired Colin's A-4C conversion set and I love what I see. I'm using it right now to do a Navy A-4C while using the Argentinean parts to accurize an A-4P I am building at the same time. But, I recently got the bug to build an A-4L after seeing pictures of a pair of recently reconditioned birds being operated by a private firm called Draken International. Pictures of them can be found here:

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=253302

So I acquired another Airfix kit and started looking for a spine to scrounge. Things are a bit scarce out there though as it seems the only separately molded fuselage spines are in the Hasegawa A-4E/F kit and the Esci A-4E/F Aggressor kit (and it is ONLY in the aggressor kit since the A-4E/F kit with weapons and drop tanks does NOT have it). Italeri's kit has the spine molded to the fuselage halves. I have no idea what the Kangnam kit has and who knows what Hobby Boss is doing with their kit.

So I'm thinking there perhaps might be a market for A-4L parts. Pairing up the A-4C nose with a new spine and the 300 gal drop tanks I think would do it, although some RWR bulges for the nose and tail wouldn't be a bad idea either for US Navy birds. Malaysia's jets were A-4Ls (and I believe the two Draken birds are using Malaysian parts), so such a set would benefit modelers of those jets as well.

So, any thoughts?

[Giorgio N]

The fuselage spine was also present in this Ertl era box of the Esci A-4:

http://www.ipmsusa3.org/gallery/popular?g2_albumId=4819&g2_itemId=200663

Said that, I agree that an A-4L conversion would be nice, as aircrafts of this version have worn some very interesting markings and have soldiered in in service well into the '70s

[theplasticsurgeon]

I built a Hasegawa A-4E as an Agressor without the spine in 2010.

If I can find the part - you're welcome to it.

[JMChladek]

If you count Malaysia's A-4s, they operated for longer than that even.

I appreciate that TPS, but I managed to get ahold of an Esci A-4 with the spine. So I am good for this build at least. I'm just thinking ahead in the future to other potential modelers who might have similar needs and desires.

[Giorgio N]

My understanding is that Malaysian aircrafts also had several other modifications, there's a very nice build in the WIP section of the forum explaining these. Maybe a set dedicated to the malaysian aircrafts would raise some interest ?

[Colin @ Freightdog Models]

Hi Jay, I'd definately like to cover tha A-4L and hope to cover Singapore and Malaysian versions to, but I need to shift the first two sets first, and get some British subject sets ready for SMW first.

Colin

[JMChladek]

Not a problem Colin. You don't necessarily HAVE TO drop everything else to do an A-4L set right this instant. But I am glad to hear more stuff will be done for Airfix's Skyhawk though. It just has to find its way into the queue.