CJP Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Hi Steve Long or any other ex RAN Skyhawk maintainers - I'm embarking on a long term restoration of an old 1/32 Hasegawa A4 Skyhawk of mine that ended up on the SOD - just wondering if I can get some guidance on the cockpit colours - I've seen some colour photos and it looks basically a mix of light greys & black instruments - ejection seat and parachute packs colours too - specifically looking for RAN A4G colours for the cockpit which I assume might be standard USN? - I am in the process of fitting an Avionics resin cockpit set. CJP 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 CJ, I think you will find the cockpit was the same as USN birds. Found this inst panel image at the Aussie Skyhawk Tales website and this cockpit image on a RAN Skyhawk FB page A better shot showing more of the cockpit, A4-G on left, Kahu on the right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 That's great Ray - very helpful information and thanks for that website link - not one I had seen before. CJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abat Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Hi CJP, There’s some good comments on colours, etc in this thread I started on an RAN TA-4G. Sadly, this one is still on my shelf. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) Thanks abat - this is exactly the kind of information I wanted - some interesting photos on your TA4G build - I feel like I'm getting somewhere with the cockpit colours now - also noted Steve's comments on seats etc - my Hasegawa A4G is a bit of a train wreck now I decided to pull it apart but I think it is going to work out eventually - a nice kit worth a bit of TLC CJP Edited April 17, 2018 by CJP 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abat Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Great. I’ll follow your build closely as it will help and inspire me to finish off mine. Great camouflage scheme on those late RAN Skyhawks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 Thanks abat - I have not considered a WIP as I was not even sure if I would be able to get the Avionix cockpit and Aires wheel bay set fitted successfully to my trashed Skyhawk - I've got the nosewheel bay to a stage where it looks like it is going to fit and then I will try to slot the cockpit on top of it so the whole build is dependant on making those things work - then we will see. hope you do get the urge to finish the TA4G as your other RAN models had a good reception on BM CJP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAVY870 Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Our Scooters internals were the same as their USN sisters. I use Humbrol 140 dark gull grey (the FSN number escapes me the moment) The only major difference between the aircraft was the colour of the linings on the side walls Light grey in some and a apple green similar to that found in the Wessex cockpit, this was in 878 881 and possibly 876. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted October 10, 2017 Author Share Posted October 10, 2017 5 hours ago, NAVY870 said: Our Scooters internals were the same as their USN sisters. I use Humbrol 140 dark gull grey (the FSN number escapes me the moment) The only major difference between the aircraft was the colour of the linings on the side walls Light grey in some and a apple green similar to that found in the Wessex cockpit, this was in 878 881 and possibly 876. Cheers Steve - I appreciate your information above and the dark gull grey reference - Romeo Alpha Yankee and abat have also been most helpful - I really like the way information is shared on BM CJP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted October 23, 2017 Author Share Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) Currently trying to fit the Aires wheel bay set to my old 1/32 Hasegawa A4 Skyhawk - a dry fit shows a gap between the two wheel bay halves on the centreline - wondering if anyone knows if you should be able to see through from one wheel bay to the other or should it be blanked off with a plastic card strip on the centreline? CJP Edited April 17, 2018 by CJP 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 On 10/10/2017 at 7:14 AM, NAVY870 said: Our Scooters internals were the same as their USN sisters. I use Humbrol 140 dark gull grey (the FSN number escapes me the moment) The only major difference between the aircraft was the colour of the linings on the side walls Light grey in some and a apple green similar to that found in the Wessex cockpit, this was in 878 881 and possibly 876. FS for dark gull grey is 36231, Humbrol 140 is a very good match and fortunately many other paint ranges include this colour 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAVY870 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 1 hour ago, CJP said: Currently trying to fit the Aires wheel bay set to my old 1/32 Hasegawa A4 Skyhawk - a dry fit shows a gap between the two wheel bay halves on the centreline - wondering if anyone knows if you should be able to see through from one wheel bay to the other or should it be blanked off with a plastic card strip on the centreline? CJP Aires also give you the well named forward hell hole (forward engine access compartment) as part of the gear wells. There's two doors that hing on the centre line and swing down for access. It reality its a wide open space but Aires have molded the "movie can" ammo tanks in place, which is properly poor form unless the aircraft was loaded for bear and about to go out to play. You can see the access panels on 76 below, just as easy to close them up. As an added bonus there appears to be a damn fine example of English aeronautical engineering keeping 76 company 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted October 23, 2017 Author Share Posted October 23, 2017 Thanks for that information NAVY870 - I have found it very hard to find photos of those panels and interior & only found one prior to this photo - pity Aires did not include them in their Gun & Wheel bay kit - I'm inclined to close up the bay like you said unless I suddenly get inspired one day - long term project anyway - lots of interesting detail to absorb in your photo of Skyhawk 876 & of course the Sea Venom lurking in the background - I'm toying with the idea of eventually finishing it in an early scheme with red/white checks on the rudder and straight refuelling probe - can you advise how long they had the straight probe before it changed to the cranked one? CJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAVY870 Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 20 hours ago, CJP said: can you advise how long they had the straight probe before it changed to the cranked one? CJP Very early 70's I would think, the chequed rudder was the last scheme they wore with straight probes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted October 24, 2017 Author Share Posted October 24, 2017 16 minutes ago, NAVY870 said: Very early 70's I would think, the chequed rudder was the last scheme they wore with straight probes. Ok thanks Steve - cant say I've seen a model A4G in that scheme yet so might be something different CJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Moved to WIP @CJP's request. Now the pressure's on! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 (edited) On 29/10/2017 at 1:03 AM, Mike said: Moved to WIP @CJP's request. Now the pressure's on! Thanks for that Mike - I think that I have got the Skyhawk to the point where it might be a goer so have taken a plunge to do a WIP all going well Fitting of the Aires nose wheel bay and Avionix cockpit involved removing a lot of the internal locating points for the cockpit and wheel bay - I also cut out a large rectangular section from underneath the fuselage centre section for access and split the forward fuselage to help get enough room to manipulate the parts in to place - At this point having got the nose wheel bay and cockpit looking like they would squeeze into the Hasegawa A4 I decided to try removing the paintwork using over cleaner for the first time - I was a bit apprehensive but it worked perfectly and I soon had a gleaming plastic pile of parts. Aires nose wheel bay fitted and glued into one fuselage side - the sides do fit when squeezed together Dry fit of cockpit tub below The bottom slab of the Avionix cockpit tub moulding had to be cut off and filed to fit it on top of the Aires nose wheel bay casting (done under running water to avoid resin dust) - modified tub below Sketch showing dimensions I ended up with to get the cockpit tub to fit Lots more carving and filing to get the Aires wheel bays to fit the Hasegawa wing - dry fit test below and looks like they will squeeze in with a bit more fettling - the white plastic strips were added following filing the edges straight and where I had cut incorrectly. I feel at this point it's time for me to review progress so far and plan what to do next CJP Edited April 17, 2018 by CJP postimage.cc 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Looking very nice indeed thus far nice subject n markings rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 Does anyone have information on the canopy opening mechanism/hinge on the A4 Skyhawk ? - I've been searching online & in books I have but have not been able to come up with any clear photos or drawings of that area of the rear of the cockpit showing the linkage/mechanism. CJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 I finally managed to find a couple photos of the interior of the rear of the Skyhawk canopy on A4 Walk Around on the following IPMS Nederland website - https://www.ipms.nl/walkarounds/walkaround-vliegtuigen-jets/561-walkaround-a4-skyhawk.html CJP 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairystick Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 On 10/23/2017 at 3:56 AM, CJP said: I'm toying with the idea of eventually finishing it in an early scheme with red/white checks on the rudder and straight refuelling probe - can you advise how long they had the straight probe before it changed to the cranked one? Didn't the cranked probe appear in '74? Seem to recall it being mentioned recently, due to fuel going down the intakes with the straight probes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted November 12, 2017 Author Share Posted November 12, 2017 yeah i've read something somewhere stating the fuel/intake injestion was the reason for the cranked probe - your date in early 70's sounds ok to me CJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAVY870 Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 On 11/5/2017 at 9:50 PM, CJP said: Does anyone have information on the canopy opening mechanism/hinge on the A4 Skyhawk ? - I've been searching online & in books I have but have not been able to come up with any clear photos or drawings of that area of the rear of the cockpit showing the linkage/mechanism. CJP Under the dreaded red arrow The refueling probe was changed on the A-4F and its variants and retrofitted to the A-4E. It was discovered on breakaway of the probe from the basket a small amount of fuel could be ingested down the starboard intake. The J-52 would take great offence to such goings on and would compressor stall with the resulting shock wave causing havoc to the intake ducting and front of the engine with a potential loss of aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 Thanks again Steve for helping with information on the RAN A4G - also for another close up photo with plenty subtle detail to absorb - hopefully will get back to my A4G in a week or so CJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted November 18, 2017 Author Share Posted November 18, 2017 On 13/11/2017 at 4:02 PM, NAVY870 said: Under the dreaded red arrow The refueling probe was changed on the A-4F and its variants and retrofitted to the A-4E. It was discovered on breakaway of the probe from the basket a small amount of fuel could be ingested down the starboard intake. The J-52 would take great offence to such goings on and would compressor stall with the resulting shock wave causing havoc to the intake ducting and front of the engine with a potential loss of aircraft. Any clear photos or drawings out there showing the rear of the opening canopy hinges and how they attach to the rear cockpit bulkhead - its a pretty dark area in photos I have seen so I haven't been able to make out the hinge details - from what I can make out there is also quite a large nitrogen charged cylinder and ram behind the seat area that attaches to the rear of the canopy for opening - interesting to see the contrast in the above photo between the clean airframe and the grimy underwing fuel tank CJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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