Colin W Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Well time suddenly flies and Enzo has opened the 2021 GB book already. I'm keen on this GB as it involves my NZ theme. I have had the A-4K in my stash since I lived in the Land or the Long White Cloud, 20 years ago. I'll build it now in memory of Andy as it was his Avatar here on BM. The kit is unopened and untouched but there is no sign of the set of Geko Graphics decals I got at the same time. On a positive note I have 2 resin seats in the box. I'm not sure which is correct so that will be the first job when we start. Colin 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Very nice choice Colin... I wish I had kept mine as a K. I built it as an E and traded the associated parts for decals. I regret the decision now but it is what it is. I will attempt to convert an E/F into a K in @modelling minion’s Scooter build later in the spring. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 OMG!!!!! do you know how rare that wee beast is......you could almost get a small fortune for it on evilBay!!! That model was meant to cone with an additional extra "AM" parts, white metal antennas? Are you about to photograph them, am interested to see what they look like, and are they just replacements for plastic bits or unique bits for the "K". 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 Hi Rich, When these were released everyone in Auckland IPMS had one so we thought they were common. I only heard they were rare a little while ago. After 19 years in my stash and circumnavigating the world a few times its a shame to let someone else have the fun of building it. I didnt realise there was any white metal in the kit until your comment above so I had a look and yes there are 5 pewter parts. One is a small antenae for the spine, 2 are the wing tip sensors and another 2 are the fin top blades. All are used in the post Kahu version. There is no PE. Heres a picture of the clear sprue and the metal parts. I think the metal parts are something you should be able to build or modify from the parts bin. Having never built another A-4 in 50 years of modelling I dont know if there is anything unusual on the clear sprue?? Colin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 thanks for that, awesome!!! seeing I'm building a the original version I won't need to worry about them. I could easily see this model going for over $100USD on evilBay, and probably more, especially seeing some of the comments from people looking for this model in other forums. Though I suspect most don't realize you can use the almost as rare e/F versions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieNZ Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 The seat you want is the Escapac seat on the left. The unpainted resin one is a Martin Baker seat that would never have fitted in the cockpit of an A-4K. Although this comes with white metal parts for the exterior of the aircraft in post kahu configuration, it doesn't have any cockpit parts needed for the conversion. There is no HUD and the IP is just the standard kit A-4E panel, rather than the upgraded post kahu one with MFDs. You can build it out of the box accurately using the early SEA scheme decals included. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 Well after a long battle with demons I have finally finished the Dassault SMB5 Mystere for the Interceptors GB and made a start on this over the weekend. I have never had a 'shelf of doom' so prefer to hammer through until they are done. Or chucked in the bin if its a Special Hobby RF4 Helicopter). This A4 will be in the middle scheme used by the RNZAF when I emigrated to the Islands back in 1996, It will be a Kahu bird with the green green grey camo. So far I have painted the interiors of the intakes and behind the splitter plates in the camo colours and fitted them. Actually this is a superb kit as the intakes clipped into place and just needed a touch of glue to hold them in. The cockpit and engie exhaust have been done and fitted. On 1/30/2021 at 10:40 AM, CharlieNZ said: The seat you want is the Escapac seat on the left. I fully agree, Unfortunately the seat is about 2mm wider than the tub so Ill have to use the kit seat. Mind you the size of the canopy glazing is small enough to prevent anyone even seeing the seat! I'll mod the panel and add a HUD as the build progresses Colin 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 Had a bit of time this week so joined the fuselage and next I knew the whole thing was done. Some parts clicked together beautifully but some filler was needed around the rear fuselage and on the spine. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 Thats gone together very nicely, and very quickly Colin. great work.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted February 6, 2021 Share Posted February 6, 2021 Nice one Colin,.... a nice way to remember Andy and I`ll be following this one as I still have my kit in the stash and as it is outside my comfort zone I`ll need all the help I can! Looking great so far,.... are you definitely going for the original colour scheme? I fancy the one on the box lid myself,.... since I first saw this scheme I`ve wanted to model it. I`d like to build an Andover in this scheme too! Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidrian Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 Thanks for posting this - it's rekinded an old enthusiasm I loved family trips though the Ohakea area inthe mid seventies- 75 Squadron seemed to do a lot of flying with such a small number of machines as there always seemed to be something in the air, or taxying. I remember getting a hell of a surpise in the late seventies or early eighties somewhere near Mangaweka, when a pair of Skyhawks came around a bluff on the river so low and so fast that there was no real warning of their arrival. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 nice progress! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 I've done quite a bit of the final scheme for the Skyhawk and started the decals. The scheme was quite difficult to mask as there is almost no tonal variation between the colours and even in good light its quite hard to see the pattern. Quite a good comouflage really! Finishing the decals now then undercarriage to add. I'll save the refuelling probe until last! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Very nice work Colin. The Euro one scheme is quite tricky to apply as the colours are quite difficult to tell apart but you have done a great job on yours. I see you have started to get a few decals on too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 After quite a bit of final assembly I present the A-4K Skyhawk, Number 2 squadron RNZAF at Ohakia in 1998. This was really from the box as the resin seat I had was too big to fit. Only the nose weight and seat belts were added to the kit. The Colour scheme is 2 tone green and dark grey using Mr Colour 301, 303 and 309. The scheme was quite difficult to mask as there is almost no tonal variation between the colours and even in good light its quite hard to see the pattern. Quite a good camouflage really! Masking was done almost completely with rubber glue. Undercarriage is USN Mr Colour white 316. Final assembly did present a few problems with conflict between the wing tanks and the undercarriage doors. On the plus side the aerials were all a positive fit and the decals went on very well despite their 20+ years age. Finally Im very pleased with this as a very enjoyable kit to build. Hope you enjoyed this build as much as I did. I'm off to Egypt next in the Africa Group Build. Cheers Colin 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I have certainly enjoyed your build Colin, and really like the end result. An excellent result on a fantastic scheme. Very well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidrian Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 They always looked a little more sinister in the Euro1 style paint than they did in the orginal SEA colours; nicely done, that chap 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Excellent build of your Kahu sir. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulaero Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Very Nice, I have one of theses boxings but hope to finish it as the one in the entrance to the Christchurch Air museum which is in the SEA colours. Visited with my best mate , way back in 2007 !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Very nice indeed,... I do like that camo and you`ve done a good job replicating it, Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Excellent result Colin can I ask a quick favour please? Could you measure the length and diameter of the wingtip RWRs please - I think the ones I’ve printed are too big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 very nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 17 hours ago, zebra said: Excellent result Colin can I ask a quick favour please? Could you measure the length and diameter of the wingtip RWRs please - I think the ones I’ve printed are too big. Hi These are pretty small Length 7.2mm width of body 1.75mm diameter of head 2.1mm head length 2.5mm depth taper from 2.5mm to zero down the 4.7mm length Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 4 hours ago, Colin W said: Hi These are pretty small Length 7.2mm width of body 1.75mm diameter of head 2.1mm head length 2.5mm depth taper from 2.5mm to zero down the 4.7mm length Colin Thanks Colin, very helpful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Sweet looking Hawk Colin. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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