A flock of Skyhawks

[Anatol Pigwa]

I noticed that I have Skyhawks from Italeri, Revell and Fujimiin my stash (no Airfix though). Wouldn't it be fun to compare hw they build against each other? Sure it would

Therefore welcom to my Skyhawk build-off!

 

Now I intended to build them all concurrently, but due to commitmentsto other GBs, life and and wayto manystarted models on my desk,I'llworkon them one plane at a time. (more or less ;)) 

 

I intend to sart over the weekend, but am eager to introduce the contenders already Apologiesfor the quality of the photos - my mobile is not a night shooter by any means)

 

The contenders:

 

 

 

 

Initial remarks:

 

Contender #1 - Italeri

 

 

The Italeri kit appearsto be the simplest and oldest of the three. Two grey spruces, one clear. While the kit claims to be a Skyhawk A-4 E/F, Is say that realistically only an upgraded E, or a  F Version can be build:

- The hump is fixed (E were reffited with the hump and came initially without one)

 - There are wingtop spoilers  on the wings, which were introduced with the A-4F (those can be sanded off I suppose)

 

You could build an early A-4K though, as this was essentially A-4Fs and there was supposedly a release of this kit with RNZAF dcals, but sadlytheywere not included in my kit. 

 

There are two nice touches though:

- The kit comes with a straight and a bend refuelling probe (The bend one in my kit has already been canibalized for my "Lady Jessie")

- THere are three different Tail tips (one for the early E version, one for theF version and a third one which looks either like the AF-1 or an Israeli A-4H/A-4N tail tip.

 

Other than that there are not many modifications you can make OOB to the build(apart from a closed gear bay)

 

- Tha cabin has to be build closed

- There are not wing slats of flaps which can be shown open

- The choice of loadouts is... strange.You have one 3000gal centerline fuel tank,two inboardpylons with LAU 3 launchers (the launchers are moulded to the pylons) and tzwo empty outboard pylons. Now I have not found any accounts or imaginery suggesting the Lau 3 launchers  as a common loadout Particularly for Navy aircraft. (Even thoughthe launchers were initally developed by the Navy!) 

 

The decals (which I don't intend to use for this project) are OK. Also the kit has raised panel lines.

 

 

Contender #2 - Revell

 

 

This appears to be the same kit @stevej60 is building here

 

three grey spruces, one clear.

 

On paper the kit looks more promising than the Italeri proposal sporting  engraved panel lines, way more loadou options, including additional fuel tanks, Shrikes Bullpup missiles and dumb bombs and also the abilit to build the plane without the hump, as the necessary part (B-16) is there,also you can build the kit with open airbrakes, something not possivle with the Italeri offering..

 

However there are some issues: First there is no bend refueling probe, even if the decal  variants provided are onlz for planes with bend probes. Secondly The Shrikes and Bullpups look slighlty off. Neverthelessit might be an interesting build particularlyIf I can peruse some of the decals to dispaly an early "E" model. Unfortunately the decals included in the kit look very fragile and I don't kno If I will be able to use them.

 

Finally

 

Contender #3 Fujimi

 

 

Five grex spruces, one clear

 

The kit is bought second hand which explains the two decal sheets (plus the Italeri A-4M sheet) and the missing MERs, TERs and Zuni rockets.

 

This kit portrays the A-4M version of the Skyhawk It gives the Option of an open or /closed cabin (there are separate pieces on the spruce for that!), Open airbrakes, Open flaps, extended slats and a fully configurable armament load (no load pre-attached to any of the pylons), The escape seat is fairly detailed (not resing quality, but still great considering the age of the kit) you get a proper intake as well. Certainly the most complex kit of the build. The only kit superior to this one is last years Hobby 2000 rebox of this kit, which includes also the OA-4 fusalge and cockpit aswell as paint masks (the Hobby 200 details are poorer though).

 

 

 

       

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[modelling minion]

Now this will be a very interesting project and a great way to compare the three kits and find out the good parts and bad of each offering.

It sounds like you have already done a fair amount of research on what can be done from each boxing, I wonder if the N type fin tip in the Italeri box is actually meant to represent the fin tip of a RNZAF K as you say that the kit may have been released with decals for that version at one time.

 

I am very interested to see how you get on with these, and don't worry about not starting straight away as I haven't started mine yet and its my GB!

[Anatol Pigwa]

Now that info about the fin tip makes sense! Now I wonder if I should jump the KIWI scooter bandwagon!

   

[modelling minion]

6 hours ago, Anatol Pigwa said:

Now that info about the fin tip makes sense! Now I wonder if I should jump the KIWI scooter bandwagon!

   

Always room for more Kiwi scooters, a bit of colour among the grey and white.

[Anatol Pigwa]

WellI I commenced the Italeri kit. I build this kit earlier in it's Revell outing (twice) so few surprises on this one I hope. Due to the simplicity of the kit (I estimate less than 10 hours worktime forthe build - a great kit for a BB if you ask me.) I intend to focus on stuff like blackbasing ans washes during this build. 

 

 

As you can see I removed the LAU-3 form from the inner pylon. The weaponof choice for this one will be the AGM-62 Walleye (from thetestors/Italeri Weapons kit) the VA-212 pioneered its use in Vietnam so it is onlz proper the honour them this way.

 

See this (slightly biased) documentaryabout hte Walleye:

 

The pictures and movies I found show the 1967 cruise, where the Walleye was introduced, when the VA-flewthe A-4E Skyhawk (without the hump) and had a slightly different badge (colour-inverted) I am just assuming though, they also used the Walleye on the 1969 cruise when they had the A-4F in the markings supplied by Italeri.

 

I would also like to hang some Shrikes on the outer pylons does that make any sense?

 

Anyway back to the build:

 

 

There is actually a PE set for this one! Due to the size of the cockpit and the fact that the canopy is not really meant to be posed open I would dissuade anyone from buying it though, unless you - like me - want to practice your PE placing skillz.

 

 

THe result after day one.

 

Unfortunately I lost two of the four ECM antennas to the carpet monster (Why do they never put any spare ones in the kit?) I try to skrech replacements from the kitparts meant for the A-4M?   

[modelling minion]

Well that didn't take you very long did it!

Certainly looks like a Skyhawk to me.

Whilst I agree that the Walleye is a good choice of weapon for the 1969 cruise I am unsure as to whether they would be carried at the same time as Shrikes, I will see if I can find any pictures.

[Anatol Pigwa]

Progress has been made, and now the airframe is basically ready, with only the gear doors still outstanding.

 

No big surprises yet, apart from me not looking at the instructions and therefore switching the horizontal rudders. I pre-painted them on the spruce, so it was easier to sand them into submission then repaint them again.

 

 

 

 

 

Next step: sealing and decaling. 

 

[modelling minion]

You are really moving fast with this build, will be in the gallery before too long!

[Anatol Pigwa]

The kit is fairly straightforward - a perfect BB kit as I mentioned above, therefore I am confident that I'll finish it by the end of the weekend at a leisure pace.

 

[Anatol Pigwa]

The decal are placed. I have to say this particular boxing disappoints sightly when it comes to decaling.

 

I am showing in the photos the Revell boxed "Lady Jessie" for compharasion. Plasticwise it is exactly the same kit, but as you can see Revell added more stencils.

 

Generally I am fine with a sparse decal sheet and this would not be an issue, However the placement instructions are very crude. You get two side views for basic stencils, which partially differ in scale from what is on the decal sheet and two b&w pictures of a build aircraft - with different markings than those in the box. Also there are is a major mistake with the crest placement in the pictures. The lion should be looking forward (from left to right or back to front of the aircraft) not back.

 

By preliminary verdict before placing the bits bobs and bombs on the belly of the aircraft:

 

Great simple kit which builds into a nice humpback Skyhawk. You may want to remove the RWR? antennas by the engine exhaust as I believe they are particular to the A-4M version. Also the single Lau on the inboard pylon is a fairly unvommon loadout which I suggest replacing.

 

Save yourself the money for the Eduard PE set and buy instead some nice AM decals. The ones in the box do their job, but seem to be somewhat lacking.

 

Or get (second hand) the Revell boxing of this kit with the Lady Jessie/Marines decals which are somewhat more complete.

Decals are setting, before the final finishing touches.

 

While not apparent at first glance the missing "No step" stencils make the wings look bare.

 

Lady Jessie and the VA-212 machine.

In this view the differences in detailing of the decals is an even more pronounced, particularly since Revell gives us some stencils for the pylons/ undercarriage, which are omitted from the Italeri boxing.

 

Btw.: The cut of LAUs made it to the Lady Jessie kit (along with the bend air refuelling probe).

 

This is what you get from Italeri for decal placement instructions.

 

Ok I lied. There is also the back of the box which shows the second decal option, where you get at least to see the belly of the aircraft:

 

[modelling minion]

You may not have a full set of stencils but she does look very smart in the decals provided, quite a colourful scheme.

[Anatol Pigwa]

The first Skyhawk is finished (well kind of - the photos showed mercilessly all defficiencies of the project):

 

 

I decided to take some Zunis for the ride besides the Walleye. Probably a load mix that makes little sense, but both were widely used in during the Vietnam war on Skyhawks, therefore quite fitting for this aircraft. 

 

And I also finished his little friend:

 

 

Kind of ironic: a Skzhawk and Super Etendard finished during a GB on Britmodeller and neither of them has argentine markings!. 

 

[modelling minion]

Nice work on your first Skyhawk, make sure that you get some pictures of her in the gallery.

I like your Sue too, very smart in the anniversary markings.

[Andwil]

Interesting comparison, I hadn’t realised the Super Etendard was smaller than the Skyhawk.

 

AW

[Anatol Pigwa]

The picture might be slightly misleading

 

the SuE is slightly longer and wider, not as high though as a Skyhawk. But the difference is surprisingly small.

 

 

 

 

 

[basket]

Hi !

Taking a seat for your 3 builds .