alt-92 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Stash clearance! This one is the original 1979 box of the ESCI A-4M Skyhawk. It's been sitting in the cupboard now since at least the mid-1980s so high time it gets built! In the box: Nice, silver coloured plastic with raised details but not half bad actually - I think there's plenty in there that is perfectly usable. Which probably doesn't quite go for the decals, being pretty antique now.. Seems I did make a start back in the dark ages, as there is a completed cockpit assembly. Waste not, want not Thought about using an aftermarket seat, but that would mean very likely either destroying the already built bits, or hacking that seat - neither option looks wise. So, let's keep it to the aftermarket decals then. Colour callouts seem to vary a bit. The sheet has different IDs than the TOMs colour set sold in Brazil, or the callout I found elsewhere: But even then, looks like at least some can be matched by Voodoo grey (which I have) and Ocean grey. Let's find out if we can get to this.. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Another kit which I haven't built of the Skyhawk, though I have seen plenty for sale over the years I have never bought one for some reason. After sitting in your stash for so long she really does deserve to be built doesn't she, and in what is proving to be a popular scheme too. Depending on how accurate an AF-1 you want (this is your model and I certainly won't judge you) there are a few things you need to do turn it from an M/N into a KU which is what it was originally. Most of it revolves around removing sensors and panel lines on the nose and slightly re-shaping the very top of the tail, none of it too drastic. Really looking forward to this as I need to know if I have been wrong to walk past these over the years. Craig. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 Thanks It might be relatively straightforward, actually. I'll need to add the ILS antennas on the tail anyway. Some more pics to convince you (or not) to pick one up: Cockpit/nose area Tail section Upper wing details (raised & recessed) Bottom wing details Slats & gear door details Gear, tanks & pylons 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 5 minutes ago, alt-92 said: Some more pics to convince you (or not) to pick one up: Well from those pictures I am convinced to not pass one by next time I see one. Other than removing the sensor under the nose the nose looks pretty good for a KU/AF-1 as it is already missing the panel lines I have had to fill on my Hasegawa M. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Just found a walkaround that you might find useful. https://www.carrierbuilders.net/articles/20050627_Brazil_Skyhawk/20050627_Brazil_Skyhawk.htm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 I just saw those in the other thread, thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 Hi. this one looks rather tasty. I never understood why ESCI did the fuselage with recessed lines and the wings with raised ones. They did exactly the same on their 1/72 A-4E, which I bought when it was still a new tool. The raised panel lines are very fine, but the logic, or lack thereof, escapes me... Enjoy! JR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basket Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Hi ! My second " madeleine de Proust " of this GB !!! Taking a seat for the next steps . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Nice project. The colours are a bit of a dilemma - I built an AF-1A (aka TA-4KU) last year - can't remember what colours I used except the darkest grey was Ocean Grey and I thought it was a bit dark. Then again, it looks about right for the one in the photo you shared. And in some photos the greys look a bit blue. So go for the colours that look right to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted May 18, 2021 Author Share Posted May 18, 2021 Assembly has (finally) commenced. Lots of dry-fitting, fettling, filling and sanding, especially on the nose section and the root leading edges. I had to take about half a millimeter off of the inside of the upper winghalves to get a good fit without getting anhedral. No wheels added yet, so she's slightly more nose-up than the end result will be. The undernose sensor bits were chopped off, filled and sanded flush. To do: strake antenna under the nose, and the dorsal antenna needs a big fat one, and the top of the tail. Centerline pylon is moulded with a 6x MER in one, so that was cut off and filed to leave only the brackets. Intake insides sprayed white, then blocked off with sponge - and I had a go at getting a stained exhaust colour I like. Drop tanks sanded and a smidgen of filler, one more go with the plastic putty to do.. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basket Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Hi ! You are beautifully upgrading the standards of this vintage kit . Your job is remarkable. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Great to see this one moving forward. You really are doing a great job on this classic kit as it certainly looks like it has gone together without any issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted June 1, 2021 Author Share Posted June 1, 2021 While the hunt for a middle-tone grey continues, here some preparation work for the greys. Hataka's Atlantic Grey seems to do the trick quite well - some lighter grey mixed for contrasts. Slats that extend! At least, they did without paint, depends on how that holds up. As far as I could find out, the antennas on the empennage would work out to 12.8mm by 3.5mm. Plasticard shaped to size & rounded off. All the small bits are done, now trying to pin down the 'cloud gray' a bit more. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 That looks really smart, I think the grey you have chosen is spot on and based on that I have no doubt you will find a suitable one for the other shade. I like idea of the slats being able to move, I think yours will be the only one in the gallery with that feature! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted June 15, 2021 Author Share Posted June 15, 2021 On 6/1/2021 at 11:05 PM, modelling minion said: That looks really smart, I think the grey you have chosen is spot on and based on that I have no doubt you will find a suitable one for the other shade. I like idea of the slats being able to move, I think yours will be the only one in the gallery with that feature! Cutting it a bit close, but we're getting there Bits of Ocean gray and thin overcoat with Hataka Atlantic grey: Masking the middle-tone is a bit harder but I've found Mr.Colour Barley Grey to be a nice tone. As that is not the same acrylic as Hataka, it needs to be done last so masking, masking and more masking. Droptanks and pylons ready for assembly: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 I really hope that you are able to complete this on time as you have shown what a great model can be made from this old kit. Your painting looks really good with a nice soft edge to the different colours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 Almost there. A few things to do after the decals are on, doors and IFR probe - and re-attach the chute housing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Really good work on the paint, it looks lovely and smooth. Nice and shiny gloss coat too that should really help with the decals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 ooh.. there's plenty of rough patches around I may have fudged the black nose a bit (too far back, should be relatively small) , so I'll deal with that later. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted June 20, 2021 Author Share Posted June 20, 2021 Calling this one done for the GB. Some minor improvements to be added: - figure out some catapult hooks for inside the LG bays - modify one of the RWR antennas in the kit to go on the tail (spotted that way too late - doh) - re-attach the chute holder properly. - add some brass gun barrels. Kit only has 30mm Defa's from the IAF scheme. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 Very nice job on this one, you have shown us exactly what id possible with these older kits which are often overlooked. You have ended up with a fantastic model in a great colour scheme. Thanks for having taken part in the GB and for producing such a great model from this classic kit. Very well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted July 16, 2021 Share Posted July 16, 2021 Very nice build of such an old model! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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