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Airfix 1/72 A-4B Skyhawk


Smudge

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I've had this kit hovering around the edge of the workbench for a little while, so this GB is a good reason to make a start. I've always been a fan of the 'Scooter' but this will be my first go at making a model of one. I'm looking at U.S. Navy and something colourful from the Xtradecals sheets.

 

My car boot bargain :)

 

2021-03-22_07-44-26

 

Looking forward to starting this.

 

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5 minutes ago, modelling minion said:

.........................will you be letting us in on which one you will be building?

 

Thank you.

 

To be honest, with so many choices on those two sheets, I can't make my mind up. I ended up buying both sheets for the same reason  :D

 

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26 minutes ago, Smudge said:

 

Thank you.

 

To be honest, with so many choices on those two sheets, I can't make my mind up. I ended up buying both sheets for the same reason  :D

 

 

20 minutes ago, modelling minion said:

Been there done that! A few times actually as I would rather get decal sheets while they are available.

Oh so thats how you're supposed to do it ? No wonder I keep having to scrounge for stuff years after its been out. 

Edited by Corsairfoxfouruncle
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Errrrr..............I may be guilty of having gotten a bit carried away. In my defense, I think I have a plan to do 'several' of these Airfix Skyhawks and have a little line up in the display case.

 

20210327_191650

 

So, I have made a start with sticking a few parts together.

 

20210327_191504

 

I removed the raised detail, and filled the access bay panel lines on the starboard nose, as pointed in another thread (sorry can't find it. I'll credit/edit later). Need to work out what other vents etc to add or delete.

 

2021-03-27_07-46-10

 

Here's a nice one......

 

20210327_191922

 

If I can find a suitable nose, this could be interesting....

 

20210327_192403

 

Next job, probably do some painting of smaller parts and the cockpit and intakes etc.

 

Cheers :)

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Good to see this one underway Smudge.

Looks like you might be spoiled for choice as far as markings go, not sure you can ever have too many though.😉

I like  both of the options you have shown, though you will either need to sacrifice an F-11 Tiger or do some scratch building for the one from VSF-1, but it would be very cool.

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Nice progress with this one smudge. The Xtradecals are very nice, I’ve got the first sheet and built one a couple of years ago. I plan to do another for this GB if I can get my current one moving on and I can find the decal sheet. I looked for it the other day and it’s disappeared from my decal box. 🤔

 

Cheers Allan

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19 hours ago, modelling minion said:

Good to see this one underway Smudge.

Looks like you might be spoiled for choice as far as markings go, not sure you can ever have too many though.😉

I like  both of the options you have shown, though you will either need to sacrifice an F-11 Tiger or do some scratch building for the one from VSF-1, but it would be very cool.

I don’t think that extended nose is from an F11F; the range-only radar from an F11F was reportedly used, but not any F11F structure.

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1 hour ago, Tailspin Turtle said:

I don’t think that extended nose is from an F11F; the range-only radar from an F11F was reportedly used, but not any F11F structure.

You are quite right of course, the nose on the A-4 in question bears no resemblance the nose of an F-11F and must be something that was built specifically.

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2 hours ago, Tailspin Turtle said:

I don’t think that extended nose is from an F11

 

56 minutes ago, modelling minion said:

You are quite right of course, the nose on the A-4 in question bears no resemblance the nose of an F-11F and must be something that was built specifically.

 

I was thinking that myself. I had a bit of a Google and found this. Quite an interesting story. 

 

http://tapatalk.com/groups/warships1discussionboards/lightweight-radar-for-the-a-4-skyhawk-c-1965-t24168-s20.html

 

http://combatace.com/forums/topic/85176-rudolph-the-red-nosed-skyhawk-an-a-4b-with-an-air-to-air-radar-in-1966/

 

Cheers Guys.

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I can't seem to find the link which somebody kindly provided to the 'Tailhook Topics' which identified the various little mods and additions one could make to improve the Airfix A-4B.

 

I have resorted to searching it out for myself, and will just pop a link in here for my own reference. Thanks and apologies to the original GB'er.

 

http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-airfix-172-4b4p-modeling-notes.html 

 

and this one about the underside fuel vents and lights etc.

 

http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-dirty-underside-of-a4d.html

Edited by Smudge
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Most of these schemes are winners!

Try throwing a dart?

 

JR

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On 3/27/2021 at 9:49 PM, Smudge said:

I removed the raised detail, and filled the access bay panel lines on the starboard nose, as pointed in another thread (sorry can't find it. I'll credit/edit later). Need to work out what other vents etc to add or delete.

 

2021-03-27_07-46-10

 

Great work on making some amendments to the fuselage - I've done the same in my build following the very good advice of @jean

Nice work so far Smudge - will be following your build with interest :thumbsup:

Kris

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