U.S Navy
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A-4 models in 1/72 scale: kit review & modelling report
The Skyhawk was designed by Ed Heinemann from Douglas as a low cost small jet attack fighter to be operated from US Navy carriers. The A-4 Skyhawk had various modifications during its operational career and depending on the period and specific aircraft.
The A-4M that appeared 1970 has some mods with older Skyhawk versions:
- larger stabilizer with squared
off tip
- larger bubble canopy
- parachute housing at the tail
- DECM antenna on top of tail
- small fairings and bumps at nose,
tail etc.
- new 1G3 seat (replacing the ESCAPAC
seat) and a simple HUD (head up display)
- several internal changes (wing,
engine, avionics etc).
Several A-4 kits will be made. The best way is to look at reference books and choose a specific type and model to make.
Some additionals are used such as Microscale decal set no.72-427 to get a choice of colours and lettering and smaller stencilling for the kits in 1/72 scale.
Fujimi
Hasegawa
Matchbox
Italeri A-4M box
The kit is a nice compromise at low cost and can be made into a nice kit for the collection.
The kit is simple with about 35 parts,
with just the basic usual parts but no extras. It will benefit from replacing
the seat with a new (resin?) one and improving some details in cockpit
(which is very small) and areas such as the undercarriage
The Italeri
kit
of the A-4M has most of the characteristics listed above incorporated. Two decal versions are
provided in the kit for US machines:
1/ black tailed VMA-331 A-4M in white/gull
grey schema and
2/ overall grey VMA-214 machine.
Italeri model being "in progress..." : painted in the standard (older) USN scheme of FS36440 Gull grey and lower FS36875 white . Enamels were used.
Scheme made: A-4M VMA 223 with yellow markings: reference Osprey book "Navy Attack" on page 62
The Italeri star-and-bars were
in my opinion too large, the Modeldecal ones OK but to dark in
blue. 
ITALERI
KIT of A-4M VMA 223 
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References:
- - A-4 Skyhawk,
In detail & scale, Kinzey, No. 32
- Navy Attack, Osprey series , Francillon, 1990
- USN Carrier Air Units, Squadron, Vol.3, Kasulka
- World Air Power Journal, Vol. 10
- IPMS NL A-4 walk arounds by my modelling friend Cees
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Created May 19, 2002;
updated March 2021