1/48 Hasegawa/Eduard A-4F Skyhawk

Gallery Article by Patrick Vossenberg on July 4 2019

United States of America Independence Day

 

      

This is the first Hasegawa A-4 in 1/48 from my stash that I have built - and I can only agree with the many reviews of this kit that I have read: what a wonderful kit! I got the Eduard reboxing, that includes some nice add-ons, but even the base kit is really good. In the cockpit, I used Eduard's resin/PE for seat and canopy details. I did not use the pre-painted IP or side consoles, as Hasegawa's molded detail is very well done: a careful paintjob, washing and drybrushing is all that is needed. Eduard's PE enhancements around the wheel wells were applied, as well as on the flaps and landing gear. Overall fit of the kit is pretty good, with basically only the intakes and spine requiring a bit of putty and sanding/rescribing to get everything to fit properly. The surface detail is wonderful throughout: nice and sharp variations of engraved and raised detail as appropriate - great!

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I finished my Scooter in markings from VA-212 Rampart Raiders, while deployed at USS Hancock in 1973, operating in South Vietnam. These markings come from a CAM decal sheet, with the anti-glare panel, walkways and arrestor hook markings being airbrushed on. As this was the Eduard reboxing, paint masks for wheels and clear parts were included in the box. Paints are enamels, built up in thin layers, using the airbrush to add colour variations in the final finishing and to give the aircraft its weary appearance, as pictures from that period typically show. Final weathering with panel line washes and oil washes. For the load-out I used Eduard resin LAU-10 rocket launchers, a Hasegawa TER, Verlinden resin Snakeyes and the kit's droptanks.

Enjoy the photos.

Patrick Vossenberg

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Photos and text © by Patrick Vossenberg