1/48 Hobbycraft Israeli A4h 'Ayit'

by Robert T. Rio

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Hello once again from the Philippines! I have just finished this diorama trying to capture the IAF's struggle during their little wars. This diorama is dedicated to the men and women of the IAF who sacrificed above and beyond to preserve their national entity. My diorama shows a late model A4h code-named 'Ayit' by the IAF. My model belongs to the Valley Squadron showing pilot scrambling to the cockpit as ground crews hurriedly prepare the aircraft for takeoff, I gave the Diorama the title 'Almost Ready to Roll'. 

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I first built this model about two years ago and did not finish it well, it was a total flop. Instead of donating it to the ever receiving trash can, I rebuilt it this time with much determination. First I stripped the old paint job with decals and all using paint thinner (what a mess).  All the bombs, drop tanks, cockpit, and windscreen had to come off, I had to scratch build about 40 percent of the model from the cockpit to the landing gears to the flaps and air brakes as the hobby craft kit did not come with these details.

I first built this model about two years ago and did not finish it well, it was a total flop. Instead of donating it to the ever receiving trash can, I rebuilt it this time with much determination. First I stripped the old paint job with decals and all using paint thinner (what a mess). All the bombs, drop tanks, cockpit, and windscreen had to come off, I had to scratch build about 40 percent of the model from the cockpit to the landing gears to the flaps and air brakes as the hobby craft kit did not come with these details.

I had to cut-out the ailerons, elevators and the air brakes using a hot knife which did not do a perfectly accurate job, I had to do some filling and sanding after the cutting job was finished this proved to be a real pain but the results were satisfactory.

The final painting on the model was done with the hand brush as the air brush finish did not quite come out as it should have. All in all I enjoyed this build not for the fun but for the challenge as the once junked model came out the pride of my display case. 

Happy modelling ARC'ers 

Robert

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Photos and text © by Robert T. Rio