A-4F Sky Hawk

1/48 scale version of the legendary A-4 Sky Hawk, in its F variant, with registration NP 312, VA-212 “Rampant Raiders” battalion, on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock. The kit is from Hobby Boss and does not use aftermarket accessories.

Images of the finished model

About this model

This model was a birthday gift from a great friend, a glider pilot and a huge enthusiast of both static and RC aeromodelling. It is a legendary World War II aircraft, whose role was decisive in battles such as the Battle of Britain in 1940. Almost 6,500 units were manufactured, so it is considered the most common variant, followed by the Mk IX variant.

The Spitfire was the first airplane I built in 1/32 scale, and after finishing it I decided to use this scale for all the other single-engine propeller airplanes I built, as it seemed ideal for the details of relatively small aircraft.

After finishing this model, I decided to design and build some additional accessories for the scene, so I fabricated several of the parts that are available in the 3D printing section of the site.

• A table
• A workbench
• A bucket
• Some tools
• Two staircases, one of the simple type (straight ladder), and another in the shape of an A (step ladder).
• Some oil drums

The kit

Overall, this is an excellent kit. The fit was very good, and the level of detail was more than sufficient. I used the photo-etch parts provided with the kit (belts, etc.), so there was no need to print additional parts or resort to aftermarket accessories. In the months and years after finishing this kit, I increased my skill in designing parts for 3D printing, so I could certainly have implemented some additional things (for example, the barrels could be significantly improved). But the result is quite good, so I had very little to change.

• I had to hollow out the tips of the barrels with a 0.5mm drill bit.
• I had to make a bar to put on the pilot's door, for which I used stretched sprue, and then I simply flattened one of the ends and shaped it.

Build

Images of the cabin assembly

As is often the case, the assembly begins with the cockpit, and it was a truly enjoyable process. The level of detail is excellent, the provided decals fit perfectly, and overall I had no problems. I used Vallejo acrylics for everything (the background color is duck egg green), and then very diluted shades of brown and black to create a sort of wash to highlight the details.

Next, I paid special attention to assembling the engine. This kit allows you to display the complete engine, and it seemed like a good opportunity to showcase the Merlin engine. Again, the kit includes more than enough detail, and I only had to add a few tubes made with wire and stretched sprue.

Images of the engine assembly

Next, I paid special attention to assembling the engine. This kit allows you to display the complete engine, and it seemed like a good opportunity to showcase the Merlin engine. Again, the kit includes more than enough detail, and I only had to add a few tubes made with wire and stretched sprue. Around this time, I was fortunate enough to visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, USA, and I found a Merlin engine on display, which served very well to understand more details.

Conclusions