1/48 Hasegawa A-4N

Gallery Article by Dionysis Gardelis on Dec 21 2009

 

I always wanted to build an abandoned A-4N Skyhawk, in the middle of a desert, under the burning sun, with the desert sand intruding almost everywhere. When Hasegawa produced their excellent scooter, I realised that this dream, had a good chance to come true. Only that at the time the only type produced was the A-4E/F, while A-4N was a development over A-4M. The problem was solved utilizing Cutting Edge Modelworks A-4N Ayit (Eagle) conversion set, providing:

  • New cockpit sections required because of the different windscreen and canopy. The cockpit area had to be removed and substituted.
  • New canopy and windscreen molded in clear resin. I did use the windscreen, but the canopy was replaced by a Squadron Products part.
  • The KB-18A strike camera, also molded in clear resin. This part may also be fitted in A-4Hs.
  • The extended tailpipe fitted to all IDF A-4s after the 1973 Yom-Kippur War to reduce the aircraft’s vulnerability to ground-launched IR guided missiles.
  • Two 30mm DEFA cannon, each consisting of a barrel (hollowed out at one end) and the associated underwing fairing. I did not use these parts, since I had already decided that the guns compartments would be left open.
  • Under fuselage braking parachute fairing.
  • Radar-warning receivers (RWR) for the underside of the nose and the sides of the tail.
  • Rectangular blade antennas. 
  • The dorsal avionics fairing (“hump”). This one is slightly different from the original A-4F fairing, including an intake and an exhaust port on the right side.
  • Large right side mid-fuselage air intake associated with the uprated J52-P-408 engine fitted to all A-4Ns.

This new engine required the installation of wider air intakes. These are separately provided by Cutting Edge in their A-4F “Superfox” conversion (CEC 48316). I also had decided to use AIRES A-4M Skyhawk (4360) set for the cockpit and dress it up, using decals from Isradecal (ISRA60), the set with the lion on the tail.

White metal landing gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions, replaced the excellent Hasegawa parts, not because of the details provided (actually I think SAC parts are exact copies of the HSGW ones), but because of the increased weight of the model.

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All of the interior, guns and tail details have been built using Evergreen and other plastic and metal parts, rod etc. This process required too much time in studying cutaway plans, scale drawings and photographs of the real scooter. The engine was also built, but at the end I decided not to place it in the fuselage, but instead exhibit it as a separate model.

The camouflage was painted using Gunze and Tamiya acrylics. First I sprayed the normal colours one tone down. Then I used the right colours for the second layer. Scratches and sanding revealed the covered layer, producing what I hope can be described as a warn out camouflage. Future was used on top of the paint job, providing the right surface for decaling and washes. Wash was performed using extremely thinned oil paints. Winsor & Newton’s mat varnish gave the final touch.

The only time I felt a bit let down was with the Isradecal decals. Although I used every kind of juices (!!!) they still kept small bubbles of air under them. I had to remove and replace them, therefore buying the same, very expensive, set twice. This project started on December 2008, and finished after almost a year J.

Dionysis Gardelis

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Photos and text © by Dionysis Gardelis