A4K's A-4Ks... 1:72 A-4 Skyhawk production line. (2 Viewers)

[A4K]

G'day guys!

As anyone who knows me knows, I love Skyhawks...(technically, the McDonnell-Douglas A-4, affectionately, the 'Scooter' or 'Squawk' as we call them in NZ).

I joined the RNZAF for these things, and have long had a dream/ goal to build one of every type of Squawk we used, from 1970- 2001, representing all major marking variations, colour schemes, avionics fitouts and weapon loads.

This will entail 12 RNZAF aircraft in total, based on 3 Esci and 9 Fujimi/ Hobby 2000 kits, all 1:72, aswell as some from other nations for variety and light relief.
The kiwis will be as detailed and accurate as I can physically make them.

Pics and info up as I go along...

Cheers,
Evan.

 

[talbot]

very cool goal Evan, looking forward to seeing them as you progress

 

[fubar57]

Good stuff, Evan. Following along

 

[A4K]

Cheers Steve and Geo.

 

[Airframes]

Looking forward to this Evan.

 

[Wurger]

With Terry.

 

[Crimea_River]

Evan, that sounds like a great long term project. Will watch with interest.

 

[A4K]

Cheers guys, definitely long term Andy

As you do, discovered two new variations today on the Aussie A-4G Squawks we purchased in 1984. Two more to get then...

Further honed the RNZAF plan today, should go more or less like this:

Flyers (as wing slats fixed):
1. Esci A-4 Scooter - A-4K. SEA scheme 3: Kiwi roundels w/ straight fin flash.
2. Esci A-4F Aggressor (-their spelling) - A-4K. Euro 1 ('lizard') scheme, Kahu II with full weapons load.
3. Esci A-4E - A-4K, NZ6201, 'Too effective' scheme trialled before mod. to final scheme. Low- vis Grey kiwis and serials.

On the ground:
4. Hobby 2000 A-4E - A-4K NZ6201. Delivery scheme: SEA 1, RAF roudels and fin flashes.
5. Hobby 2000 A-4E - A-4K. SEA 4: Kiwi roundels, tapered FF.
6. Hobby 2000 A-4E - A-4G NZ6215. RAN two- grey scheme, rounded tail fin.
7. Hobby 2000 A-4E - A-4K. Euro 1 scheme, pre-Kahu (still with avionics hump)
8. Fujimi A-4F/ TA-4F - A-4K NZ6216. Euro 1 post- Kahu (initial)
9. Fujimi A-4F/ TA-4F - TA-4K SEA 2: Silver fern roundel.
10. Fujimi A-4F/TA-4F - TA-4G NZ6256. RAN one-tone Grey scheme, White rudder.
11. Fujimi TA-4J/F - TA-4G NZ6256. RNZAF Golden Ann. scheme.
12. Fujimi TA-4J/F - TA-4K. Final one-tone scheme. (Looks better on the TA than the A-4K!)

Add to that the two 'one-offs' found today:
13. A-4G NZ6213. Squared fin, but still in original RAN two- tone Grey scheme.
14. A-4G NZ621?. Euro 1 scheme, pre- Kahu. Rounded fin top.
(Will get kits later on to cover the last two. Need a load of ESCAPAC IG-3 ejector seats first for the ones I have!)

 

[A4K]

To clarify the above, these are the main colour schemes we used: All pictures via the net.

South East Asia (SEA) scheme, 1970- 1985/6

Euro 1 ("Lizard") scheme, 1985/6 -1997/8

1987 Golden Anniversary scheme.

Trial Green scheme, 1997.

All-over Green scheme, 1997- 2001 (end of RNZAF service).

RAN Grey schemes, mostly retained until the Project Kahu Avionics/ weapons upgrade starting around 1989, though one atleast received a Euro 1 scheme pre-Kahu.

Aswell as colour scheme changes, we had various marking combinations:

1. Delivery scheme, RAF-type roundels and fin flashes, 1970.

2. Silver fern added to Red centre. 1970.

3. Red Kiwi introduced. 1970

4. Fin flash slanted and tapered. Ca.1980.

5. White removed from roundels and fin flashes with Euro 1 scheme. Blue portion of roundel reduced in diameter. 1985/6.

6. Trialled Low-vis markings on NZ6201, Kiwi only. Proved "Too effective".1997.

7. Black-Clear-Black roundel, fin flash removed. 1997- 2001 (end of RNZAF service)

The remaining differences are all avionics and weapons related, including the removal of the avionics humps*, which significantly changed her appearance.

(*Ours were empty anyway, we never purchased the equipment. Pilot's stored their baggage in them )

For a fantastic source of information covering all this in more detail, see Calum Gibson's excellent site:

Modelling the RNZAF Skyhawk

Introduction The purpose of this blog is to describe the RNZAF A-4 and TA-4 Skyhawk as a modelling subject. It will cover the original T/A-4...

hamfisted-modeller.blogspot.com

 

[rochie]

As you know, mine will be in the SEAC scheme.

 

[A4K]

Yep, looking forward to that Karl.

 

[Jadera]

Nice I guess Mr. Evan cuz you're probably way older than me!

 

[fubar57]

Like the colours on the second one

 

[A4K]

My favourite Geo. That's how they looked when I was in the Air Force.

 

[A4K]

Nice I guess Mr. Evan cuz you're probably way older than me!

53. 'Old' compared to some, 'young' compared to others.