**** DONE: 1/48 A-4C Skyhawk-Mig Killer - Carrier Aircraft GB (1 Viewer)

[fubar57]

Username-Fubar57
Name-George
Category-Intermediate
Scale-1/48
Manufacturer-Hobbycraft A-4B Kit #1433
Extras-None

EDIT #2 This is now going to be a build of an aircraft(A-4B) representing another aircraft(A-4C) that did the actual shoot-down.

This kit is from Hobbycrafts A-4 family. I was just going to build it and then decided to see if I could find any info on the U.S. Navy version on the decal sheet. From the excellent web-site,
A-4 Skyhawk Association | A-4's Forever!, I found out that on May 1,1967, Lieutenant Commander Ted R. Swartz, USN in Douglas A-4C Skyhawk NP-685, BuNo 148609 of the VA-76 "Spirits" and flying from the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) shot down a MiG-17 over North Vietnam.
Basic Hobbycraft instruction with the main colors called out but you have to figure out the interior and ordnance colors. The clear parts look a little hazy and I've read that there is a profile issue. No big deal for me.

I'll use the decals from the Hobbycraft A-4C kit

Geo

EDIT: Just found this picture of the above aircraft as a presentation aircraft. The presentation aircraft is actually an A-4B. Going to P.G. tomorrow and I'm pretty sure there is a Hobbycraft A-4B model. This would fit in with my oddball schemes fetish. If the model is still there and it's OK with the Mods I would like to build this as an aircraft representing another aircraft. I'll post tomorrow night if I made the purchase. If not I'll go with Plan A. Thanks in advance for all the hassle I my incur.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Excellent George and a nice bit of digging on some background.

 

[A4K]

Great choice(s) Geo, not that I'm biased toward the A-4 in any way....

 

[Wayne Little]

Nice one George.

 

[Wurger]

I echo the post above.

 

[meatloaf109]

If memory serves he lobbed a Zuni ground attack missle that cut the Mig clean in half.
Great choice for an interesting subject!
Interior of the cockpit is a dark gull grey with black IP and panels, the interior of the wheel wells is white with red on the edges of the covers, and typical ordinance (rocket pods) light gull grey, bombs are an olive green with yellow bands.

 

[Airframes]

Good one George. Getting a nice selection in this GB, great stuff !

 

[brucejscott]

Great kit George. You will enjoy building it.

 

[Crimea_River]

Good one Geo.

 

[fubar57]

Thanks all. On my way to P.G. in a few minutes and might get something started when I return. Thanks for the info Paul and if your correct about the Zuni, I would have loved to have seen the look on the pilot's face after the Hail Mary lob shot.

Geo

 

[vikingBerserker]

Looking forwrd to this one.

 

[meatloaf109]

Thanks all. On my way to P.G. in a few minutes and might get something started when I return. Thanks for the info Paul and if your correct about the Zuni, I would have loved to have seen the look on the pilot's face after the Hail Mary lob shot.

Geo

Yeah, had to have been sweet!
On May 1, 1967 LCDR T.R. Swartz shot down a N.V. Mig-17 with Zuni air to ground unguided missles. He was awarded the Silver Star.

 

[Lucky13]

 

[Matt308]

Now that is amazing. I love the A-4. Hell I love any plane whose drop tank is as big as the fuselage!

 

[woody]

Another good one.

 

[ccheese]

Now that is amazing. I love the A-4. Hell I love any plane whose drop tank is as big as the fuselage!

Those drop tanks come in mighty handy in a wheels up landing....

Charles

 

[fubar57]

If it pleases your Honors, I would like to replace the A-4C kit with the newly purchased A-4B kit for the reasons stated in my first post.

If someone could drop me an email as to what changes I will need to make in my post, it will be greatly appreciated and I'll get building.
Thank you,

Geo

 

[Crimea_River]

You can just go back to your first post and click on "Edit Post".

 

[vikingBerserker]

Those drop tanks come in mighty handy in a wheels up landing....

Charles

I never noticed, but it does have a look of a sea plane!

 

[A4K]

Go for it Geo - love the A-4 in any way shape or form!