Change of Plans

IAF A-4E 819 build has been shelved.  Instead will build this model when they were in late Indonesian service.   I have found better pictures of these A-4Es.  Notice under the nose what looks like a radar altimeter in top picture and on the right side offset is a large blade antenna in bottom picture.

Luckily have the FCM decal sheet and very advanced on the build.  Will just have to scratch build the blade antenna, a few other sensors, and the radar altimeter.

819 Progress

Cockpit is in and fuselage glued together.  Avionics hump and barrel also glued.  Now working on seams to blend everything together.  Wing and landing gear are not glued in yet, just like putting plane together.

So far its been an easy and fun build.  Even attaching the barrel went on quickly and so far no major fuss.

Indonesian Skyhawk

Remember my talk of possibly building one of the Israeli A-4Es that were sold to Indonesia?  Here we go on the start of the build.  Once again the basis is the Monogram A-4E model.

But I have sawed off the sugar-scoop for the installation of the barrel.  The barrel is a leftover from the Hobbycraft A-4N/AF-1 kit.  The DEFA 30mm guns are coming from the spares box also, the ESCI A-4N kit since the Hobbycraft 30mm fairings are far too long.

The wing, intakes, speed brakes, and avionics fairing have been glued together.  All the ECM fairings and various antennas have been removed.  Will replace with needed and correct items later in build.

Paint and markings - as originally delivered to Indonesia.  Light gray, medium gray, and medium blue top colors.

A Scoop on Scoops

Finally got around to making a new scoop to represent an aircraft equipped with the J-52P-408A engine.

Top to bottom

1. The white scoop on tan fuselage I made from sheet plastic, X-Acto, and judicious use of files and sanding sticks.
2. The light gray large scoop is from the Hasegawa A-4M kit I used as the master.  
3. Finally the small medium gray scoop is what normally comes on all Monogram A-4 kits to represent the J-52P-6/8 engines.

As for what has been distracting me is the building of another earlier Douglas product the TBD-1 Devastator.

Going a bit detail crazy on the still excellent Monogram kit in 1/48th scale.

TA-4H Correction

Just when I thought I was going to start shooting Sand for the top pattern I found a problem.

Upon closer examination of photos of TA-4H 544 the plane has the mis-matched small intakes just aft of where the fuselage breaks in two for engine replacement.  The right side one is larger than the one on the left.

Left side - small intake just above and in front of the open spoiler.

Right side just above the right main gear can see the larger intake.

What this means is, 544 should have fitted the J-52P-400 engine of over 11,000lbs thrust like the A-4N.  Which means the OA-4M intakes that I have glued on are incorrect, would need the intakes from an A-4M or Super Fox to be correct correct.  Or I leave it as is since the difference between the two intake styles in 1/48 scale is almost microscopic.

Messing Around

This A-4E I had built oh about ten years ago in the low-viz markings of VA-127.  It was a very dirty and worn looking model.  So tried to clean off the grime that had accumulated.  And started to actually remove the paint giving this mottled appearance.  I thought it was neat looking so super glued a new refueling probe, re-attached the canopy, and snapped a picture or two.

Getting closer

About ready to shoot the light ghost gray underside color.  Just a little bit more sanding and should be ready.  Got main gear doors and flaps attached with white glue.

Test fit of the pylons.  I think I used ones from the A-4E kit - centerline with MER, external tank pylons from a first run OA-4M, and outer pylons from the Monogram of Germany pressing of the OA-4M.  Have I mentioned before that I have a large stash of Monogram kits?

Will be shooting the external tanks at same time as underside.  Once I mask off the bottom that is.

Added from the Hi-Tech A-4E the photo-etched sway braces to the MER and outer pylons.  Practice bombs are finished.  Should I make two more bombs for the outer pylons?

The home stretch beckons and then I will have finally finished this conversion build.

Small Progress?

 TA-4H 542 in the boneyard showing how the blade antenna in front of the canopy is offset from the centerline and just behind the pitot tube.

 TA-4H 544 taxiing showing the placement of all antennas.

Measure and mark twice before drilling locator hole for antenna.  Decal came from the already used HobbyCraft kit.  Also six practice bombs almost ready to install on centerline MER.