Scooter Trainers TA-4J Part 2

Afterburner Decals, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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After years of speculation, waiting and disappointment as one Shizuoka or Tokyo show slipped by after another, finally in 2009 Hasegawa released the TA-4J as an all new kit in 1/48 scale. Although pipped by Classic Airframes, who took the plunge in 2008 and produced a credible model, for many it was Hasegawa or nothing.

The release of Hasegawa's kit has not been ignored and one manufacturer that has produced decals is Afterburner Decals. Sheet AD48-057 covers an array of colourful TA-4J Skyhawks in overall white, white with hi-viz panels, a full colour commemorative scheme and the traditional gull grey over white – with sharkmouth.

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Thumbnail panels:

This sheet has 9 options for 8 US Navy TA-4Js and an A-4E including:

• BuNo 153674 VX-4 1974 (this is the option in gull grey and white with a large shark mouth wrapped around the nose.

• BuNo153477 Blue Angels No 7 1981 in overall white.

• BuNo 153502 VA-45  Commander Light Attack Wing One Aircraft 1974 in overall white with green trim.

• BuNo 152871 VF-43 Challengers 1973 in overall white with medium blue trim.

• BuNo 158501 VT-7 1992 in white with hi-viz panels.

• BuNo 156925 VT-86 1974 in white with hi-viz panels.

• BuNo 154617 VF-126 1974 in white with medium blue trim.

• BuNo 158723 VT-24 1986 in a striking blue, gold and white scheme to commemorate 75 years of Naval Aviation.

• To round out the nine options is an A-4E BuNo 152080 of VT-7 in 1986, also in the US Navy training scheme of white with hi-viz panels.

Detailed instructions printed in full colour on glossy A4 pages are included for each subject as well as stencil placement diagram to help place the decals which are printed on one A5 and two smaller sheets which include two sets of national markings and basic stenciling.  As usual for the printer, Cartograph, each decal design is crisp and in perfect register with the sheets literally crammed with artwork. In conclusion the long awaited two seat A-4 has finally arrived with not one but three (including what I suspect is an AZ repop of the Classic Airframes kit) kits now available. Given the repetition of schemes between the kits, this new sheet from Afterburner will offer some excellent and colourful alternatives for the modeler.

Thanks to Afterburner Decals for the sample

Review Copyright © 2009 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 5 November, 2009
Last updated 5 November, 2009

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