A-4A Skyhawk Converision
for Hasegawa

CAT4, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

CAT4 has released a new resin set converting Hasegawa's 1/48 scale A-4E/F Skyhawk into a, early version A-4A or A4D-1.

This will be an ideal companion to CAT4's colourful decal sheet and Zuni missiles set.

The set comprises six parts in grey resin packed in a ziplock bag.

The nose is the most obvious difference between the early and later Skyhawks. This is supplied as a single resin part with very nice surface textures, raised and recessed.

A replacement rudder is also supplied. This is smooth as opposed to the deeply scalloped rudder of later versions.

Next up are the early instrument panel, instrument coaming and side consoles. Once again, these are very well detailed and will come up nicely with careful painting and dry-brushing, or with the addition of decal dials.

There are no instructions provided, which won't be a particular challenge for the six conversion parts as they are fairly self-explanatory.

However, there are a number other important modifications required to the donor kit that are not addressed in this conversion.

A helpful reference here will be FineScale Modeler magazine from May 2013, where Darren Roberts undertakes a similar project using the Steel Beach conversion.

In summary, Darren notes that the following changes are also required:

• Removing the in-flight refuelling probe.

• Sanding off the Angle of Attack sensor on the port fuselage side and filling the recessed detail.

• The addition of vortex generators on both sides of the fuselage.

• Replacing the anti-collision light with a flush-mounted version.

• Wing vortex generators cut off and a set of two fitted near the leading edge slats.

• On the wing undersides, radio altimeter housing and anti-collision beacon were removed.

• Approach light lens was filled and sanded.

• Angle of Attack lens added to front landing gear.

If you are planning on building this conversion, you'll find the FSM article extremely valuable. Each of the steps is illustrated with a photo and described in text and captions.

CAT4 has produced an early Skyhawk set that provides the major conversion parts, but the lack of instructions means that you will need to consult references carefully for the additional modifications required.

Once you've done that though, you will have a unique and attractive A-4A / A4D-2, especially if you use CAT4's colourful decal sheet.

Thanks to CAT4 or the sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2020 by Brett Green
Page Created 20 November, 2020
Last updated 20 November, 2020

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