Aussie A-4G Skyhawk FINISHED.

[ericg]

I spent some time today fitting alot of the parts that have been hanging around this kit such as the leading edge slats and flaps, nose gear and horizontal stabilizers. I also test fitted the loadout. It should be noted that I have a tail sitter at this point in the build, as I didn't add any nose weight. By tail sitter, I mean that if it is pushed down at the tail it wont return to its nose gear by itself. I do however have a devious plan that will sort out the problem whilst only adding the minimum required amount of weight to get it to return to its nose if tipped, therefore keeping the total weight of the model down.  I am pretty pleased with how this kit has turned out so far and cant wait to get it into the display cabinet.

 

 

[Vitali]

Looks great Eric and you don't see to many Aussie A-4's built up. Well done!

[ericg]

Part of the build has been connecting with the pilot of the aircraft. I tracked down John via Facebook and we have had quite a bit of correspondence about his time flying the A-4, in particular 882. I wanted to get his name on the side as per the original, so I set about making it happen. I tried using my inkjet printer and some spare clear decal sheet, only to see failure.....

 

Here it is, and I certainly wasn't happy with it.

 

 

I am lucky enough to have a good mate with an ALPS printer, so I asked him nicely and a couple of days later I received a very nicely printed sheet of pilots names, thanks Dave! Much better.

 

 

I am pushing on with this build to hopefully see it finished by the end of the year.

[ClumsyDude]

Great work Eric. Those alps decals look the biz.

 

Jim

[alaninaustria]

Really great work Eric!!!

[LSP_Kevin]

Good work, mate. Nearly there!

 

Kev

[brahman104]

Awesome Eric!

 

Craig

[geedubelyer]

I think I'm in the minority as I've never really understood the appeal of the Skyhawk but I do really like this model.

 

Good job Eric.

 

Cheers.

[ericg]

Some more work.

 

Here is a small gauge behind a sight glass that I drilled into the fuselage. (still looking for pics of the forward gauge)

 

 

Looking through my references, I discovered that there were two large hooks that extend from the wheel well when the undercarriage is down to permit attachment of the launch cable. Initially I missed these hooks, as the walkaround pictures that I was using that my friend Bruce lent me were of New Zealand Skyhawk and either had them deleted, or were of the TA-4 which were not used on carriers. 

 

Here is a picture of the Wheel well before I added the new parts.

 

 

I decided to scratchbuild some hooks, as the Aires resin parts look nothing like what I wanted, and the trumpeter units from the kit are way too small.  Some bit and pieces of plastic card and rod were used to build each hook.

 

 

 

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They are a little hard to see , but they hang down from the bays as per my refs.

 

 

I didn't put any nose weight into the model as I like to make my models as light as possible. A bit of a risk but a calculated one at that. By dry fitting everything to the model it was quite apparent that it was going be a tail sitter, So I hollowed out the bottom of the ejection seat and fitted a chunk of lead into the resulting hole. It is just enough to positively return the model to its nose wheel if it is tipped.

 

 

Edited December 28, 2015 by ericg

[allthumbs]

Hi Eric,

 

This build keeps getting better and better! I love those catapult hooks that you fashioned from hand.

 

Regarding the small viewing window on the nose...is this the one you're referring to?

 

 

If so, it's for viewing the brake fluid reservoir sight gauge, as this servicing diagram illustrates...

 

 

From what I can tell, the gauge itself is set apart some distance from the window and is oriented horizontally against the sloping geometry of the nose section. Therefore, it might not be plainly visible except to a crew chief peering in up close with the aid of a flashlight.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Rich

Edited December 31, 2015 by allthumbs

[ericg]

Hi Rich,

 

That is exactly what I am chasing, thanks very much.

 

There is also a small window just below the main step that I am also looking for info on.

 

Eric.

[Zero77]

The wheel bays are really impressive, and it's all taking very good shape !

 

 

 

I think I'm in the minority as I've never really understood the appeal of the Skyhawk but I do really like this model.

 

Good job Eric.

 

Cheers.

 

I thought the same even a few months ago. Until i see an amazing model in the ready for inspection forum of an Israeli Skyhawk. And seeing such a load out on a so small and cute aircraft just converted me.

[allthumbs]

Hi Rich,

 

That is exactly what I am chasing, thanks very much.

 

There is also a small window just below the main step that I am also looking for info on.

 

Eric.

You mean this thingy...

 

 

It's simply a hole for the custom boarding ladder used on the Skyhawk. Here's another picture...

 

 

On the subject of view windows/gauges, the rudder and both ailerons had small inspection ports (on each side of the control surface). I haven't determined their purpose...perhaps hydraulic shimmy damper reservoirs?

 

Anyhow, here's one for the rudder...

 

 

and another for an aileron...

 

 

Again they're present on both sides of the control surfaces, but absent altogether on the elevators.

 

Cheers

Edited December 30, 2015 by allthumbs

[ericg]

That's the one thanks. I didn't realise it is just a hole for the ladder.

 

Eric.

[Loic]

Great work on this Scooter Eric