This model was
converted from a Hasegawa A-4E, to an early Israeli
airforce A-4H. The conversion was done using the resin set available
from "Cutting Edge
Design". The model was built to appear as one
of the first planes received by the IAF in the late 1960s, which were designated
"A-4H". I have already built a later A-4E Skyhawk, in 32nd
scale, with all the Israeli modifications, but I wanted another that would
have been used during the "War of Attrition". This was the
initiation period of American warplanes to the IAF, and their
"Baptism of fire" against the Egyptians in nearly daily raids along
the Suez canal and Nile Delta. It was also used at that time to bomb PLO
training camps in Jordan and Syria. One plane from this squadron (#03) managed
to down 2 Syrian MiG-17s with unguided air to ground rockets!!
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The model was
painted in the usual camo pattern for Skyhawks of that period, but using the
"Douglas Aircraft" shade of green FS #34258. This shade was
common to all Skyhawks in the IAF service used during that time. After
the mid 1970s, all A4 models in the IAF were repainted in the McDonnell green
shade FS# 34227 as applied to the F4-E Phantom.
The paint is Testors "Model
Master" #s FS 33531 (sand) FS 34258 (green) FS 30219 (dark tan) and FS
35622 (duck egg blue). The decals I used were from "Sky's
Decals" sheet #6 "Israeli Skyhawk collection" in 32nd scale. The
model was coated numerous times before, during, and after decaling with
"Future" acrylic floor polish. The final coat used was
"Testors" Clear Flat Lacquer, misted over the model to achieve a satin
finish.
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The model
represents an aircraft in the markings of the "Valley" squadron,
Israel's first Skyhawk squadron. It carries a 2 digit A/C call#,
later changed to 3 digits after Israel received more than 100 planes. The
originally supplied "Colt" 20mm cannons equip this plane, but these
were later changed out for French DEFA 30mm on all IAF A4s. The MER bomb
racks on the inboard pylons, are also resin kits from "Cutting Edge
Design". They are nicely detailed, abit tedious to build, but look
great after painting. The French 500lb bombs on the MERs' are from a
32nd scale Mirage IIIE kit by "Revell". All the small
stenciling on the bombs are from model railroad decal sheets, as they have lots
of nearly unreadable numbers. All in all, this was a total pleasure
to build and I highly recommend this kit to anybody who loves
"Scooters"
Edward
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