While the finish gets closer it also seems to draw further away as I ponder what I should do next.
I have finished dressing it and it just awaits a final coat of clear.





The bombs and external tank are just tacked on for its photo shoot.

I am thinking of doing a display for it, something I haven't done before. Skyhawks in Vietnam were heavily stained and it would be a good excuse to show the plane being serviced. Does anybody know of Marine Corps ground crew in 1/32nd scale? I have seen pilots from this era and Navy crew. Most pictures show ground crew I guess in fatigues, often shirtless I think due to the heat and humidity. Any thoughts?

cheers
Michael

Beautiful!

Your work is top notch, very clean and professional.


This is how I too like to build Trumpeter kits, build them once, but build them well. I can't think of one that I have built that I would want to do again

Thanks Matt. I will take the kudos but I know my own flaws in this build.
I am with you on building the same kits. I don't have enough time to build the ones I want let alone building the same plane again.

cheers
Michael

how's that coat of clear going Michael?

This is looking great BTW!

Hi Russ,
Thanks for reminding about this me. I had a few issues that caused to lose my way a bit. See next post. But we have got there and now focused on next phase.

cheers
Michael

Well a few issues with the decals caused me to stop on this kit for a while but the pressure of a campaign deadline - Trumpeter Mk 3 -and a wish to try to put the plane in a setting has seen some activity over the last week.

A few months ago I thought the decals were great but they have subsequently caused plenty of grief. It was with the black sheep and the insignia stars that caused the most problems but there other minor issues, like just falling off. The decals were by Microscale and I used mainly Sol to apply but over time they just didn't go the distance.
Break up like this was the worst

and all the star decals split

I did order some more but these were printed by Cartograf and a different shade of blue.
Anyway, I have finished the build this time for sure. Added some firepower by Profimodel

A-4C's had wipers for the front screen. Note to self, fix the paint and stop using a macro lens.

Added some aerials out of copper wire



So all is done.







This A-4C is based on a Marine Skyhawk flying out of Chu Lai in 1967. The next piece of work is to build a diorama around the plane sitting in a revetment. I have started to acquire some ground equipment. Obviously I have an airfield base but I don't think it is right for the period so I will likely change it. Other pieces I have are

and some Tamiya barrels for the wall which I will have to clone because I am going to need a few of them


Any suggestions on ground crew would be welcomed.

Thanks for the all the interest in following this build.

cheers
Michael

Michael, this is a superb rendering of the A4! Congratulations!

It's a shame about those decals: when they break up like that, it can be totally heart breaking after all your hard work ,so it's good to see that Cartograph came to the rescue!

Really looking forward to seeing what you do with the dio.

And yes, macro lenses are our own worst critics

Michael,
That is a fantastic looking build.
I hope it becomes a feature.However there is one glaring error.
Its not in RNZAF colours. the last scheme would look great.
perhaps the for the next one.

Cheers

Chris

Thanks Russ

Yes the decals were a little disappointing but I like the finished build and that is probably all that matters.

The dio is a challenge because I can only find 1/35 scale marines. They'll all have to busy under the wings or crouching down.

cheers

Michael

Hi Chris,
Nothing against the RNZAF because I use to love going to Ohakea when I was kid for the airshows. I usually decide to build a particular plane because of a a number of factors. I had just finished reading a modern history of Vietnam when I saw a review for AoA decals and conversion kit for an A-4C as a package so I bought those then found the Trumpeter kit. I will to have find something else to build in home colours

cheers
Michael

I'm late to the party, but have enjoyed going through the build.
I also remember watching them fly above our house when I was a kid. I also remember when the RAAF brought over the F18's, they were monsters when you saw them flying against the the A4.

regards.

Thanks Spud. That was my recollection, how small A-4s are against the next generation of fighter jets.

cheers

Michael