Hasegawa 1/72 McDonnell Douglas OA-4M Skyhawk

HASEGAWA 1:72 MCD.D. OA-4M SKYHAWK

Reviewer: Matt Lockman (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 20 May 2007 published 13 June 2007

Kit Details:

McDonnell-Douglas OA-4M Skyhawk, Hasegawa, 1:72 scale

Aircraft History:

The original A-4 Skyhawk was developed as a lightweight attack jet for the U.S. Navy in the early 1960’s. It was a compact, simplistic machine with delta-shaped wings and a narrow fuselage. While tiny by combat jet standards, it was a robust, gutsy, nimble machine that could haul enough ordnance to make a statement and hold its own in combat. It saw extensive action with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps moving mud in Vietnam and was upgraded numerous times, the most noticeable of which was the addition of a “camel hump” avionics package behind the cockpit on the A-4F and all subsequent versions. While the Navy phased the A-4 out of combat service by the late 1960’s, relegating it to training, sea control, aggressor, and test and evaluation squadrons, the Marines kept it in service as the A-4M well into the 1980’s. The two-seat OA-4M was the last version made and served the Marines as a forward air controller until its retirement in 1990. (A “stuffed” OA-4M sits at the main gate of MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, where I was stationed in 1991-92). The TA-4F two-seat trainer served the Navy into the mid-1990’s and it wasn’t until 2002 that the Navy officially retired the last of it’s A-4’s.

The Kit:

I had originally purchased this kit in Japan while stationed there in 1991. I had started work on it, then put it away and didn’t pick it up again for almost 14 years! Having followed me to four different duty stations and back home to Chicago, I was impressed that no pieces were damaged or missing. All parts were attached to five sprue trees molded in light grey. The two-piece canopy was attached to a separate clear sprue tree. No noticeable flash or glaring defects in any parts.

Instructions:

Fold-out pages were very straightforward and provided sufficient detail. A parts diagram is included and notes a handful of parts that are not used. This kit is a partial re-box of Hasegawa’s 1:72 A-4E/F and contains many parts for use with that model. Most pieces are identical for either version, except the OA-4M rarely used the array of weapons stores included with this kit. These can be added if desired, but the box art and instructions call for the model to be finished in its typical garb of three external drop tanks. Hasegawa’s paint matrix actually includes a handful of references to FS numbers, which makes it easy to match the multiple shades of grey that are required.

Construction:

Hasegawa’s reputation for quality does not disappoint with this one. Fit problems were minimal, and light sanding was necessary on most seam lines taking care not to obliterate the recessed panel lines. Most annoying fit problems were the speedbrakes, which almost need to be attached in the deployed position. I elected to close them and created several days of work puttying up, sanding, and sealing to smooth them over. The cavities for the speedbrake panels are too far recessed, so closing them leaves about a 1/32 inch edge around them which looks terrible. Simply sanding the edge off would leave a noticeable divot, so I worked putty over the whole speedbrake and eventually sanded it all smooth with the rest of the fuselage. I used a scribing tool to re-etch the lines around the panels, which took a lot of patience as I had completely erased all the surrounding panel lines I could have used as references. But it turned out alright. In retrospect, I probably could have slipped a thin sheet of scrap styrene under the speedbrake to raise it to the correct level and avoid the putty work. Otherwise, everything went together well. Tweezers are highly recommended for this kit with all of the tiny parts such as ECM and RHAW blisters on the nose and tail. Beware the carpet monster and keep track of the tiny parts! And be very careful with the refuelling probe; this very thin piece of curved plastic will snap easily so I’d suggest making it one of the last things you attach.

Options:

While the instructions show a picture of the A-4E/F version, this kit only provides the two-seat fuselage halves, cockpit, and canopy for the OA-4M. As mentioned previously, weapons load for the A-4E/F and OA-4M are essentially interchangeable and all necessary pylons, MER’s, and ordnance are included. But to maintain accuracy of the real thing, one should stick to the boring drop tanks instead, or finish your model “clean” without any stores. (I also bought the A-4E/F kit and have the left-over parts from the OA-4M kit to use, giving myself greater options for different weapons configurations on the A-4E/F version.) The instructions do allow for the fuselage speed brakes to be attached in the deployed position. If electing to leave them closed, some filler work will be necessary to obtain smooth seams. Canopy can be displayed opened or closed; the slightly oversized post suggests that it should be displayed open. While instructions don’t offer it, the tailhook can be attached in stowed position or deployed. Model can be displayed with a crew boarding ladder, which is included.

Colour Schemes:

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps standard mid-to-late 1980’s three-tone grey-on-grey tactical paint scheme with white landing gear, interior wells, and bay doors.

Decals:

Decals for three aircraft are furnished, but two of them are for the same squadron (H&MS-12 “Outlaws” stationed out of MCAS Iwakuni, Japan). Differences include white or black modex markings, numbers, and branch of service. The H&MS-12 markings are graduated by color to correspond with the different shades of grey in the paint scheme, so attention to painting details are important if you choose to make this version. Age of the decals didn’t seem to be a problem and they bed down nicely even without setting solution. Solvaset was used sparingly on a couple of stubborn decals. If you use the Model Master enamels, be sure to lay down a couple coats of gloss before applying the decals so they don’t silver. When finished, a coat of clear flat was applied to seal everything in.

Accuracy:

While this is a partial re-box of an older kit and the kit is old in its own right, the details were impressive. Hasegawa did an excellent job replicating this aircraft in this scale. Proportionally, the model is superb and captures the essence of the real thing. The model oozes detail, right down to the vortex generators on the wings and delicate panel lines on all surfaces.

Overall Recommendation:

Excellent kit if you can find it. Was originally purchased as a newer release in 1991 and haven’t seen it at all in the three hobby shops I regularly visit, or on the Internet except for E-Bay. While cockpit and pilot figures lack detail (apparently a Hasegawa trademark), the rest of the model is a clear indication of Hasegawa’s commitment to quality and accuracy. Taking care of fit problems with the speedbrakes requires patience and applying the three-tone grey scheme correctly requires a bit of airbrush experience, so beginners attempting this kit should keep that in mind.

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