By the early 1990s, Argentina had to start to consider finding a replacement for its aging and diminishing fleet of A-4B/Cs.  Though Argentina had considered purchasing the F-16 and F/A-18, the US refused to sell these advanced aircraft to them.  In lieu of these, the Fuerza Aerea Argentina was offered used A-4Ms. Agreeing to the compromise, selected Skyhawks were removed from AMARC (Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Center) at the well-known Davis-Monthan AFB.

During the 214 million USD modernization program, the 32 single seaters received several updates, in addition to a complete overhaul of the airframe. The four OA-4Ms purchased received a much reduced updating, mainly being used for pilot training. With the arrival of the first of the A-4AR Fightinghawks in late 1997, the V Brigada Aerea could look forward to retiring its well aged and used earlier A-4s.

 This kit had the cockpit improved, starting with a .010” card instrument panel that was further detailed with card and photoetched parts. The missing side consoles were slabs of .060” card cut to shape and then sections of .010” card were added to the tops. The new tops were then detailed with card and punched discs using Waldron’s Sub-Miniature Punch & Die Set. To simulate the sound padding on the walls, a section of .005” card had a diamond pattern embossed on it by using a ball-point pen and steel straight edge. The kit seat was replaced by the excellent resin True Details ESCAPE found in set 72408. A floor made from card was added, as was the missing aft bulkhead. The final addition was a scratchbuilt control stick made from card and stretched sprue.

All of the cockpit contents, including the cockpit area, were primed in Testors Model Master (MM) Interior Black enamel. Floquils Primer Gray was then used as the interior grey, and sprayed on appropriate areas and then detailed painting was done using various acrylic paints. The side consoles were glued to the new padded wall, and some lead weights were added to the nose.

Testor’s Liquid glue was applied first to the tail assembly and then the fuselage halves were mated. After the nose cap was glued into location, Tenax liquid glue was then applied along the fuselage seam with a small brush and left to dry overnight. Next day, superglue was run along all seams and the entire fuselage was sanded smooth. The later A-4s have a pronounced fairing running along of the bottom of the nose. Matchbox has supplied an emaciated version of this that does not quite look right. To capture the correct shape, a length of .010’ card was glued into location, and then this addition was faired in with applications of superglue. In addition, the A-4AR has an additional round housing superimposed on this fairing. A punch disc of .020” was glued into place that was then sanded to correct profile. Removed panel lines were then engraved using Testors Tape as an edge. The actual engraving was accomplished by first running the back of a new #11 along the guide a couple of times. Final cut was with an OLPHA P-Cutter blade to both deepen and clean the new panel line. The fin was modified by adding the top housing made from a block of .040” card. This was faired in with a slice of card and filler. In addition, the two ESM housings mounted on the tailpipe were added from modified parts from the Italeri kit. The completed fuselage was set aside.

With the fuselage assembled, the main wings were tackled next. First, the locating slot in the front bay for the incorrectly configured retraction arms was removed. Then a .010” card roof and aft bulkhead was added to the bay. The wing halves were glued together and then the front bay had three of the sides framed in with .010” card walls and some ribbing was also added. When dry, some hydraulic details were replicated with fine copper wire. All of the raised panel lines on the wings were sanded off and unfortunately, only the front row of vortex generators could be retained. Engraving was carried out as per the fuselage, with the ESM housings at the lower wingtips added after modifying parts from the Italeri kit. 

For joining the fuselage and wings together, a generous application of Testors Liquid glue was used. This was allowed to start to set up a tad and then the wing was attached and run back and forth. In addition to fully seating the wing against the fuselage, it also acts as filler as some liquefied plastic is forced out. A small application of superglue to the bottom, followed by a light sanding produced very good results. As the tailplanes would be attached after painting, all these parts were set aside.

Due to the fact that the unused Italeri landing gear (that model posed in flight) is superior to the kit item, this was used. The upgraded undercarriage fell into one of three categories. First, the superior Italeri parts were detailed with a combination of fine silver, copper, or brass wire and card. Second, the kit doors used were upgraded by sanding thinner, then adding detail made from card. Final option was to scratch build a new nose gear door from card, copper wire, and a square of Plumber’s tape.

For underwing stores, the Italeri kit acted as a source. Both the pylon mounted rocket pods and centerline tank was used after cleaning up and some minor detailing. Added detail for the pods consisted of adding the missing sway braces from .010” card and eight .028 x .010” discs. The tank had some side panels made from .005” card, and a filler cap made from Plumbers Tape. For the outer wing Sidewinder pylons, Italeri supplied the main part, with a modified launcher coming from a Hasegawa F-16 kit.  The excellent late model Sidewinder comes from an updated sprue from a Revell F-16 kit.

Before the kit was started, I wanted to make sure that A-4AR decals were available. FCM decals from Brazil do produce a sheet that includes the desired markings. This was ordered from Hannants and arrived shortly after. This sheet offers complete four-views showing the entire disruptive pattern – excellent. According to the sheet, the two greys are Light Gray 36375 (Light Ghost Gray), and medium gray 36231 (Dark Gull Gray). As it turns out, Model Master makes both of these colours in enamel and they were used. 

Foam was used as a cockpit mask and then the entire project, including the masked canopy, was shot in Testors Model Master (MM) Light Ghost Grey (LGG). Some corrections were carried out with a spot application of superglue, followed by sanding and a spot application of primer. After the corrections were made, the canopy was white glued into location. The entire project was pre-shaded in MM Interior Black, followed by a misting of the LGG, which also did double duty of base camouflage colour. A free-hand application of MM Dark Gull gray (DGG) followed. Select areas were then masked, to be sprayed a different colour. The wells were shot in white, while the intake warning triangles were shot in the reverse grey (decals are provided, but the paint is an exact match). When dry, the intake lips were masked as was part of the false canopy on the lower fuselage (also supplied as a decal). These two areas were sprayed with a dark grey that was mixed to match the dark grey of the decals. Another area that was masked was the cover plates where the flare ejector is mounted. Photos of the actual AR show these to be light grey, so these were done accordingly. Final variation on grey was the nose tip and housing on top of the fin.  

To add some visual interest, the underwing items were sprayed in a variety of greys, with the Sidewinder getting some blue added. Stenciling was simulated with a Technical Pen, and after detailed painting and weathering, these items looked the part.

With painting completed, the model was given a smooth gloss finish compliments of Micro Gloss. Next, the FCM decals were applied using Micro Set. When dry, Micro Sol was used, getting the decals to get right into the Matchbox trenches. Letting the model sit for a week to fully cure, a Raw Umber wash was applied to the panel lines, producing satisfying results. The model was shot with Testors Flat Lacquer to dull the finish somewhat and then the masking was removed from the canopy.

Final items like the blade antenna for both the upper fuselage and nose gear door were made from card, painted and glued to their locations. All stores and gear doors were applied, along with a red beacon to the top fuselage compliments of Cutting Edge. With paint applied to wing tip lights and the pre-painted cannons applied, this Argie AR was ready for parade.

Though the Fujimi 1/72 A-4 is a far superior kit and the Italeri A-4B is better, a little TLC and the spares bin sure improves the basic Matchbox kit.