Kit: A-4M Skyhawk

Scale: 1/72

Kit Number: PK 29

Manufacturer: Matchbox

Price: $4.00

Media: Injected plastic

Decals : Two colorful USMC schemes

Date of Review: 30 November, 1996

Comments:  The A-4M was the last of a line of Douglas Skyhawks.  Specifically built for the Marine Corps, it offered an improved engine and avionics to help increase survivability in battlefield conditions.  Recognizable by its larger canopy and various ECM antennas, approximately 120 A-4Ms were built.  Now out of US service, many are being rehabbed for sale to Argentina and other foreign users.

The Matchbox kit is typical of offerings by this company.  The main idea is for a kit that can be built with a minimum of fuss and still provide an accurate representation.  Unlike most Matchbox kits, the detail is finely raised and not very heavy-handed like other offerings.  Gone are the trench-like panel lines, but still retained are the multiple colors.  The parts go together well with minimum fuss and minimum putty, the only areas needing attention were the underside of the wing/fuselage join that had a gap at the rear and a step at the front that needed attention.

The interior is quite Spartan, consisting of a seat, stick and instrument panel.  A decal is available for instruments.  Any additional detail is lost under the quite thick and distorted canopy. After putting weight in the nose, the fuselage mates very well with almost no filler required.  I already mentioned the wing and once that and the tailplanes are attached, it is time for the undercarriage.  There is a boxed in and detailed wheelwell that is quite satisfactory for this scale.  The gear themselves are good representations of the Skyhawk's spindly-looking but sturdy legs and the wheels have good detail as well.  Gear doors are admirably thin and there is a full underwing load of a centerline fuel tank, outer rocket pods and inner Zuni rocket pods.  Finishing off the kit is a nice refueling probe and twin 20mm gun barrels.  All in all a very pleasant and appealing building experience.

As for the camouflage scheme, there are a number of aftermarket decals sheets available, but I used those that came in the kit. I chose VMA-311's markings on a Gull Grey and White aircraft.  The decals worked quite well, even the red and yellow tail stripes and the cat leaning up against them on the tail.  The upper wing has a large number of vortex generators on it and with a little help from Solvaset, the decals snuggled down over them nicely.

A very nice kit that is highly recommended.