OA-4M-144scale-03-LeftWing-SlatsUp

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single seat carrier-capable attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later by McDonnell Douglas. The first A-4A rolled out for engine run-up in February 1954 and the last A-4M was accepted by the Navy in February 1979, the 2960th A-4 produced.  Twenty-three TA-4Fs were converted to the OA-4M designation for FastFAC (Fast Forward Air Controller) missions in the Vietnam War.  Basically, the OA-4M was a TA-4F equipped with A-4M electronics.

This 1/144 scale model of the OA-4M Skyhawk features 40 parts and was designed to provide the modeler with multiple options for displaying the model.  Wings are provided in the slats up and slats down positions.  Gear are provided both extended, for displaying the model taking off or landing, and compressed, for displaying the model on the deck, and gear doors are provided for displaying the model in-flight with gear up.  Arresting hooks are provided in the down and up positions and speed brakes are provided closed or engaged.  Both straight and bent aerial refueling probes are provided, but the airframe was designed for the straight probe. The canopy may be modeled open or closed with a single piece for displaying it closed, and two pieces for displaying it open.  Payload includes two AGM-12 Bullpup missiles, two AGM45A Shrike missiles, two single Mk82 500lb bombs, two 3-packs of Mk82’s, a 6-pack of MK82’s, two 200 gallon fuel tanks, and a 450 gallon fuel tank.  A file containing decals to fit the model is available upon request.  Other variants of the A-4, including the A-4E, A-4F, A-4F “Blue Angel”, A-4M, and TA-4F, are also available.