1/48 scale TA-4J Aggressor Skyhawk this quarter

[FlyNavy]

www.hyperscale.com/what's.htm 4 April, 2008

"In a surprise move, Jules Bringuier has announced the Classic Airframes' "Scooter Project". Classic Airframes will be releasing a 1/48 scale TA-4J Aggressor Skyhawk this quarter. Considering how quickly the recent Classic Airframes Baltimores, Blenheims and others have sold out, pre-orders might be a good idea for Scooter fans. An image of Jerry Boucher's striking box art may be seen on Classic Airframes' Forthcoming Releases page."

www.classicairframes.com/newproducts.htm

[mumbles]

Is it just me or does that intake look a little odd?

Seems Classic have paid attention to the years of clamour in the market for a new T-bird moulding.

Should be cool ;D

[Craig Sargent]

Given that the eventual RRP will not give much change from $100, and quality be be just okay, I'm happy to wait for Hasegawa to give us one.

[mumbles]

Yeah, good point I hadn't thought of that!

[Dave Homewood]

Fujimi makes a reasonable T-birdmodel in 1/48th. I'm surprised Classic Airframes is going towards the mainstream and mundane, they should stick to interesting previously unkitted 1/48th British stuff like they're good at.

[FlyNavy]

mumbles, One thing that stands out in the illustration above is that the lighting for the rear of the canopy/metal fuselage does not match the lighting on the fuselage and elsewhere; so it does look 'odd' where the intake top meets the fuselage behind the canopy. Is that what you mean?

[mumbles]

sinbad said:

mumbles, One thing that stands out in the illustration above is that the lighting for the rear of the canopy/metal fuselage does not match the lighting on the fuselage and elsewhere; so it does look 'odd' where the intake top meets the fuselage behind the canopy. Is that what you mean?

I was referring to the curvature of the intake opening; rather than being a constant radius it looks flattened at the top. Just doesn't look right! ;D

[mumbles]

admin said:

Fujimi makes a reasonable T-birdmodel in 1/48th. I'm surprised Classic Airframes is going towards the mainstream and mundane, they should stick to interesting previously unkitted 1/48th British stuff like they're good at.

Currently there is a hole in the market for this subject Dave.
I haven't built one personally, but from what I have seen and heard the Fujimi kit is somewhat flawed in terms of scale and accuracy.

[FlyNavy]

mumbles, [your's is a] fair comment:

[phil]

Apparently the Fujimi one is closer to 1/50.

And given the image is pretty clearly CG, not surprising that it's a bit off.

[Calum]

talon said:

Given that the eventual RRP will not give much change from $100, and quality be be just okay, I'm happy to wait for Hasegawa to give us one.

If I knew they were actually going to do one I'd probably do the same.

Ordering form Sprue Bros including post here price would be in the $75 range. Not to bad for CA kit. Still expensive though

[Calum]

mumbles said:

sinbad said:

mumbles, One thing that stands out in the illustration above is that the lighting for the rear of the canopy/metal fuselage does not match the lighting on the fuselage and elsewhere; so it does look 'odd' where the intake top meets the fuselage behind the canopy. Is that what you mean?

I was referring to the curvature of the intake opening; rather than being a constant radius it looks flattened at the top. Just doesn't look right! ;D

Yeah bad CGI

[silverfox]

Given the general fit issues of CAs kits, I won't be holding my breath for one. Hasegawa will bring one out eventally.

[Dave Homewood]

Here's a review of the kit now on Hyperscale
www.hyperscale.com/2008/reviews/kits/ca4147reviewbg_1.htm

[FlyNavy]

Is this a new model?: www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=CF4148



Subject: TA-4J Skyhawk 1/48Scale Manufacturer: Classic Airframes
Stock No: CF4148 Type: Aircraft Models

Description: Douglas-built carrier-capable attack aircraft - dedicated trainer variant. Kit features recessed panel lines, intake trunking, drop tanks and injection-molded canopy. Also includes resin parts - cockpits, ejection seats, wheel wells, wheels, flaps, IDF modifications and additional details.
Decals and color painting reference for 4 aircraft:
Israeli Air Force No 145, Valley Squadron, 1969.
USN VC-1 'Unique Antiquers', NAS Barber's Point, March 1977.
USN VF-126, US Bicentennial scheme, NAS Miramar, fall 1976.
USN Blue Angels No 7, 1978 season.

[silverfox]

It's just another boxing of the basic kit, with some extra bits for and Isreali aircraft and the acmi pod deleted.


I have buckled under internal pressure and ordered one of them, now all I want to know is what are the differences between the TA-4J and TA-4K.

[FlyNavy]

Thanks for explanation about 'decal' update to model.

The differences varied for several reasons. The TA-4Js built as TA-4Js differed from the TA-4Fs refurbished/rebuilt/remodelled as TA-4Js and because of this these TA-4FJs could have many differences to the standard TA-4J. Make sense? The external differences could be:

TA-4J carried a stbd gun only (or none because it could be removed)
TA-4J never had an avionics hump
TA-4J had a straight refuelling probe.
(You can see that the TA-4K could have both depending on the time frame.)
TA-4J did not have a drag chute
TA-4J has TA-4E/F/G rounded tail top

The cockpit differences would be minor I think (apart from KAHU updated TA-4K).

Probably there are more (unseen) differences but these came to mind as external ones. I'll check. It just occured to me that the VC-1 TA-4 pictured is a TA-4F (I don't believe the J model was around during the life of the paint scheme depicted). Minor detail only from outside.

[FlyNavy]