The 50th Anniversary gold Skyhawk - Help Please

[Dave Homewood]

Can all the modellers out there please let me know exactly what is available on the market for building a model of the 1986-87 Gold Skyhawk from the RNZAF's 50th Anniversary?

Which are the best kitsets available to make the TA-4K in 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/32nd? Is there a 1/144th or other scale kits?

Who makes decals? And what is good and bad about them?
What scales are made and currently available of the decals?

Who makes the smaller 150 gallon fuel tanks in the different scales?

Which paint product makes an accurate representation of the colour worn?

And lastly, can everyone who has modelled the aircraft and who would like to have their model exhibited on a new webpage dedicated to the history of the aircraft (with a modelling tips section) please send me photos via my email [e-mail] - please make them 700 pixels wide if you can).

The new webpage is coming together nicely but I need your help with the model section - thanks.

[mumbles]

The one I used, and probably the best in 1/72 would be the Fujimi TA-4J (Kit number F25).

You can't build a K out of the box; at the least you will need to square the fin-tip, and find a cranked refuelling probe from somewhere, as you only get the straight one in the kit, which I modified. On the plus side, you do get a brake parachute housing, so you won't have to scrounge one.

Hasegawa at least has a 1/72 TA-4, which I think was most lately released as an OA-4M. I have never seen one so I cannot say if it is any good or not, but it would be a pretty old moulding by now.

The decal set I used is the Model Alliance set MAS 729006. Not perfect, has a couple of accuracy issues, but good enough. Also released in 1/48.

The 150 gallon tanks I raided from the Hasegawa 1:72 F-9 Cougar kit. I believe, but don't know for certain, that you can find them in some Skyraider kits as well.

In 1/48 there is the ew Classic Airframes TA-4J, as well as the Kiwi Resins conversion for the Hasegawa Kit. I think there is also a Monogram kit in 1/48, but probably not easy to find.

I think Hasegawa did a 1/32 TA-4 as well, but I don't know how easy it would be to track one down.

I can send some pictures and notes if you want. Most of what I have said is already on a thread here.

[silverfox]

Miumbles has it spot on I think.

The New Classic TA-4 wil need a new fin top and angled refueling probe.

I don't know of any 150 Gallon tanks in 1/48th scale.

The Model Alliance Decals were a limited run ( 250 sets I belive in each scale) so they may be hard to source.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks guys. t may have been said before but I really want it all nice and concise and in one place so with everyone's permission I can uplift it and put the info onto a new webpage that I have been compiling with the assistance of Glen Turner, Don Simms and Steve Jenks all about this aircraft. There will be a modelling section on the page.

I built one in 1/48th when I was at Woodbourne and I recall as I had very limited tools in barracks at that time I bought a spray can of gold paint (you know, the grafitti type) at a garage, and sprayed it. I think it was the Fujimi kit. It actually came up great and I got some decals in town - this was 1989 so i don't know if it's the same set that everyone uses now. The decals were not exactly right and I think the scroll was missing, it was really just stripes and roundels and maybe stars? I can't recall. When i left Woody Valley I gave it to a mate there who greatly admired it. I thought it'd get broken in my kitbag otherwise.

So as you can see, my limited experience makes me no expert. I'd like to model it again someday, maybe in 1/32nd.

[skyhawkdon]

150 Gal drop tanks in 1/48 scale are available here:

www.redroomodels.com/conversions.php?conversion=448

I haven't seen them so can't comment on their accuracy. Anyone else seen them?

[Craig Sargent]

Have a set of them for my model, which is being built from the Hasegawa 1/48 A-4E with the front section from a Monogram OA-4M (the CA kit will be easier to do, but has some issues which need addressing for any TA-4, as well as a TA-4K). There is a thread here somewhere with my progress (stalled for now as other projects take precedence).

The Red Roo tanks come in two parts, the main body and the tail fins. The tail fins are a poor copy of the Hasegawa ones with an oval cross section which is about 1.5 - 2mm too tall, but correct width. I binned them and used a set from the Hasegawa Skyhawk mated to the Red Roo bodies (which are quite nidely done).

In 1/72, don't bother with anything other than the Fujimi kits. The Hasegawa kit has dimension errors (as well as raised panel lines - if that is your thing then no problem there).

There is still a 1/48 TA-4 on the way from Japan (but don't have a date).

As previously mentioned there are a few issues with the MA decals. I'll be replacing some with ALPS printed decals when I finally get mine underway again.

In 1/72 the 150 gallon tanks are in the Academy OV-10s IIRC.

I have the IPMS NZ journal at home with colour chips in it of the actual paint used, and a three view colour scheme, which I can scan and supply with the author's permission. The paints were not Mil Std (i.e. FS matches) as they were all locally mixed by Dulon IIRC.

[FlyNavy]

Is this page at this URL any help?

www.geocities.com/redkiwi.geo/skyhawk_gold.htm

& I gather this would be an RNZAF Museum pic now (can't remember the rools):

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for the info everyone. I will try to piece something together, and when it goes publicly online you can all pick it to bits and send corrections.

Is there a 1/32 scale TA-4 at all?

[skyhawkdon]

Aug 5, 2008 14:21:32 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Thanks for the info everyone. I will try to piece something together, and when it goes publicly online you can all pick it to bits and send corrections.

Is there a 1/32 scale TA-4 at all?

Yes, Hasegawa made a standard TA-4J and a Hi-Grade Collectors Series OA-4M which are available second hand on trade me and ebay occasionally. I have a Hi-Grade OA-4M waiting to be built and converted into a TA-4K.

I don't think anyone has produced a gold Skyhawk decal set for 1/32 tho?

[Craig Sargent]

I got given an OA-4M the other day, which is the TA-4 kit with some white metal and photo-etched parts added to allow for all the lumps and bumps and differences of the OA variant.

[Freighter5910]

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