A-4M Skyhawk VMA-214 Blacksheep

AIRCRAFT

SCALE & KIT

1/48 Hasegawa kit + Eduard cockpit set

MODELER

Ukrit Sawatdeenu

HISTORY

The A-4M was a version of the Skyhawk specifically designed to fulfill a Marine Corps requirement for an attack aircraft which could fly close air support from short air strips close to the front lines. It was selected over the Ling-Temco-Vought A-7.

The A-4M was powered by a new version of the J52 engine, the J52-P-408, rated at 11,200 lb.s.t, which was 20 percent more powerful that the earlier J52-P-8A. The higher thrust of this engine markedly improved the short-field performance. The new engine was only one percent heaver and had no increase in specific fuel consumption. In addition, smokeless burner cans were installed to reduce the amount of visible engine exhaust. In addition, a self-contained engine starter was provided, and the electrical power generating capacity was increased by 60 percent.

The A-4M also featured a larger cockpit canopy to improve pilot visibility, especially toward the rear. A windshield similar to that used on the trainer version was installed, and the canopy was 3 inches wider.

A ribbon-type drag chute was installed underneath the engine tailpipe, similar to that on the A-4K and A-4K. This helped to slow the aircraft after touchdown, making it possible for the aircraft to operate from short airstrips.

The A-4M was fitted with a revised refuelling probe which canted out to starboard to precent interference with a wider-angle target acquisition system..

A new squared-off tip to the vertical tail was introduced, the reason for the change being the installation af an IFF antenna.

MODEL REVIEW

1/48 A-4M VMA-214 Blacksheep (Hasegawa kit + Eduard cockpit set+ True detail resin ejection seat )

This Hasegawa A-4M kit is good fit and easy to build. Modeler added more cockpit detail by Eduard cockpit set and resin ejection seat from True details.