Subject: Re: Submission for ARCAIR: - Airfix+Fujimi Skyhawks 1/72 duo (Please release it as soon as you can, thanks)
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Alessandro Cimenti" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2014 11:48:03 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Alessandro Cimenti 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 9:30 AM
  Subject: Submission for ARCAIR: - Airfix+Fujimi Skyhawks 1/72 duo (Please release it as soon as you can, thanks)

  "1/72 Airfix + Fujimi FAA A-4B Skyhawks duo" 

  by "Alex Cimenti - CimaleX"

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  Hi gents, here I am again, after some time.

  I recently finished an FAA Skyhawk research with the modelling/repainting of a total amount of 5 argentine air forces Skyhawks (A-4B, A-4C, A-4Q) that fought during the Falklands/Malvinas conflict in 1982.

  The A-4Bs of this article, were bulit from two different marks, the recent kit from Airfix, and the rather older but still n°1 Fujimi kit. The two models differ in many aspects as you can see finally from the photos, but I have to say that I was more than satisfied despite the little differences in shape and dimensions of some details, the quality of both is pretty good, with some advantage gained by the japanese kit.

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  I did not used any aftermarket product except from bombs and decals, I had to replace some little parts of the kits with scracthbuilt details (eg. ejectable seat parts, arresting hook, antennaes, pitot tube and little more...) and used finally a mix of Airfix, Extradecals and Superscale decals.

  Humbrol enamels and handmade mask were used for painting.

  The construction was quite easy, both Fujimi and Airfix did a great work putting easy instructions for a relatively little and easy to build model.

  The real aircraft: Both examples belonged to 5 Grupo Caza-bombardeo (5th Fighter-bomber Group) nicknamed "Los Halcones" (The Hawks) and were employed with success during the Falklands/Malvinas war.

  C-225 (A-4B/P Skyhawk - msn n°11865 ex US Navy BuAer 142803) was reconditioned by Douglas to the argentine FAA in March 1967, survived the war and was deactivated on 15th March 1999. 

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  She wore tactical ID yellow stripes, the Skyhawks' stripes were ordered painted on April 28th and then ordered removed on May 24th because ineffective in visula ID. They consisted of bands on the upper and lower outer wings (they did not extend to the tips) and slim, basically vertical, bands on both tail sides. On A-4Bs, they were removed by overpainting them dark brown on the upper surfaces and light blue on the undersides (very similar to the original colour). 
  This particular aircraft participated in the sinking of HMS Coventry during 25th May 1982.

  The other example C-240 (A-4B/P Skyhawk - msn n°11917 ex US Navy BuAer 142855) was reconditioned by Douglas to the argentine FAA in April 1970, survived the war and was deactivated during April 1993, now it is preserved at an argentine air force museum.

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  The camo pattern of dark hearth and brownish green is the same of the other Skyhawk, but has the yellow ID stripes removed (or faded) typical of the period that followed 28th May, the aircraft participated at several raids against the Royal Navy ships and land forces on the islands.

  The two examples show not only differences in the pattern, but also different weapons load.

  1 x Mk17 (1000 lbs pounder or "bombola") for C-225, 3 x 225kg EXPALs in a TER rack for C-240.

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  Both models sport C-5 Crest and a yellow ship silhouette in the nose.

  Standard stencil in spanish language were reduced to minimum, roundel were applied only on fuselage sides, fin flash on the tail, codes on the nose and close the exhaust cone, my intention was to represent both aircraft as seen during May 1982, but in different periods. Note the heavily faded colours. The aircraft also featured heavy paint chipping in the places were the ground crew and equipment contacted the plane. 

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  The final pic show a warpaint with my C-225 model, bombing naval targets during the conflict.

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  Happy modelling to everyone!

  "Alex Cimenti - CimaleX"