The
Monogram OA-4M is a classic kit and one of the first I built when I started in
the hobby; some areas are a bit large for scale and others inaccurate but
overall it looks like a Skyhawk, that's all that matters to me. I dug this
one out of the stash one day and decided to do something different rather than
the tactical paint scheme as per the box top and decal set; I found a picture on
Airliners.net of a camouflaged bird assigned to Headquarters and Maintenance
Squadron 32, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point NC. That meant that I
would have to print my own decals as the light gray kit decals would not work.
Click on
images below to see larger images
I
built the Skyhawk mostly OOB; the tail mounted pitot is not very accurate
so I replaced with one from a Hasegawa A-4 kit. I also borrowed a
nose gear antenna from the Hasegawa since the Monogram kit's nose gear
door doesn't have one. I used a KMC intake set, not that you can
tell from the photos, though! I replaced the ill shaped canopy
support with a paper clip cut to size; not only is it close to scale
thickness but there was no need to paint it silver! I painted the
kit with Testors enamels, Engine Gray FS36076, Green FS34079 and the
bottom is Camouflage Gray FS36622. My reference photo appears to
show the Skyhawk in a camouflage pattern similar to the AV-8B so I
modified it to the A-4's profile since it has a low wing instead of the
Harrier's high wing. I washed and blow dried the kit prior to
spraying with clear gloss lacquer for a smooth surface as preparation
for decals.
I
scanned the kit decals into my computer and changed the BuNo to reflect my
reference photo, 154306; 4306 started life as a TA-4F prior to being reworked by
NARF Pensacola and becoming one of 23 OA-4M models. I printed off most of
the markings on an Experts' Choice blank decal sheet; the DA tail code was
printed on a Micromark sheet. All printing was done on my Canon 3200
series laser printer. I also used decals from a Fightertown Decals TA-4J
sheet on the landing gear and doors as well as the ejection seats; the seat
decals were tough to attach since the seats were already installed!
I
overcoated with dullcote, then went to work weathering with water colors,
chalks and art pencils; the weathering is more extensive than the pictures show,
though. While a camera may appear to add 10 pounds it also appears to make
weathering disappear! I attached the drop tanks and pylons after cutting
off their attachment points, drilling holes and inserting lengths of paper clip
in order to strengthen the attachment points and avoid breaking off the nubs
that qualify as attachments. To finish this off, I had to paint the red
around the perimeter of the gear doors with a sharpie marker! It's nice to
have a Monogram scooter back in the collection; pretty soon it'll be joined by a
Hasegawa TA-4! The Monogram is still fun to work on so get into your
stash!
Max
Tollens Jr.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|