I always get excited when I receive a 1/144 model
kit from Platz
Hobby. You actually get 2 complete kits in this one box.
This latest kit is the A-4F Skyhawk complete with recessed panel lines, drop
tanks, weapon pylons, 3 decal options, finely detailed landing gear, separate
ejection seat and much more.
The canopy and windshield are a one piece
affair, so if you want to pose this model with an open canopy you have 2
choices. Use an Xacto knife and carefully cut the windscreen apart from
the rest of the canopy.......or just cut grind/sand/file away the unwanted parts
from the 2 canopies included in this kit. Yes you actually get 2 kits in
this one box......so if you are willing to sacrifice the second kit to have an
open canopy on your model, then this is an option.
The cockpit is pretty simple and
includes a nicely done ejection seat. You even get a refueling probe with
lovely detail on the end of the probe. This jet has some great markings
that will be the focus of attention when it is finished.
Click on
images below to see larger images
There is 2 drop tanks with each kit,
but no weapons to mount on the weapons pylons that are included with the
kits. One item that really stood out when I was looking at the sprues is
the tiny engine exhaust......pretty impressive detail for a 1/144th scale kit.
Another area that is loaded with
detail is the always important landing gear legs and wheels. I was quite
surprised by the high level of detail on the landing gear legs and wheels.
The decals include markings for 3
different aircraft.....including two Lady Jessie jets with VA-164 "Ghost
Riders" in 1969 and 1972 and one jet from VA-153 "Blue Tail
Flies" with gorgeous blue and white sun burst stripes covering the entire
tail. Platz did a wonderful job selecting some very appealing
marking schemes.
-
A-4 Skyhawk "Lady
Jessie" Bu No 155022 VA-164 Ghost Riders in 1969
-
A-4 Skyhawk "Lady
Jessie" Bu No 155018 VA-164 Ghost Riders in 1972
-
A-4 Skyhawk Bu No 155022 VA-153
"Blue tail Flies" in 1969
The decals are excellent quality and
in register and include stencils for all 3 aircraft. All
parts are packed in separate bags to protect the smaller more delicate parts.
1/144 models are a blast to build
out of the box and I guarantee you will enjoy building in this tiny scale and if
you are crazy enough to try.......I've seen some stunning detailing in 1/144
scale. If you have never built a 1/144 model then you should definitely
give them a try.
Steve
Check out http://www.platz-hobby.com/
for this and other fine products. I'd like to thank Platz
for the review sample......this kit is made in Japan and the high quality
is evident throughout this tiny model kit.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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