A-4H Israeli Skyhawk
Conversions in 1/48 & 1/32 Scales

Cutting Edge Modelworks

Reviewed by Dave Williams

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Some of the more popular variants of the A-4 Skyhawk have been those used by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Israel used two unique single-seat versions of the Skyhawk, the A-4H and the A-4N, as well as a number of ex-USN A-4E and A-4F aircraft provided by the US to make up for wartime losses. Battle tested; the IDF’s A-4s have undergone a number of modifications in order to keep them viable attack platforms over their 30+ years of service, even after the procurement of later aircraft such as the Kfir and F-16.

Available in both 1/32 and 1/48 scale, these new conversions from Cutting Edge are designed to be used on the Hasegawa A-4E/F kits to make the initial version used by the IDF, the A-4H.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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Molded in CE’s now-standard grey resin, all the parts are crisply rendered and defect free. Both of the sets include the following parts:

• The extended tailpipe fitted to all IDF A-4s after the 1973 Yom-Kippur War to reduce the aircraft’s vulnerability to ground-launched IR guided missiles.

• Two 30mm DEFA cannon, each consisting of a barrel (hollowed out at one end) and the associated underwing fairing.

• Fuselage hump containing the “Crystal” weapons delivery and navigation system avionics package. This is the first version of the hump used on A-4Hs and is externally similar to the one fitted to US A-4s. Late in life, the avionics fairing was modified with the addition of an air intake and exhaust port on the right side as used on the A-4N.

• Underfuselage braking parachute fairing.

• Elisra radar-warning receivers (RWR) for the underside of the nose and the sides of the tail.

• Rectangular blade antennas.

• Large right side mid-fuselage air intake used on aircraft upgraded with the J52-P-408 engine. Note that the modification included the fitting of wider air intakes. These are not included in the set and will require the purchase of Cutting Edge’s A-4F “Superfox” conversions (CEC32065 or CEC 48316)

In addition, the 1/32 scale set contains the following items:

• Squared off tail fin

• Triangular blade antenna.

• Plugs for the original 20mm cannon positions.

• Although not in the preview copy I have, after talking with Scott Battistoni from Meteor Productions, an addendum part will be added in the form of twin underfuselage flare/chaff dispensers.

These items are not needed in the 1/48 scale conversion as the necessary parts are in the donor kit.

IDF Skyhawks underwent a series of modifications during their service life which changed the external appearance of the aircraft. The final configuration of the A-4H was quite different from the first aircraft delivered in December of 1967.

As initially ordered, the A-4H was a slightly modified and downgraded A-4F. Externally, the avionics hump was not fitted, a braking parachute was added under the tail, and the top of the vertical stabilizer was squared off at the front with a small antenna added on top.

Like the A-4F, the A-4H was powered by the Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8A engine and the initial A-4Hs delivered retained the 20mm cannon armament. The aircraft also had the straight refueling probe, which remained unchanged throughout the aircraft’s IDF service.

The addition of all these modifications brought the original A-4H up to the standard of the later A-4N. In addition, IDF A-4Fs were similarly modified to –N standards.

The A-4Es received the gun, tailpipe, braking parachute, and self-protection mods, but not the new engine or the avionics package (many had the avionics hump when delivered, however this was empty and was eventually removed in most cases). By the 1980s, nearly all of the single seat A-4s had been upgraded and were very similar externally. Only close examination of features like the fin tip (the -E/F aircraft retained their curved fin tip), canopy and windscreen (different on the –N), and serial number allows the modeler to positively identify the aircraft model.

This is an excellent conversion set for those wanting to make an Israeli Skyhawk from the Hasegawa kits. The modeler can use as few or as many of the parts as needed to model a specific era A-4H. Serious IDF fans should consider also picking up the new Isradecals book on the A-4 as a companion to help you model a specific Skyhawk.

Review sample kindly provided by Meteor Productions.


Dave Williams
IPMS/USA 19050
 

Cutting Edge Modelworks products are available from Meteor Productions Website

Review Copyright © 2001 by Dave Williams
Page Created 26 December, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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