A-4M Conversion

Cutting Edge Modelworks

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Reviewed by David W. Aungst

I have been working with Meteor Productions for about a year now to help them produce an A-4M conversion in their Cutting Edge resin line for the Hasegawa A-4 Skyhawk kit.

My thrust was to have them create a 1/32nd scale conversion for the big 1/32nd scale Hasegawa A-4E/F kit. Using my research and the rough masters I had completed in 1/32nd scale as a guide, Meteor Productions decided to first put together a 1/48th scale conversion for the newer 1/48th scale Hasegawa A-4E/F kit. Since I generally built mostly 1/48th scale models, I was not going to argue with this.

This review is for the 1/48th scale A-4M conversion. The 1/32nd scale conversion is also coming, but it will not be out until later this year. Big scale modelers will have to wait only a little while longer.

As has been the case in the past with some Cutting Edge sets, the total A-4M conversion is not all contained in one set. It will actually require two sets to make the full A-4M airframe conversion. Optionally, you will need to decide on whether or not you want to get a cockpit update/conversion, meaning you might need a third set for your A-4M conversion.

This splitting up of the sets into multiple releases is due to the fact that some of the components making an A-4M unique are also found in other Skyhawk versions. By dividing up the conversion sets into components, you can mix and match the sets you buy to build the exact Skyhawk you want. To make the full A-4M conversion, you need the following sets:

The "Super Fox" conversion set (CEC48316) provides the needed bulged intakes that were standard on all A-4M Skyhawks. It also provides the "hotdog" antenna for the top of the tail, although this is not present on early A-4M Skyhawks. I am not going to go into any great detail on this set as it has been reviewed in other postings.

The A-4M airframe conversion set (CEC48334, the purpose of this posting) provides all the needed fuselage changes to update the Hasegawa A-4E/F kit to be and A-4M, except for the engine intakes and "hotdog" antenna. See the next section for a detailed look at the pieces of this conversion.

The A-4 cockpit update set (CEC48279) provides an updated cockpit that is a better detailed version of what the Hasegawa kit already has in it. I will not say much more as this, too, has been reviewed in other postings. You would only use this set in an early production A-4M, prior to any upgrades that brought these aircraft up to the later standards. Optionally, you could also just use the Hasegawa kit cockpit in an early production A-4M.

The A-4M late production cockpit update/conversion set (CEC48##1) provides an updated cockpit that includes the enlarged main instrument panel and HUD found on the middle and late production airframes. This set is not yet available, but is expected to be out later this year. This set is optional to your A-4M conversion as not all A-4M Skyhawks had an updated cockpit. You only need this set for a middle or late production A-4M. This set is due to be released sometime shortly after Nationals.

The A-4M late production "Super Mike" landing gear update/conversion set (CEC48##2) provides the minimum requirements to update the wheel well doors and landing gear to build an A-4M "Super Mike" Skyhawk. The last block of A-4M Skyhawks had beefed-up landing gear to support higher gross weights. The revision to the landing gear changed the contours of the lower wing and main wheel well doors. Because of these changes, the last block of A-4M Skyhawks were referred to as "Super Mike" Skyhawks (similar to how the improved A-4F Skyhawks were referred to as "Super Fox" Skyhawks). This set will include replacement wheel well doors, pieces to modify the lower wing to match the new doors, torque link sissors for the bottom of the main landing gear struts, and replacement main wheels. The set will not include replacement main landing gear legs. The difference in the thickness of the legs in 1/48th scale is not enough to matter. This set is due to be released sometime shortly after Nationals.

The A-4M airframe conversion provides eight casting blocks holding ten conversion pieces.

The two largest pieces in the set are the two fuselage side wall inserts to change the shape of the cockpit opening. These pieces are designed to fit into openings in the fuselage that you cut out following the existing panel lines of the Hasegawa kit.

I scored a deep groove along the lower edge of the fuselage conversion pieces by pulling an X-acto knife backwards. I then bend back and snaped free the pieces from their casting blocks. I quick touch from an X-acto flat file trued up the edge and made the pieces ready to use.

I used a Dremel razor saw to hack out the right fuselage area. I cut about 1/32nd of an inch smaller then the intended panel lines. I then used an X-acto file to adjust the cuts to perfectly meet the panel line, dry fitting constantly with the conversion piece to confirm its fit. The piece fits so well that I feel it will need no filler. Gluing from the back side with super glue, the joints will look like the original panel lines of the kit.

With the right side going so well (and fast, about ten minutes), I got cocky and careless on the left side and cut too far down the fuselage on the lower cut. It cost me an hour of playing around to fit the conversion piece into the fuselage without a big gap. I fitted a piece of strip styrene to fill the unwanted gap on the lower edge of the cutout. Read the Cutting Edge instructions and take heed -- "Measure Twice, Cut Once!"

Cut (Left) and Assembled (Right) Fuselage Inserts

Left Side Close-Up (Note White Styrene Strip Used to Fill Unwanted Gap)

Right Side Close-Up

The two close-up pictures show the fit of the "raw" conversion. I have done nothing at this point except apply super glue from the back side. I will lightly sand the joints to even them off a bit and use some Mr. Surfacer to slightly fill the seams. As they are supposed to be panel lines, I do not want to remove the seams, only reduce their size.

Next, you have replacement nose tips with all the A-4M specific bumps and bulges cast onto them. These nose tips pertain to middle and late production A-4Ms. The original early production A-4M aircraft had the same nose as already provided in the Hasegawa kit.

Two pieces are provided, one solid and one clear. It really only was necessary to provide the clear one, but Meteor gives you two. For middle production A-4M aircraft, use either nose and paint the whole nose to match the aircraft's camouflage. For late production A-4M aircraft, use the clear one and mask off the extreme tip of the nose to stay clear. This clear tip will then represent the ARBS camera window.

Next is a casting block with three small pieces cast on it. The outer two pieces are the bulbous antennae that are found on either side of the engine exhaust. These pertain to middle and late production A-4Ms. The original early production A-4M aircraft had the same engine exhaust antennae as already provided in the Hasegawa kit.

The middle piece on this casting block is the APU exhaust pipe. The APU exhaust is found low on the right side of the fuselage, just above the rear end of the aerial refueling pipe fairing, over the wing. It is necessary to cut an appropriately sized hole in the fuselage to accommodate this exhaust pipe.

The true gems of the conversion set are the clear cast resin canopy and windscreen. Once removed from their casting blocks, you will be hard pressed to tell these pieces were not right out of a commercial model kit. There will be no need for any skills relating to the use of vacuum formed canopies in this conversion. In the picture, here, they look a bit clouded, but I can assure you they are thin, clear, and beautiful.

An extra piece I had in the set that forshadows what is to come from Cutting Edge is a strike camera window. While this does not belong on the A-4M, it does go on late A-4Ns and A-4Ks (following their respective improvement programs). Expect more Skyhawk conversions in the Cutting Edge line of products.