Colourful Scooter: 1/48th Monogram OA-4M Skyhawk

Here is another old Monogram model kit from 1985. Considering the inexpensive price that these Skyhawk kits can be found at, this 1/48th Monogram OA-4M Skyhawk still builds up into a respectable model (if you can deal with the raised panel lines). The double seat Scooters also have a distinct look to them, which is a nice addition to the collection of A-4s.

Notable Kit Features:

• Decent cockpit detail

• Seated pilot figures included

• Open canopy option (2-piece canopy)

• Good overall shape and dimensions

• Basic option to drop the slats and flaps

• Good gear and well details

• Optional speed brake positions

• Lots of weapons stores and tanks
  

Build Inspiration:

I have always liked the A-4 Skyhawk and had yet to build a two-seater version, so I finally moved this kit to the top of the build list to check one more off the list. Greater inspiration came when it was time to head to the paint shop and I couldn't bare to paint yet another grey on grey aircraft for the collection... so this one ended up with fictitious "Aggressor" markings. The best paint job (IMHO) that "The Outlaws" never had. ;)

Heads-Up Report:

• Ejection seats curtain pull could be replaced with wire to improve look and scale

• Fit of parts is decent however some filler required

• Sprue spreaders may be required at bottom of fuselage to improve fuselage to wing join

• Plastic card strip used to fill gap on underside where wing and fuselage join

• Raised panel lines (in this case I kept mine intact)

• Canopy is somewhat thick so there is some visible distortion

Kit Additions / Modifications:

• Used plastic card at rear cockpit to cover gap between fuselage

• Added interior fuselage blocker card to prevent see-through aspect from intake to exhaust

• Added nose weight (so I could dispense with the clear tail prop-up piece)

• Thinned down flaps to remove ejection pin marks as well
  

Finishing:

The "Aggressor" paint scheme for this aircraft was a custom mix of paints that I put together as I liked the way they combined for my "Desert Lake Mongoose'. Pretty much a French Blue / Slate / Dark Sea Gray that allowed the original kit decals to still show nicely. I varied the paint tones as I sprayed to give it a slightly weathered appearance. After allowing at least 1-day for the paint to cure, I sprayed on a Future/Pledge gloss coat. After allowing at least 1-day for the gloss to cure, decals followed and a bit of panel wash. When that had all set the final light coat of Model Master Flat was sprayed on.

The After-Build Report:

I like the way this project turned out and will still recommend this 1/48th Monogram OA-4M Skyhawk kit to anyone looking for a budget model build that looks good with a bit of effort but doesn't cause a lot of grief.

I have since picked up a two-seater TA-4J model (by Classic Airframes #4147) that is likely to be a bit of a challenge to construct, as well as a Hasegawa version, both of which will likely sport different "Aggressor" Skyhawk colour schemes. The Hasegawa's A-4 kits are the best I have seen, however they didn't do the OA-4M (but do try their C, E, F or J).

Completed build #197 - October 2016 using the 1/48th scale Monogram #5436 kit.

Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is suppose to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers