Magic Factory 1/48 A4M Skyhawk, New Plastic Model Kits. 1/700 painted USS Ford Deck.

#plasticmodelkits #plasticmodels #modelairplane #modelairplanes
#scalemodels
History of the A-4 Skyhawk: A Simple Design with a Storied Past
The A-4 Skyhawk was a single-seat, subsonic attack aircraft designed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the early 1950s. Developed by Douglas Aircraft Company (later McDonnell Douglas), the Skyhawk was a breath of fresh air compared to the increasingly complex and expensive jets of the era.
Design Philosophy: Small, Light, and Deadly
Created by Ed Heinemann, the A-4 prioritized simplicity and affordability. Unlike its contemporaries, the Skyhawk had a small delta wing that eliminated the need for a heavy folding mechanism for carrier storage. Engineers also focused on reducing weight by minimizing cockpit components and redesigning the ejection seat. This resulted in a compact, lightweight aircraft with a surprising punch.
From Drawing Board to Workhorse: The A-4's Rise
The A-4 replaced the propeller-driven Skyraider and quickly earned nicknames like "Scooter" and "Heinemann's Hot-Rod" for its agile handling. Early models like the A-4A lacked radar and refueling capabilities but could carry a substantial payload, including nuclear weapons. Later variants addressed these limitations and added features like an improved engine and radar.
Vietnam and Beyond: A Star is Born
The A-4 truly came into its own during the Vietnam War. The Skyhawk's ability to operate from aircraft carriers and land on short runways made it ideal for close air support missions. Despite its small size, the A-4 could carry a significant amount of ordnance, making it a valuable asset in the conflict.
The Skyhawk also saw action in conflicts like the Yom Kippur War and Operation Peace for the Galilee with the Israeli Air Force. It even served as a trainer for the Blue Angels aerobatic team for a period.
A Legacy of Simplicity and Effectiveness
The A-4 Skyhawk was retired from U.S. service in the late 2000s, but it remains in operation with several air forces around the world. The Skyhawk's legacy is one of simplicity, effectiveness, and pilot adoration. Its design philosophy continues to influence military aircraft design today.
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[@Yardbird68]

I think the pre-painted deck is a good idea, not only does it save time, but saves the worry of MISTAKES, when applying the decals. Especially as long as they would be in length and trying to get everything to lineup , without breaking or cracking the decal. I would go the pre-painted route myself. Thanks Andy!

[@zacklewis342]

By that logic you should just buy a whole pre-made model.

[@Yardbird68]

@@zacklewis342 Nope, there is STILL a lot to be assembled plastic wise. Besides, we are Only talking about the top deck. Even though, it is pre -painted the MAIN and ONLY thing is NOT having to install the decals, THAT'S it. The pre-painted deck would STILL be needing weathering effects. So your "logic" to buy a whole pre-made model is no logic at all.

[@andrewseo1891]

You’ll still have to assemble and paint the rest of the ship, so the fun is still there. Also as someone who needs to juggle a job and family life, along with a hobby, anything that reduces the workload is welcome.

[@chrisc5275]

I saw the Skyhawk in the flesh at the Malcom Model Show in Penang Malaysia at the weekend. It looks absolutely fantastic!

[@doehunter]

I really like the A4 Skyhawk. It was the work horse in the Vietnam war. I will definitely buy it.

[@spinsqiggle]

That A-4M Skyhawk kit is simply amazing! Photo etch, chrome mirrors, metal pitot tube, Cartograf decals, canopy masks and counter weights! Positional everything, including the horizontal stabilizers! Seat belts for the seat. Accurate weapons loadout. Avionics and engine detail, its got it all. This kit will be a real show stopper! It eclipses the Hasegawa kit, making that redundant now. Good job Magic Factory!

[@zacklewis342]

The exterior detail is overdone and the nose is a mess. Hasegawa still on top.

[@cdpgbc-mw2kz]

@@zacklewis342 What is wrong with the nose.

[@thatonelithuanian]

​@@zacklewis342What are you talking about the detail is perfectly done just the right amount of visability, and I don't know whats wrong with the nose for you

[@user-cf3vr8yt8j]

@@thatonelithuanian I have seen the parts in the flesh and the rivetting is definitely way overdone, not fitting for a Skyhawk in 1:48 (1:32 maybe...) and very distracting.

[@rubensandri740]

Wow , lovely plane, cheers from Uruguay.

[@laordendethule]

Los piratas se acuerdan bien del A4.

[@antonytwyman9090]

The USS Gerald Ford deck is exceptional. I'd like to see the painted decks for other ships. Still allows for weathering if needed.

[@evilfingers4302]

Awesome, a childhood favorite, I built a 1/48 Navy version from Monogram that was based on the USS Enterprise CVN 65 during the Vietnam War.

[@andrewdeboer7435]

The positionable horizontal stabilizer is a great addition. Same with the separate nose wheel and the engine detail parts. They can keep the vinyl tires. The ordnance and tanks are not at all revolutionary, but they are in the box so that’s good. I will be interested to see how all of these modular parts fit together.

[@IHVA-ir9gp]

I was aboard the Ford when she was building at NNSB. Look forward to seeing the full kit. Thanks for the video

[@scottbuildsthemall5124]

The pre-painted flight deck seems like a nice option for those wanting to simplify this build. When I built a kit of the USS Abraham Lincoln I used white and yellow dry transfer lines then painted in the red sections. This was incredibly time consuming, so I may consider this for the USS Gerald R. Ford.

[@douglasang3527]

Good stuffs 👍

[@blueline308]

Wow ! Something that isn't 1:16 scale. Good job.

[@sparky694]

What a beautiful kit of the Scooter! Can't wait for mine to come in the mail

[@chrisstorch1337]

I love the deck. Now I need to go NAVY.

[@buonafortuna8928]

I like the pre done flight deck. All those decals drive me nuts.

[@allgood6760]

Nice one!.. our RNZAF operated Skyhawks and I miss them🇳🇿✈️

[@panzermanful]

Nice

[@AdamWeber-pi1gs]

Very nice, Andy.

[@didierfrenga5101]

SUPERBE maquette .........

[@davidcole333]

The A4 looks terrific. However, id like to see a follow up kit in blue angels livery.

[@markfergerson2145]

I’m of two minds on the pre-painted deck same as I am on things like 3D printed instrument panels. Both save a huge amount of time and the anguish of screwups and trying to fix them, seeking alternatives for torn decals and all. Also I’m old and my eyes aren’t as good at getting tiny details right as they used to. But putting all that effort in to get details right without screwups is part of what draws us to modeling, along with accepting the anguish as a realistic potential outcome. Bottom line is it’s a personal preference- in this case also dependent on how cleanly the physical details like all those tiedowns are represented. I think they’re going to sell well enough that we will see such decks for other ships.

[@clowes123]

Nice video

[@rickgregory9616]

I would like to tackle the Skyhawk. It would be a challenge I would like to try. I also like the pre-painted flight deck. Though I would like to see someone airbrush the details on as that would help me improve my skills in that area.

[@kevincooley3496]

Super. I want one.

[@paulmoore5401]

Andy, I like how you pause to allow viewer to copy a screenshot, but how about moving the camera so that it’s looking straight down?

[@user-fo6ud3zs2o]

..симпатично..

[@dbot9014]

I hope they make a B model Skyhawk

[@juancho420]

I need A-4Bs! Hasegawa hasnt repopped these in years and years

[@zacklewis342]

Hobby 2000 are releasing the Hasegawa B and C right now.

[@juancho420]

@@zacklewis342 great if in Europe. Useless if in the US

[@user-cf3vr8yt8j]

@@juancho420 You know you can order stuff from anywhere in the world, right? And being in the US, your Dollar conversion rate is very favourable and you don't even have to pay tax upon import, as in most other places.

[@henryschmitt7577]

Take more of my money Andy👍😁

[@chrisvandegrift4320]

The A4 looks worth buying. The deck has potential for display. For me it’ll depend on pricing really. Mostly because the shape is just odd for the purpose of a base. Good at home for multiple planes but not so good for the contest table.

[@johnhopper6352]

A4 m looks great in the box. Hope it builds up just as nice.

[@AnthropoidOne]

Andy Andy please…..we need the Victorian Navy!

[@Scarebus_Driver]

Wow that thing makes the Hasegawa P40 look like a dream build. How many parts to get the fuselage together. Having just bought a pile of Hasehawa A4B/C/E's looking at those trench like panel lines ill be happy to stick with them. Do these guys think a Skyhawk is a derivative of the Sherman? I bought the Corsair but i wont pay 3 times the price of the still gorgeous Hasegawa Skyhawks just being old doesnt make them worse compared to this. Over engineered, panel lines are trenches and the prce is 3 times the better detailed competition..no thanks.

[@darrelld.paveyjr.1477]

Who is "Magic Factory"? Where are they from? Great spru call outs, finally good specifics!

[@robertthornton1171]

I'm waiting for the 1/350th kit. Any idea who's going to produce it?

[@loki7441]

Andy those tyres for the A4 look like they might might be fron a 4x4 with the heavy knobbly edges. 😄 I have never seen anything but smooth surface tyres, with straight groved threading around the circumference on aircraft in all my years around them. Do you get a plastic tyre? ITs a fine kit and the A4 an almost forgotton war horse living in the shadow of the Phantom and faster jets. The painted deck is a stroke of genious.

[@cdpgbc-mw2kz]

Resin will take care of the tire issue.

[@user-cf3vr8yt8j]

While maybe not the most common, these tyres were certainly used on the A-4. Do a Google picture search with landing gear/wheel close ups and you wil see them. I'm not a fan of rubber tyres though.

[@jaws062666]

No preorder for the deck?

[@Jay70chevelle]

nice kit, but did you count all those rivits to make sure they are all accounted for?😂😂😂

[@RWHobbies]

Not a fan of the preprinted deck. I think it looks toy like and the lines seem too wide. If they are 2mm wide on the 1/700 model, that puts them about 5ft wide in real life.

[@fedepatagonia]

too bad that doesnt come in the argentinian Malvinas/falkland conflict

[@davepearce6359]

The Belgrano does, deep in the ocean black.

[@juancho420]

@@davepearce6359along with HMS Sheffield, Coventry, Ardent, Antelope, Sir Galahad and Atlantic Conveyer.🤡

[@laordendethule]

A war crimen from the greats privateers of the world . The whole world remember thats. The invincible and others ships too. jeje

[@laordendethule]

ARGENTINA vs todo el imperio ANGLO$IONISTA JUNTO.

[@robjansen4551]

So frustrating... Another A-4 kit with the same error found in all kits. The surface aft of the LE Slats do not have a step/slot but is a smooth contour to the rest of the Wing. The slats are "gravity" operated so they are always extended on the ground (you will find references of museum a/c with them secured up for safety). This is very disappointing. Especially when this looks to be such a nice kit.

[@user-cf3vr8yt8j]

You're wrong. Even though I'm generally not a big fan of the MF kit (too many rivets, too complicated nose breakdown and somewhat questionable nose shape), they did get the slats right. They made a separate slat well insert so you can mount the insert flush with the wing with deploed slats, or mount the slats flush in the "up" position. Early test samples had the slat well step (like Hasegawa) but they improved/corrected this for the produciton kit.

[@robjansen4551]

@@user-cf3vr8yt8j I appreciate the feedback but I worked on A-4s.

[@user-fo6ud3zs2o]

((( набор более продвинут чем hasegawa и hobby-boss )))

[@davesplasticmodelreviewsan8033]

The Skyhawks decals not inspiring, would have been nice to have a Navy example. Watch whole video to see if there may have been a McCain connection. Not really grabbing me. As far as the deck, I feel it robs from effort one takes in model building. Why not make the actual ship a ‘snap tight’. The price is 65.00, pretty steep for 1/48. Never heard of company

[@user-cf3vr8yt8j]

This is an A-4M. It was USMC exclusively. Not used by the USN.

[@davesplasticmodelreviewsan8033]

@@user-cf3vr8yt8j even more of a reason not to build it.

[@nickbroekhuizen8858]

Not a fan of thedeck...defeats the purpose of building your own kit. .. the fun in building a model kit it to create something with your own hands... just my 5c's 😊

[@Lee0568]

Will it be available at your EU store Andy