1:144 Douglas A-4E Skyhawk

Eduard 1:144 Douglas A-4E Skyhawk: photo-etched set

A set of photo-etched parts intended to refine a model of the A-4E Skyhawk carrier attack aircraft in 1:144 scale. It is not a kit: the package holds thin metal parts that replace or supplement details that cannot be molded finely enough in plastic at so small a scale. Typically these are cockpit elements, small panels, lugs and grilles. The maker is Eduard of the Czech Republic, from Obrnice near Most, which has worked on photo-etching since its beginnings.

The real subject

The A-4 Skyhawk was a light carrier attack aircraft with a delta wing, deliberately designed so small that it needed no folding surfaces and fitted onto deck elevators without modification. The combination of low weight, simplicity and a decent load earned it a long career with the US Navy and the Marine Corps and with a number of foreign operators. The A-4E version received a more powerful jet engine and an increased number of pylons, which made it a markedly more capable machine than the early variants.

Building tips

Photo-etched parts in 1:144 scale are genuinely tiny, so work over a light-colored surface and with a magnetic or walled tray so that the cut parts do not get lost. Separate the parts with a sharp scalpel on a hard surface, and never break them out. Make the folds in a bending tool or between two blades so that the edge comes out straight. They are glued with cyanoacrylate applied on a pin in a minimal amount, or with thin varnish on parts that carry no load. Before painting, degrease the metal and spray a base coat, otherwise the finish will rub off during handling.

Who the set is for

• modelers looking for detail in a small scale comparable to larger models
• builders of contemporary and Cold War carrier aircraft in 1:144 scale
• more experienced modelers used to working with tweezers and a magnifier

This is a set of accessories, not a model. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.