Israeli Air Force A-4N, Model Art kit in 1/32

[milenio3]

It is nice to see another Dr. Zarkov's model on the run. They really are great.

And they can be built by novices and experts alike, without a sweat.

Yours is coming great, Isaac.

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by milenio3

It is nice to see another Dr. Zarkov's model on the run. They really are great.

And they can be built by novices and experts alike, without a sweat.

Yours is coming great, Isaac.

I am not sure a novice should attempt this kit. Even in its simplest form, it takes alot of expierience.

Thanks, more building to come.


Isaac

[Isaac]

There are two intakes one on each side. They are assembled as each unit and then glued to the fuselage. Care must be made to fit correctly rear as it is a smooth continuation to the fuselage back..

[Isaac]

Vertical fin


The vertical fin comes in the easy one piece or the complex version that has a separate rudder. That is the one I selected to build. There is a rugged internal bracing that fits right on. The tail also has 2 forward sections that are glued on. One I did as part of the fin and the other more forward connects to the “hump” on top. The rudder is separate and my only quip here is that it needs to be corrected at this large scale. The actual A-4 rudder is unique in that the ribs are on the outside and the fin portion is sandwiched between the outer ribs. So if you want to have it improved, this is one area to work on. However, as I said, I am not changing this model.



The avionic hump


This is a unique feature for the A-4 and the hump was also called the Camel for obvious reasons. Here the sections are glued to each other and when dried, I glued the internal frames to give it its shape and rigidity. The only addition I made is to rear part 53 and added 2 cardstock strips on the inside edges where it will be glued to the top so it is stiffer and does not look wavy. Otherwise, it is a very impressive structure.


I elected to wait on gluing the fins forward part 54 to the hump until both the hump and the vertical fin were glued and then attached part 54. The instruction shows it attached to the fin prior to gluing to the fuselage. I suppose that is a way to do it as well.


For now I elected not to glue the antennas and probes as they will be damaged. Those I save for the end.

So far a very enjoyable build.


Cheers

Isaac

[Rubenandres77]

Is looking really nice.

[HMCS]

great job isaac!,.. this is my fav aircraft next to the b version of the hornet

[ashevilleangler]

Beautiful work on a great model! I am watching with great interest.

Curt

[Isaac]

Horizontal stabilizer


The stabilizer can be a simple fin or have separate elevators. I think it is more realistic to have them separate. The design is conventional. What is not clear is the assembly of the swash plates that ride with the stabilizers and touch ( but not connected ) the vertical fin. These are rounded and not flat plates. So the thin sliver frames are glued at the edges and when dried, you glue the lower and upper plates ( make sure they have a curvature to them ). Use photos for reference on their placement. The elevators are then added.





The spar provided is shown abutting the rear of the fin ( just in front of the elevators ). However, that does not provide sufficient structural support and I substituted a piece of wood dowel that I flattened to size. Also, I added a small wooden coffee stirrer in the middle to align the left and right fins.




Once those supports are glued in one fin and dried, I attached to the vertical fin and then glued the opposite fin and pushed them together making sure they are aligned.

Rudder

As stated before, the kit provided rudder is not correct. The real rudder had a center plate and external half ribs ( this was a temporary design fix that was never changed since it was so effective ). It was tempting for me to make it moveable with hinges, but at this build, I am not making any enhancements.



A side note
Printing the kit at home using an ink jet printer makes the paper vulnerable to glue in unintended locations and is not cleanable and it lifts the color. Not sure what to do about it . I do not want to spray the paper before cutting since it leaves an un natural shine to it. For now, that is as is.

Cheers


Isaac

[HMCS]

I think spraying some clear coat on the model after, might "mask" the glue,.. either way it is looking great!,.. I wouldnt worry about it at all!

[Isaac]

I think that clear coat will make it shiny?


Anyway, for now it is as is.


Working on the wing. What a complicated design.

Thanks

Isaac