1/48 Monogram A-4H Indonesia TNI-AU
My third A-4, and last for a little while, is the Monogram A-4E kit with improvements to the kit, and modifications to build it as an ex-Israeli A-4H in service of the Indonesian Air Force- TNI-AU.
The first issue to deal with on the Monogram kit, is the fuselage being too wide at the cockpit, and the canopy being the wrong shape. I used a Squadron A-4E vacuum formed canopy to replace the Monogram one, and shaved the sides of the fuselage down to a more correct cross-section. Then I had to fix the intakes- I had a spare set of Hasegawa A-4E intake parts to do that, after putting in intake trunking thanks to an old KMC set. The cross section of the rear fuselage around the exhaust is also an issue on the Monogram A-4 as it is on the ESCI A-4, although for different reasons! It did not matter, as the Indonesian A-4's had the IAF elongated exhaust fairings. I used the Aires exhaust and DEFA cannons to change those parts of the Monogram kit.
After poring over a ton of Indonesian A-4 images I noticed some antenna fits that were unique to the aircraft in TNI-AU service- on the nose especially, and on the avionics hump.
The decals were the FCM 48-044 sheet. The colours in the camouflage scheme include a custom mix- the light gray is: FS 36495 (perfect match for the light grey on the FCM decals), The Blue is: X603- Xtracolour Russian Su27 Flanker Blue/Grey, the Brown is Testors Italian Dark Brown (2111) lightened with FS36495, 2 parts brown, one part grey.
Great job! I really like the color scheme.
Thanks David! TNI-AU Scooters had two schemes- both quite distinctive!
Love this one as well, Dan @danfrombermuda
Indonesian aircraft are not build very often.
Thanks very much for your comments. try finding pictures of A-4 kits finished as Malaysian Scooters...
Another great Scooter, Dan!
Love the scheme and the improvements!
Thanks again Spiros!
Dan, "the A-4 Professor"...you could put on Skyhawk clinics. Great job on this one, too.
Thanks, That is very kind of you.
Good looking Scooter Dan, I really like that camo scheme.
Thanks man! Definitely my favorite scheme of the two Indonesian A-4 Schemes.
Another nice 'Hawk in an unusual scheme - looks great!