[1250ships]

I addition to several sale items I picked up from House of Hobbies I also picked up the Falklands A-4B Skyhawk. UPS man just brought it and here are some quick pictures and thoughts.



This is my second Hobby Master jet. I also have the Really George F-104. This one was fairly simple to put together though I could have used some instructions on how to install the landing gear. The front one is pretty obvious but the rears require several parts in a part. The 104 was like that too- even some picture diagrams of the order of assembly would be nice.



For underwing stores the plane comes with a pair of drop tanks, a pair of missiles that can replace the drop tanks, and a center line mounted bomb. The bomb covers the hole for the stand so you can't show it with the bomb in flight. The missiles look to me like AGM-12 Bullpups.



I found that the rear gear and wing tanks did not lock into place and will require some Elmer's glue to remain well seated. I knocked them off multiple times just taking a few photos. I went with the wing tank/bomb combo as I do not think the A-4s operated with the missiles during the Falklands war, in part because they needed the extra fuel to reach the British fleet.



As discussed elsewhere on the board the Argentine national flag on the tail is incorrect. You can also see some paint scraps next to the roundell.



This shot shows you the relative size of the flag on the model. I don't feel the mistake is a deal killer given the size of the flag. Was glad to see they put the aircraft number on the front gear door.



Closeup off the markings around the cockpit including the symbols of the two British ships claimed by the pilot.



Underneath view showing the bomb and forward gear. Gear is a bit chunky but at this scale I think they did about all they could reasonably do.

Overall a nice model- some small mistakes but it is nice to see some planes from the other side of the Falklands War. It will make a great counterpoint to the upcoming Corgi Hermes ski-jump Harrier set.

[flyXwire]

Thanks for the nice shots of the Argentine A-4B, 1250ships! I may get this one eventually when the price is right.

[Lakota Mech]

I got my Argentine Air Force A-4 for $26.00 at Burbanks. Price seems pretty good to me.

[pulqui]

I received my Argentine A-4 yesterday. Nice model, other than the issues raised before. One thing is killing me though. The wing leading edges are flat!!!!!!! Scale wise at least 3 inches flat!! . The same with the wing trailing edges!! I am sure HM can do a lot better than that.

[djjeffhall]

I picked up one of these a while ago and I think its a great bird. I've got it parked next to my other Hancock A4. Now all I have to do is find one of my Harriers and I'm all set.

[11SQNLDR]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

I picked up one of these a while ago and I think its a great bird. I've got it parked next to my other Hancock A4. Now all I have to do is find one of my Harriers and I'm all set.

Same here - my Hermes diorama set with this alongside is part of my Falklands campaign collection. Others are Black Buck Vulcan & Victor, Sea King, Chinook & 'Humphrey' Wessex. I'd love a Super Etendard but i'm guessing the chances are slim that a manufacturer will pick up on this mold.

[pulqui]

Originally Posted by 11SQNLDR

Same here - my Hermes diorama set with this alongside is part of my Falklands campaign collection. Others are Black Buck Vulcan & Victor, Sea King, Chinook & 'Humphrey' Wessex. I'd love a Super Etendard but i'm guessing the chances are slim that a manufacturer will pick up on this mold.

There is a Super Etendard in Argentine Navy colors in 1:100 scale from Atlas, France. A sort of basic model but the only one in town.

[djjeffhall]

11SQNLDR,
Hey there.

That sounds like a mighty impressive display. I don't have any of the other Falklands war birds, though I do have a Humphrey on order from a dealer here in the states. Those other Flaklands birds are as hard to come by as Hens teeth.

[11SQNLDR]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

11SQNLDR,
Hey there.

That sounds like a mighty impressive display. I don't have any of the other Falklands war birds, though I do have a Humphrey on order from a dealer here in the states. Those other Flaklands birds are as hard to come by as Hens teeth.

I'm happy to share my source - Ebay UK. All the HTF Corgi birds reside there at some stage or another. Once you get over the shock of the exchange rate its all good, & plenty of bargains to be had from time to time. This is where i've grabbed my EE Lightnings & all of Corgi's 1/72 Mossies. 99% of my new release purchases come ex - US though, not so much from Ebay but mostly the favourite retailers that we all know and love!

[11SQNLDR]

Originally Posted by pulqui

There is a Super Etendard in Argentine Navy colors in 1:100 scale from Atlas, France. A sort of basic model but the only one in town.

thanks for that!