Hobby 2000 72029 - 1:72 A-4B Skyhawk - Vietnam 1966-68

Plastic model kit of the American Douglas A-4B Skyhawk attack aircraft in 1:72 scale

The A-4B was an early and exceptionally simple version of the Skyhawk – without bombing radar and without the avionics hump behind the cockpit, but with an in-flight refuelling installation and a strengthened structure. In the mid-1960s aircraft of this version were still flying combat missions from carrier decks off Vietnam alongside newer variants.

Hobby 2000 72029 is based on Fujimi sprues, complemented by a new sheet of waterslide decals printed by Cartograf and self-adhesive masks for the glazing. The first option is A-4B BuNo 145013, coded AK-00, of squadron VA-15 "Valions" aboard USS Intrepid (CVA-11) in 1966, carrying the distinctive "Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" emblem and the FS36320 / FS17875 scheme. The second is A-4B BuNo 142897, coded AJ-510, of VA-95 aboard USS Shangri-La in 1968.

What you will find in the box:

• Plastic sprues with airframe, cockpit and undercarriage parts
• Clear parts for the canopy glazing
• Parts for underwing stores and external fuel tanks
• Self-adhesive masks for the glazing
• Waterslide decal sheet printed by Cartograf covering two marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 72029
• Manufacturer: Hobby 2000
• Length of the finished model: approx. 170 mm
• Wingspan of the finished model: approx. 116 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The Skyhawk was one of the smallest combat jets of its time, so the 1:72 model is compact and built from a sensible number of parts – a good first encounter with carrier jets. The cockpit and ejection seat are best painted before the fuselage is closed, and some nose weight helps the model sit firmly on its nose gear leg.

Carrier aircraft of the 1966-1968 period wore the classic two-tone Navy scheme of light grey upper surfaces over white undersides – for the first option the instructions specify FS36320 and FS17875. The colourful squadron markings look best over gloss varnish, which reduces the risk of decal silvering, and the model can be finished with satin varnish. Aircraft flying from carriers quickly lost the freshness of their paint, so subtle panel line emphasis with a wash and light staining around the exhaust are worth considering.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes or an airbrush
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal setting solution to help the decals conform to the detail
• Modelling wash to emphasise the detail and panel lines

About the aircraft – Douglas A-4 Skyhawk:

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was born in the early 1950s from a premise that ran against the trends of the day: Ed Heinemann's team built an attack aircraft roughly half the weight the Navy specification demanded. It was so small that it needed no folding wings, which simplified the structure and saved weight. The nickname "Heinemann's Hot Rod" stuck for good.

The A-4B, introduced in 1956, was the first version built in genuinely large numbers – over 500 were completed. It received a strengthened rear fuselage structure, an improved control system and an in-flight refuelling installation that allowed it both to take on fuel and, with the appropriate store fitted, to act as a tanker. It had no bombing radar and none of the avionics hump that appeared on later variants.

During the Vietnam War, Skyhawks flew an enormous number of combat sorties from carrier decks against targets in both North and South Vietnam. The older A-4Bs served with squadrons operating from smaller carriers such as USS Intrepid, adapted for strike duties with light attack aircraft. Many aircraft of this version were later modernised to A-4L standard, and some went on to serve with other air arms for many years.

Original aircraft specifications (A-4B Skyhawk):

• Length: 12.22 m
• Wingspan: 8.38 m
• Height: 4.57 m
• Empty weight: approx. 4,300 kg
• Maximum take-off weight: approx. 10,200 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Wright J65-W-16A turbojet of approx. 34 kN thrust
• Maximum speed: approx. 1,080 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 12,000 m
• Fixed armament: two Colt Mk 12 20 mm cannon
• External load: bombs and unguided rockets totalling up to approx. 2,270 kg
• Production: approx. 540 A-4B aircraft (1956-1960)

About the manufacturer – Hobby 2000:

Hobby 2000 is a Polish model company based in Katowice that builds its range around its own themed releases of plastic kits. Each box contains sprues from an established manufacturer – in this case Fujimi sprues – combined with the company's own artwork, illustrated assembly instructions and a new decal sheet. The waterslide decals for the brand's kits are printed by Cartograf of Italy, valued in the industry for their thin carrier film and accurate colour registration. Most of the aircraft releases also include self-adhesive masks for the glazing, which makes painting the canopy frames considerably easier. Hobby 2000 selects its subjects around specific campaigns, units and pilots, and Polish themes appear regularly in the catalogue. Print runs are limited, so once a release sells out it rarely returns. For the modeller this means access to proven tooling in a boxing with carefully researched markings that are often hard to find elsewhere.