Hobby Boss 81790 - 1:48 A-4B Skyhawk

Plastic Model Kit of the A-4B Skyhawk Carrier-Based Attack Aircraft in 1:48 Scale

Hobby Boss 81790 is a self-assembly plastic model kit representing an early version of one of the most iconic carrier-based attack aircraft of the United States Navy — the A-4B Skyhawk (original designation A4D-2). The 1:48 scale model captures the compact and highly recognizable silhouette of the Skyhawk, featuring the short delta wing designed by Ed Heinemann specifically to eliminate the need for wing folding aboard aircraft carriers — something highly unusual among carrier aircraft of the era.

The A-4B version was the first production Skyhawk equipped with an in-flight refueling probe and the ability to serve as an aerial tanker using an external “buddy store” refueling pod — a significant tactical improvement allowing one Skyhawk to refuel another without support from a dedicated tanker aircraft. The version also introduced structural improvements strengthening the airframe and a hydraulically powered rudder.

Inside the box you will find:

• Plastic sprues with fuselage, wing, and tailplane components
• Detailed cockpit interior with instrument panel and ejection seat
• External fuel tanks, bombs, and typical Skyhawk ordnance
• Photo-etched parts sheet
• Clear canopy parts
• Water-slide decals for selected paint schemes
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model technical details:

• Scale: 1:48
• Catalog number: 81790
• Manufacturer: Hobby Boss
• Completed model length: approx. 254 mm, wingspan approx. 175 mm
• Difficulty level: intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints, or modeling tools. The model requires assembly and painting.

Building the model:

The kit requires careful assembly of the cockpit interior with its instrument panel and ejection seat — the cockpit is best painted and finished before joining the fuselage halves. It is also worth deciding in advance which weapons configuration will be displayed, as the model allows for multiple loadout options ranging from a clean aircraft to a fully armed strike configuration.

Typical paint schemes for the A-4B Skyhawk feature the classic Gull Gray over white finish characteristic of US Navy aircraft of the 1950s and 1960s, often enhanced with colorful squadron markings and brightly painted rudders. Popular paint choices include ranges from AK Real Colors, Mr. Hobby Aqueous, and Tamiya. A common technique is to apply decals over a gloss varnish to prevent silvering, followed by a satin finish coat. For enhanced realism, separately available metal Pitot tubes and photo-etched upgrade sets may also be added.

Essential tools:

• Model sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modeling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing mold attachment points
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for photo-etched parts
• Precision modeling tweezers
• Paint brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Modeling wash for highlighting panel lines
• Masking fluid or masking tape for the canopy

About the aircraft – A-4B Skyhawk:

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was an American carrier-based attack aircraft designed by the famous engineer Ed Heinemann of Douglas Aircraft. In the early 1950s, the US Navy required a lightweight, inexpensive, and compact aircraft capable of operating from smaller aircraft carriers — Heinemann met these requirements with remarkable efficiency, designing an aircraft far below the imposed weight limits. The short-span delta wing proved so compact that it did not require folding aboard carriers, becoming one of the defining characteristics of the Skyhawk. The prototype first flew on June 22, 1954.

The A-4B version (originally designated A4D-2) entered service in 1957 as the first production Skyhawk fitted with an in-flight refueling probe and the ability to refuel other aircraft using a “buddy store” external refueling pod. It also introduced a strengthened airframe, an improved Wright J65-W-16A engine, and hydraulically assisted rudder controls. A total of 542 aircraft of this version were produced.

The Skyhawk earned the nicknames “Scooter” and “Heinemann’s Hotrod” thanks to its agility and compact size. The A-4 participated in numerous armed conflicts — most notably the Vietnam War, where it served as the primary carrier-based attack aircraft of the US Navy and US Marine Corps. Exported to many countries, the Skyhawk also became famous as an aircraft of the Argentine Air Force during the Falklands War in 1982 and as one of the key aircraft of the Israeli Air Force in several Middle Eastern conflicts.

Technical data of the original aircraft (A-4B Skyhawk):

• Length: 12.22 m
• Wingspan: 8.38 m
• Height: 4.57 m
• Empty weight: approx. 4,400 kg
• Maximum takeoff weight: approx. 10,200 kg
• Crew: 1 pilot
• Engine: Wright J65-W-16A turbojet engine, thrust approx. 34 kN
• Maximum speed: approx. 1,080 km/h
• Gun armament: 2 × 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons mounted in the wings
• External stores: up to approx. 2,270 kg carried on three pylons (bombs, rockets, external fuel tanks, “buddy store” pod)
• A-4B production: 542 aircraft

About the manufacturer – Hobby Boss:

Hobby Boss is a Chinese plastic model manufacturer belonging to the Trumpeter group, active since the 2000s. The company offers a very broad catalog of armored vehicle, aircraft, and ship kits in scales ranging from 1:144 to 1:18, covering both classic historical subjects (World War II, Cold War conflicts) and modern military vehicles and aircraft. Hobby Boss is known for its consistent approach to developing complete model series — multiple boxings of the same vehicle or aircraft are usually released, covering different variants and allowing modelers to build the exact version they are looking for. Hobby Boss kits are popular among intermediate-level modelers thanks to their strong balance between detail and market availability.