He then noted that the Airfix kit was several scale inches shorter than this.
Unfortunately, this station diagram is for an A4D-2N (note the canted bulkhead in the nose) rather than an A4D-1/2, which have a nine-inch shorter nose.
Realizing that this isn't the correct length for an A4D-1/2 isn't helped by the fact that there are two basic overall lengths for the A4D-1/2, one parallel to the ground with the airplane in its normal stance and the other parallel to the fuselage reference plane (also known as the waterline):
Note that the length parallel to the ground is 39' 4 1/2", close enough to the A4D-2N waterline length to be confusing if that's the only length given in a table and without reference to a drawing.
As best I can tell, the Airfix kit is the correct length.
Compared to pretty good Douglas drawings, however, the rudder extends down a bit too much on the fin and the nose is definitely tilted down, suggesting a foreshortened A4D-2N nose. (I had thought the nose looked a little off when I first saw pictures of the kit and this tends to confirm that observation.)
For much more on the Airfix A4D kit and the Skyhawk in general, see http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-airfix-172-4b4p-modeling-notes.html
Hello,
ReplyDeletewhat you can says about Fujimi Skyhawks kits? What better A-4A: Fujimi or Airfix?
Thank you.
Neither is a 1/72 A-4A (unless you're referring to the original Airfix kit, which is pretty crude) as you probably know. I'd say that it's a tossup. The Fujimi A-4B is probably more expensive and a little fiddly to build but better in terms of surface detail.
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