Scale aviation modeller international

PRODUCT OF

THE MONTH

T

his brand new tool from

Shesto is one that I can see

getting lots of use on my

work bench. A bugbear of mine

on some model kits is the mould

seam line, I find these a pain to

remove so any help is gratefully

received. This tool has straight

and curved edges, the tip is 2mm

square meaning that you will be

able to reach quite tight areas.

The other really good thing

about this tool is that it has no

sharp edges on which you could cut

yourself, I know this seems counter

intuitive, but it is indeed the case!

Whilst your tool kit will still

need a modelling knife, this mould

line cleaning tool will be a very

welcome addition, especially if you

are encouraging a younger modeller

and you have safety concerns about

sharp tools! I have been modelling

for around 38 years and a tool like

this would have meant a lot fewer

scars on my thumbs, so it will be

great for experienced modellers too.

This tool comes recommended

as a very useful tool to add

to your modelling set up. My

thanks to Shesto for supplying

this new tool for review.

For more information on this and

other products

go to the Shesto website

http://www.shesto.com

or contact them directly via email at

[email protected] or telephone

0208 451 6188

• Remove mould lines


• Draw the steel edge along
  the mould line or the sprue
  attachment point to remove,
  leaving a smooth finish


• For use on plastic model parts,
  resin, photo-etch parts and also
  white metal accessories or figures


• Ergonomic handle for comfortable
  grip and added control

PSP1000

Mould Line Cleaning Tool

50 • SEPTEMBER 2018 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL

ACCESSORIES

T

he A4D/A-4 Skyhawk is without doubt

one of the more successful military aircraft

of the post-War era. It entered service with

the US Navy in late 1956 and served with distinction for

many years, bearing much of the early action in carrier-based

strikes against North Vietnam during the 1960s. The Skyhawk was

in continuous production for over twenty-seven years, and although the A-4

is no longer serving with the US Navy and US Marine Corps, a few

examples are still operational in foreign hands, and private defence

contractors. Douglas built 2,960 Skyhawks between 1954 and 1979,

and this small yet effective aircraft packed a mighty punch and these

lightweight, high-speed bombers was affectionately nicknamed

‘Heinemann’s Hot Rod’, the ‘Bantam Bomber’ and ‘Scooter’. Upgraded

models had improved engines and a drogue parachute, new avionics

displays, larger cockpit canopies and more ammunition for the two

cannons, and the two-seat trainer versions included the TA-4F and

TA-4J series. As noted, its combat career began with the first American

carrier-launched raids on North Vietnam, August 4, 1964, and during

Israel’s Yom Kippur war in 1973, Israeli Air Force Skyhawks provided

much of the short-range striking power on the Sinai and Golan

Heights fronts. Skyhawks were also in action against British forces

during the 1982 Falkland’s conflict, where they paid a heavy price

against the Sea Harrier. The Navy’s ‘Blue Angels’ flight demonstration

team flew the Skyhawk from 1974 to 1986, and Skyhawks were also

used by the armed forces of Australia, Kuwait, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia

and New Zealand. An additional role undertaken by the Skyhawk was that

of ‘aggressor aircraft’. During the Vietnam War, it was found that the air-

to-air kill ratio against North Vietnamese fighter aircraft was too low. In an

attempt to improve this, the Navy Fighter Weapons School - better known

as ‘Top Gun’ - designed to train pilots against Soviet-bloc aircraft, adopted

the Skyhawk and when its avionics and weapons systems were stripped out

it proved to be an extremely agile aircraft, and one which could simulate

the performance characteristics of the MiG-17. The A-4 Skyhawk remains

one the iconic designs of the Cold War era, and its history and operations are

celebrated in these pages of this new Datafile from SAM Publications.

SKYHAWK

THE DOUGLAS A-4

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

MDF 31

SKYHAWK

£24.99

+ P&P

By Andy Evans

M D FSKYHAWK 31

SKYHAWK

THE DOUGLAS A-4

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

by Andy Evans

THE DOUGLAS A-4 SKYHAWK

SAM Publications

Modellers Datafile • 31

000-CoverFront-MDF-OUTPUT-FRONT_MDF31-Cover.Skyhawk.indd 1Cover: Illustration Purposes Only 06/07/2018 13:45

US Navy, US Marine Corps and Foreign Versions

order now

31

M D F

SKYHAWK

ORDER HOTLINE: 44 (0)1234 211245

ORDER ONLINE: http://www.sampublications.com

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