Platz 1/144 A-4E Skyhawk "Wake Island Avengers"
By Matt Bittner
The Kit
Since I've already written a First Look on this excellent kit from Platz - their A-4E/F Skyhawk - I will first point you to that original article. Then I will show how the kit dry-fits and looks taped together. Keep in mind there are two kits in one box.Overall the fit is excellent. It's difficult to see in the photos, but you have to believe that there will be little-to-no-putty needed when assembling this kit. The only area that will definitely need some putty will be where the wing assembly meets the rear of the fuselage.
Other than that you should be scott free from the putty, and some minor scraping will be all that is needed for most seams, especially the fuselage.
The markings are nicely done, in register and the color is spectacular - where there is color. There are decals for four aircraft:
- A-4E, Bu 151988, VMA-211, "Wake Island Avengers"
- A-4E, Bu 150076, VMA-211, "Wake Island Avengers"
- A-4E, Bu 159651, VMA-153/VMA-311 "Tomcats"
- A-4E, Bu 15050, VMAT-102 "Skyhawks"
The aircraft are finished in the typical color scheme for the day, consisting of Lt. Gull Gray uppers with white undersides and flight-control surfaces.
Conclusion
This kit is one of the best injected kits in 1/144. The Platz A-4s are an excellent introduction to this scale and must be seen to believed. The level of detail on the kit is exceptional and rivals - if not surpasses - some larger scale injected kits. The only area lacking out-of-the-box is the cockpit, and if you really must have a detailed cockpit then you'll need to purchase the Brengun photoetch. But if not, then close the canopy and there is plenty in the cockpit to keep most happy. If you build 1/144 jets then you're doing yourself a disservice by not buying any of the Platz 1/144 A-4 releases.Many thanks to Platz for sending the review sample.