This is the second sheet for the Hasegawa A-4 kit from AOA Decals. Like the others this is thoroughly researched with the help of the A-4 Skyhawk Association, notable pilots and mechanics. Who better to make sure that the markings are correct than the ones that were there?

The A-4 was a workhorse for the Navy and the Marines in Vietnam. As such it was operated from carriers and shore airfields. This sheet covers the Skyhawk from 1966 to 1972. Where a unit used both types or had early and later cruises, AOA selects an aircraft from both time frames.

This small sheet addresses some short comings in kits sold overseas. The lack of swastikas. Now I’m not sure if it is just a typo or a way to get by overseas censors by calling them svastikas versus swastikas.

Either way you know what you are getting. Eduard prints their own decals and these are just perfect. They are printed on a 1.5 x 2.5 inch decal sheet. The decals are very thin and very crisp. You get 12 swastikas in two sizes. The normal Bf-109 sized swaskitas are 300mm. You get eight swastikas in this scaled size. Later in the war there were some slightly larger sized, 400mm, ones used on wooden tails. There are four of these.

The sheet is a good addition if you need some swastikas for your Bf-109 for your Bf-109G. Your F and E are available on other sheet. Those may have a white surround but these do not.

Jet canopy frames feature rear view mirrors. Most kits don’t include these parts as they are too difficult to do in plastic. The KP/Smer Su-25 is one of those kits. Luckily Quickboost recognized this and provides you with this set.

Packaged in the typical Quickboost packaging this small set includes three mirrors. They are easily removed from the pour stub. Then it is just a matter of painting them and sticking them on the canopy framework. Simple, easy and effective upgrade for a small price.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review copy. You can obtain yours by contacting them at http://www.aires.cz/en//a>

During the 1920 and 1930’s most Latin American countries started developing air routes and air services; at the same time that their own armed forces started developing their air arms.That fledgling market brought intense competition from industrial countries, including Germany and Italy, which landed significant contracts for both military and civilian aircraft.

This book is organized into 16 chapters, basically one chapter per country, plus a handful of special chapters like “Visitors” (i.e aircraft not operated by Latin American countries but that made special visits to Latin America), Axis Airline Services, Survivors, etc. In this section is where the only Japanese aircraft in Latin America is found.

The Triple Ejector Rack (TER) allows aircraft to carry three weapons on a single pylon, thus increasing the weapons load that an aircraft can carry instead of a single weapon per pylon as was common in World War II and Korea. The TER attaches directly to the weapons pylon and allows the carriage of up to three of the same weapon, primarily bombs, on that weapons station.

The United States has used TERS since the Vietnam War and they still a common sight on US aircraft along with many NATO air forces. The bombs are attached to the TER by mounting lugs and are stabilized by adjustable sway braces on the TER.