ESCI – 9003 – A-4F “Aggressor”

Description:

A-4F
“Aggressor”

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of an U.S. Douglas A-4 Skyhawk carrier capable “light” attack aircraft developed for the U.S. Navy introduced mid 50s which proved to be an extraordinary design remaining in service for decades and still operated as trainer after ver 60 years of its introduction.

The kit in fact was developed as an A-4E version, which together with some more changes, introduced 5 weapon pylons, instead of 3, and improved avionics. A-4F was a further refinement which amongst other improvements added a hump on the fuselage spine for extra avionics, something that the kit doesn’t provide.

By the lower code number, this is the first kit of the large ESCI Douglas A-4 Skyhawk family which initially consisted of four kits, two released in 1980 and two more in 1981, but which ESCI-Ertl extended in 1989 with two more releases just by changing decal sheet. Curiously, this “Aggressor” variant was the only not reissued by ESCI-Ertl in the late 80s and 90s.

Even after 40 years of the kit release and tool, it’s considered as a good kit, and example of the good ESCI aircraft kits, though it features a strange mix of engraved panel lines (fuselage) with raised ones (wings). HobbyBoss series of A-4 are considered good but not superior to the ESCI kit, though easier to build, the only clear winner if we speak about A-4 Skyhawk 1/72 scale kits, is Fujimi, agreed by all the modellers community, and recently reissued by Hobby 2000 with excellent new markings. Italeri tooled their own A-4 in 1983, and has keep reissuing it since them, but again is not considered superior to ESCI ones. ESCI build is easier than the better detailed Fujimi and continues to be an interesting kit that worth it to build.

A good sign of how healthy this kit series were when released is that they were also eventually released under Revell-ESCI, Humbrol, ESCI/Scale Craft, ERTL and AMT-ERTL brands.

This A-4F Aggressor kit includes the two main sprues shared by all the ESCI A-4 kits, but does not include any weapons payload or underwing pylons. This same configuration can be found on the ESCI A-4 Blue Angels kit. In the few odds usually commented about the kit are the no slats nor flaps down option.