This weekend we feature the 1/48 HobbyBoss A-4M Skyhawk

The A-4 Skyhawk was designed by Douglas in response to a U.S. Navy call for a jet-powered aircraft attack aircraft to replace the older A-1 Skyraider. Douglas opted for a design that would minimize its size, weight, and complexity. The result was an aircraft that weighted only half of the Navy’s weight specification. It had a wing so compact that it did not need to be folded for carrier stowage.

The A-4M represented in this kit is a Marine version with improved avionics and a more powerful J52-P-408a engine with 11,200 lbf thrust, enlarged cockpit, and an integrated IFF system. The A-4M was later fitted with a Hughes AN/ASB-19 Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) with TV and Laser Spot tracker. A total of 160 A-4Ms were built (including two revised A-4Fs) and provided a great platform for one of the premier air and close air support aircraft. The final A-4M was delivered on February 27, 1979, bringing Skyhawk production to an end. At the time, the 27 year production was the longest for any American tactical aircraft.

The HobbyBoss A-4M comes with 320 parts to provide all the detail required for your build.