Eduard 1/144 A-4F
By Matt Bittner
Introduction
Turns out I have already reviewed the Platz A-4 numerous times. First, their A-4F "Ladie Jessie" release followed by the A-4E "Wake Island Avengers" release. Refer to those articles for a break down of the Platz kit.
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The Kit
The Eduard 1/144 Platz A-4F re-release contains markings for four aircraft:
- BuNo. 154186, VA-192 "Golden Dragons", USS Ticonderoga, 1968
- BuNo. 154190, VA-127 "Desert Bogeys", NAS Fallon, 1983-1986
- BuNo. 154190, VA-22 "Fighting Redcocks", USS Bon Homme Richard, 1970
- BuNo. 155018, VA-164 "Ghostriders", USS Hancock, 1971 ("Lady Jessie")
All aircraft except BuNo. 154190 are finished in the usual Gull Grey over White. 154190 is an Aggressor aircraft so it's finished in Tan, Brown and Green top and bottom. Decals are nicely printed by Eduard and appear to be in register.
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Also included with this Eduard re-release is a set of Eduard's own masks.
Note that there has been more aftermarket release for the kit besides Eduard's own photoetch set. Brengun has released a main photoetch set for the Platz kit, a photoetch ladder and a vacuum-formed replacement canopy. In additidon, RetroWings has created a "slick fuselage" conversion for the kit as well. More recently, Heroes Models has released an entire wing with dropped slats; a replacement ejection seat; and a replacement, more accurate exhaust, all parts being cast in resin. Plenty of aftermarket to dress up this excellent kit.
Conclusion
If you missed the Platz release of the A-4, then by all means pick up Eduard's recent re-release. This is a kit not to be missed by the 1/144 aficionado.
Many thanks to Eduard for the review sample.