Scale 1/48th, A-4G Skyhawk, RAN V805 Sqn

[parsifal]

Just a few more

[parsifal]

Iwanted to do this model, and this particular aircraft for a number of reasons. It was part of the most significant RAN deployment into the Indian Ocean since WWII. Most significant both in terms of numbers of ships and the length of the deployment......five RAN ships were present....Melbourne, Perth, Derwent, Supply, Stalwart and Otama. At various times the Task Group was supported by RNZN and US ships. The deployment lasted from beginning of September through to the end of December of 1980.

It was recorded in history as a "show the flag" operation....until recently. The Australian government has finally approved the issue of a service medal for the ships complements of this deployment, belatedly recognizing the difficulties that were faced at that time. The TG was sent into the theatre as a reassurance to the Pakistanis, mostly, who at that time were being subjected to a lot of pressure by the Soviets, as their offe4nsive and occupation went fom bad to worse, and the CIA continued to pour weapons into Afghanistan, to support the mujhadeen fighting in that region . Our job was to provide at least moral support to the Pakistanis, and if the Soviets did start shooting, to ensure the security of the sea approaches to the region.

We knew that things were serious when the training ammunition was replaced with live stuff.

From a very early point the Soviets made it very clear that they intended to challenge us. We were constantly under close screen by at least two ships, usually built around a missile armed cruiser, several destroyers , an amphibious command ship, and at least three subs. From almost the beginning we were being shadowed by a Kotlin class and a Petya class DDG/frigate. Ther were also numbers of Bear LR maritime recon aircraft , which kept our A-4s busy in the AD role. This threat made the pilots miserable on numerous occasions. The pilots were forced to spend many hours strapped and ready in the cockpits, configured as I have, ready at a moment to launch and effect an interception, before the bogey can close to effective missile range. This was the first time I think that the need for AWACs was accepted.

But this aircraft was important also because its loss was a direct contributing factor in the early decommissioning of Melbourne. Melbournes catapult was failing by 1980, and was scheduled to undergo a major refit at the end of 1981. However the loss of two A-4s on the same deployment, prompted a grounding order to be issued in early 1981, and this in turn led to her early demise.....she could not operate as a carrier until the catapult was fixed , but this required a big amount of cash to fix the problem.

It was about this time that Melbourne acquired the nickname "Little M" as juxtaposition to the "Big E" The Enterprise was the biggest carrier iin the world, ehilst Melbourne was the smallest. The two ships often deployed togt

[Vic Balshaw]

That’s a nice Skyhawk you have made there Parsifal, full credit to you.

[Wildcat]

Interesting stuff Parsifal, it was shame that the Melbourne wasn't replaced.

[109ROAMING]

That last shot just put this on the' to build list'

Shes a cracker mate interesting/shame about the Melbourne

[parsifal]

Thanks guys. I hope you like it. I enjoyed the build, and am proud of it, despite some obvious areas where I can improve.

My next project is a Grumman tracker (overall aim is to achieve a collection of all RAN Fleet Air Arm Types, all the way back to '47).

Ive already hit some problems. I could only get the Tracker in 1/72 scale (the A-4 was in 1/48 scale....I will need to think about re-doing the A-4 I guess.....), and am stumped as to the decals I will need. I may have to make them myself, which is difficult. The Kit i have (1/72 Hasegawa) is an S2F-1 in US livery from 1965 I think. Great representation, but not in line with what I want to achieve.

Does anyone have or know where i can find details of colour schemes and other body art (eg like the little warning signs and other graffiti put on the aircraft). Unlike the A-4,I dont yet have a specific aircraf in mind, just the squadron....816

[lesofprimus]

Start a thread on researchin the particular aircraft and keep all the info in one thread....

[parsifal]

Yes, of course. I will do that tomorrow

[rochie]

looks great parsifal and good luck on your next project

[SpazSinbad]

Parsifal,
Have quickly read but not looked at images of your build of 885. Over last several years I've been collating information about the RAN FAA aircraft especially the A4G into a giant PDF of 4.4GB available at: ww(w).a4ghistory.com (URL mangled - don't have time to figure out how to do it properly - sorry)

Please note the download cautions - use a download manager if possible. Do not allow Adobe Reader to automatically download the large PDFs because this process will fail. Another useful method is to 'right click' and "Save target as" etc.

There are smaller versions and a Tracker specific PDF version if you scroll down the page. I'm in contact with Dave Baddams - although we have not met. I'm the chap who bingled the back end of MELBOURNE in 885 one 'dark & stormy night' in 1971. Dave finished what I started.

Regards from Phil Thompson.

[Wayne Little]

Good effort ther Parsifal!

[parsifal]

Thanks Wayne, and hello Phil

I completed this model over a year ago, as my first attempt it has lots of things about it I would have liked done better. I plan to do another A-4, in 1/72, once my boy is a little older, and I can prise myself away from my RC helos.

Just the same I am still generally happy with my effort. It is in a case now, and has pride of place in my home office. Provided you dont look too closely, it looks really cool.

A postscript on the pilot of this ill fated bird. Baddams transferred to the RN in 1983, after the fixed wing elements of the RAN were grounded ( a sad finish to a proud arm of the RAN....the Skyhawks were sold to the RNZAF, but the Trackers despite havbing been modernized and refurbished only 8 years earlier, were allowed to rot on the side of the tarmac). I read he ended up CO of one of the Harrier sqns, served in the post 1991 no-fly zone patrols, and recently retired, having had his mount (the Sea Harrier) taken from under him again

I have a new airbrush, and compressor, and have been messing around with it. I think my next effort will be to re-paint my Wessex (which I ruined some months ago, and has been in storage ever since).


My aim is to re-start my model projects just before Xmas

[Night Fighter Nut]

That is a nice plane Parsifal... Can't wait to see your model threads as you get back into the hobby.

[vikingBerserker]

Nice!

[Loiner]

I just read the whole thread of the build of this A4. Well done indeed, a really well researched and built model, particularly interesting as you were doing this specific airplane with its unique history. I hope your next project gets off to a good start; we'll watch with interest.