Initial reactions to the Airfix 1/72 A-4B Skyhawk

Airfix has released some real gems over the last year or so, most notably their 1/72 scale Swordfish, which I understand is a beautifully detailed model and one that signaled a new commitment to quality by a manufacturer that is arguably one of the oldest and most respected in the hobby. While their latest kits are not yet on par with the Fifth Generation kits we've seen, they are much better than their older releases as well as recent releases from other manufacturers. Their new A-4B Skyhawk seems to be no exception.

I don't have the kit in my grubby little hands yet (I'll be looking for it at the IPMS Nats next week), but it's enticing for sure. It certainly looks nice in Drew Manton's hands. That said, I have to admit I'm a big fan of Fujimi's various incarnations of the Skyhawk, so I'm eager to see how the Airfix kit compares in a side-by-side comparison. Initial thoughts from others in this discussion on ARC are promising despite what some might consider shortcomings, most notably the kit's panel lines. I'm hoping Eduard eventually does a photoetch set, if only to fill up the cockpit.

If you missed it, Tailspin Topics, a fine blog that you really must bookmark, just published an article about the Airfix Skyhawk with some tips on improving it and making it more accurate. Be sure to check it out if you plan to buy or build the kit.