A-4E/F Skyhawk vs. A-4B (A4D-2) Skyhawk

Thats a big jump to make in variants of any aircraft.

The A-4 went through a lot of changes from the B to the E/F versions. There may be some component commonality between them, but I'd do some research on the A-4 variants in question. If there seems to be enough things on the photo etch set thatcan be used accurately on the kit, then it might be a good buy.

Don't be surprized if there isn't a lot in common between the two variants.

lil,

Check out some of the other producers of cockpit kits like Aries, Black Box, and a few others. Great Models or Squadron have nice selections of cockpit and other detail kits.

Aries makes a nice set of wheel wells, cockpit, and airbrakes for the Skyhawk. I know I saw a cockpit set for Hasagaws B model, but I can't remember who made it. I'll see If I can find it again.

The biggest difference is in the instrument panel and side panels. There were a lot of avionics upgrades between all the different variants of the Skyhawk, and the cockpit reflected this. So, if you're looking for accuracy, don't crossbreed the detail kits (although, if you don't tell anybody, who's gonna know??).

If you want to do the whole series of A-4s the old Lindberg kit, in 1/48th scale, is a model of the A4D-1. It is more like the proto-type A4D and would require a lot of work to make into a nice model, but it least would give you a starting point.

I'm sure it is still being produced as the Lindberg folks are like the Energiser bunny when it comes to producing their old kits.

As a side note the Hasagawa series of A-4s will include an A-4 M, due to be released this summer. We will finally get a 1/48th scale A4 M ! (a good one that is - Hobbycrafts does not count)