i will post a Back History tommorow as im still working on it, allong with some better pictures. cause these are to blurry  

for now, here it is  B)

the model is an Italeri A-4E/F kit with the decals from a 1/72 Mastercraft SU-22.
the bombs and sidewinders are from an Airfix F-5E.

ok, Back history.

following the collaps of the taliban regime and the liberation of afghanistan, the USA donated a number of aircraft to afghanistan to support there own and the coalition forces. Part of this package were 12 Ex-Israeli and USN A-4 Skyhawks, witch have been withdrawn from service a few years back.

they were slightly downgraded to lower the cost and the engines were slightly upgraded to improve maintanence costs. when all the aircraft were delivered in 2004, the US withdrew the CAS aircraft, so the afghan air force could take on the support for themselves.

in 2005, the aircraft recieved an avionics upgrade to improve its batllefield survivability. today, only 1 aircraft was lost after being hit by a Al Qaida RPG lauched from the surface during a support operation over the torabora mountains.



better pictures to follow  B) ......

Wow I like it Nils! That's a very cool camo scheme! Definitely one of the most interesting paint jobs I've ever seen on a scooter! I'm looking forward to seeing more pics.

Brian da Basher

Excellent, Nils!!!
I love this Scooter, and the subject+backstory is plausible and very interesting
I luv it    

Rafa

Nils, good stuff mate! Only gripe would be that the USN didnt use the N model Scooter (they stopped at the M).

Shas B)

QuoteOnly gripe would be that the USN didnt use the N model Scooter (they stopped at the M).

Shas B)

Maybe not the case in Nils' world, though.    

I like the backstory that goes with the build.  Of course you know we want the new pics to be taken against a mountain backdrop    

Always liked the Scooter, eventually I'm going to get one and build it up in USMC colors.  You've done a fine job with this one, thanks for sharing it with us.

QuoteMaybe not the case in Nils' world, though.   

And I'm not debating that the USMC would'nt use the N model, but why should they when the N is a variation of the M?

A-4 foreign users on Global Security

Granted, the USMC could've used the 30mm guns on their scooters. I still love the idea of Afghani Scooters, as they would be a great low cost fighter/attack platform for them.
(Note, I'm not being JMNish, I just happen to catch a glitch in the matrix   )


Shas B)

Missed this.

Great scooter and backstory!

This has eye catching colors and markings. I love the Scooter and you've done a nice job on this one. Thanks for sharing with us! B)  

Cool camouflage job...I like the brightness of the colouration, it would distract the hell out of any enemy pilots!

Plausible and interesting backstory! The Skyhawk loks cool in this camo...    

QuoteCool camouflage job...I like the brightness of the colouration, it would distract the hell out of any enemy pilots!

Yeah, like a venomous reptile with bright warning markings, it is boldly saying to its adversaries: "C'mon up, I dare you"