45 Minute Build...

[AeroplaneDriver]

I think I'll call this my fastest build ever.  The blue paint on my RN Learjet is taking an eternity to dry so I dragged out the old early 80s ESCI 1/48 A-4 collecting dust in the stash.  I've been meaning to throw this together for a while just to use as a paint mule (testing colors, techniques, weathering, etc).  It's going to get an all over (yes canopy too) and I'll call it done until I need to test something out.  It's not much but I'll claim it as my fastest ever.  For a 40 yer old kit it's actually not bad and seems like it would build into a decent model with a little love.  Best thing was the one piece landing gear doors that you have to cut apart.  They fit the bays perfectly for a gear-up build.  This is an area I wish more manufacturers paid attention to. 

[chrisonord]

We certainly need more kits that go together  so easily and without  problems.  They would  do us all good  to have a few on our stash in case of emergency. 

[kerick]

I just wish all Skyhawks kits came with open leading edge slats. Since all Skyhawks slats were controlled by gravity or air pressure they were always open on the ground. Something obvious once you are aware of it. In 1/72nd scale I think only Fujimi does the open slats.

[AeroplaneDriver]

I just wish all Skyhawks kits came with open leading edge slats. Since all Skyhawks slats were controlled by gravity or air pressure they were always open on the ground. Something obvious once you are aware of it. In 1/72nd scale I think only Fujimi does the open slats.

In my experience most do.  In 1/48 I think the Hobbyboss kits have retracted slats but all others Ive seen including this one have them deployed.  I just glued them stowed.  On Blue Angels A-4s they were locked stowed to prevent unexpected deployment in low speed maneuvers. 

[Weaver]

I just wish all Skyhawks kits came with open leading edge slats. Since all Skyhawks slats were controlled by gravity or air pressure they were always open on the ground. Something obvious once you are aware of it. In 1/72nd scale I think only Fujimi does the open slats.

The Airfix one has open slats as the default. You have to cut bits off to model them closed.