USN/USMC A-4 Skyhawks Part 1 Photo CD Review

By Michael Benolkin

Review

Aero Research has released their latest photo reference CD, this covering the US Navy and US Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawks, though this is only Part 1. While there are 150 photos in this set, Aero Research plans on providing broader coverage of the Scooter and the variety of colors and markings it wore throughout its distinctive career.

Once again I used my image browser to scan through the aircraft on the disc and I was quite impressed with the selection of aircraft. There is an excellent sampling of aircraft from many of the squadrons that operated the aircraft in both services.

As with the first release, many of these images are provided at 6000 pixels wide. All of the photos are color and all are out of various collections. Most are taken while the aircraft were in service.

While most of us have forgotten the colors carried by the Scooter earlier in its career, instead drawn to the interesting adversary color schemes worn by the aggressor Scooters. I have a particular interest in this first photo as I remember vividly the first time I encountered this aircraft. I was TDY to Nellis AFB in the mid-1980s to give a briefing and was driving across the base to deliver said briefing. As I was driving, I was enjoying the sunshine and watching the fighters passing overhead in the pattern while running through the briefing in my mind.

All of a sudden I glance back up to see a MiG-17 in the pattern. I slammed on the brakes and hopped out of the car. There was indeed a MiG in the pattern! It was only when the aircraft entered the break that the sunshine gave up the rest of the story - under that tan and brown MiG was a blue-gray Scooter. What an excellent visual presentation. When you saw that thing click by at 800+ knots closure, you don't have time to stop and see the Scooter, you just saw a gomer turning very tightly like a gomer. Fight's on!

The CD does have a nice selection of aggressor schemes, but it also goes back into time to the days of prior to subdued camouflage and provides a glimpse at what unit pride used to look like, as illustrated with these two aircraft.

For the modeler, you'll see lots of good details and color information for tackling that next project.

This is a nice selection of imagery that you won't find available in such clarity and size. This title is recommended!

You can purchase this reference or any of their other photo CDs directly from their website www.aeroresearchcds.com or via email AeroResearch@Charter.net.

My sincere thanks to Aero Research for this review sample!