Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA1402
McDonnell Douglas A- 4B
VA-106 "The Gladiators"

Designed as a lightweight low-cost attack and ground support jet for the US Navy and
eventually the USMC** to replace the A-1 Skyraider the A-4 Skyhawk was first delivered
in late 1956. It weighed less than half the Navy’s requirements and small enough not to
need folding wings for carrier operations. The Navy started replacing the A-4 in 1967
with the A-7 Corsair II but production continued until 1979 when the Marines started to
replace the A-4 with the Harrier. More than ten other countries flew the A-4.

**United States Marine Corps

The first US Navy A-4 Skyhawk entered service in 1956 to replace the A-1 Skyraider but
by 1979 the A-4 was being replaced by the A-7 Corsair II. VA-106 started as Strike-
Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO SIX in January 1945 but became VA-106 “The Gladiators”
in 1955. A total 2,960 A-4s were manufactured with 542 of them as A-4B (originally
designated as A-4D-2) Skyhawks. Many of these were later modified and/or refurbished
and sold to foreign countries. The Skyhawk flew more missions than any other US Navy
plane during the Vietnam War and because it was so nimble it was chosen by the US
Navy Aerobatic Team the “Blue Angels”.

Technical Specifications A-4B

Wing Span: 27 ft 6 in
Length: 39 ft 5 in
Height: 15 ft
Weight: 20,000 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed: 664 mph
Service Ceiling: 47,900 ft
Range: 1,160 miles
Engines: 1 Wright J65-W-20 turbojet, 8,400 lbs thrust
Crew: 1

True 1/72 scale
Professionally painted
Great attention to detail
All markings are Tampoed (pad applied)
Option to display the model on a stand that is provided
Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions
Canopy opens
Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic
Highly collectable

NOT THE RETAIL VERSION

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