Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA1428
Douglas A-4C Skyhawk
BuNo 149574, VA-153, USS Coral Sea, 1960s

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
Optional armament has been provided
Canopy displays open or closed
Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic
Highly collectable

Designed to replace the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider the Skyhawk first flew in 1954. Its small
size was a radical departure from the normal “Big” thinking of the time. The USN first took
delivery in late 1956 with the USMC receiving theirs 3 months later. Over the years many
nicknames were used, “Tinker Toy”, “Heinemann’s Hotrod” (the designer was Ed
Heinemann), with the E and F models labeled the “Camel” because of the electronics
hump along the dorsal. Probably the most well known nickname used for the 2,960 A-4’s
that were produced is “Scooter”.

In February 1965 A-4C 149574 was transferred from VA-144 to VA153 “Blue Tail Flies”
on board the USS Coral Sea. In Vietnam this aircraft made numerous sorties carrying
ordnance such as Mk. 84 2,000 pounds and fuel tanks. On June 25, 1965 while on an
armed reconnaissance flight 10 miles north of Thanh Hoa and piloted by CVW-15 CAG,
ex-VA153 CO, Cdr. Peter Mongilardi, A-4C 149574 NL/306 was hit by 37mm flak and
crashed killing the pilot. Mongilardi became the first CAG to be shot down in the Vietnam
War.

Specifications McDonnell Douglas A-4C
Crew – 1 Pilot

Dimensions
Length – 40ft 3in
Wingspan – 27ft 6in
Height – 14ft 11in

Weight
Empty – 10,450 lbs
Loaded – 18,300 lbs
Gross – 24,500 lbs

Performance
Powerplant – 1 x Wright J-65-W-20 non-afterburning turbojet, 8,200 lbs. of thrust
Maximum Speed – 673 mph
Combat Radius – 1,000 miles
Ferry Range – 2,130 miles
Service Ceiling – 42,250 ft
Maximum Rate of Climb – 8,440 ft/min

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