Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

SNJ-5
In the late 1930’s North American Aviation began to deliver the T-6 Texan for the USAAF
and the SNJ version for the USN. The SNJ had to function like the fighters of the day
and be able to carry armament also some had tail hooks (SNJ-5C) to practice carrier
operations. Nicknamed the “Pilot Maker” it is considered the most successful trainer ever
built, estimates are 100,000 U.S. Military pilots flew these aircraft. Known as the Harvard
throughout the British Commonwealth it served in 34 countries with approximately 16,000
planes built.

Beginning on January 9, 1948 the new man in charge of the “Blue Angels” was LCdr. R.
E. ‘Dusty’ Rhodes. At that time the team was flying four F8F Bearcats and one SNJ
dubbed “Beetle Bomb” that was meant to represent a Japanese Zero. Originally the SNJ
was painted with a large red meatball on the side of the fuselage and a large number
zero on the tail. By 1948 the SNJ/Zero was painted bright yellow with USN markings.
Three F8Fs would perform the maneuvers until the SNJ/Zero would attack the three
Bearcats to begin a dogfight. At this point the fourth F8F would join the group that would
then split into two two-plane sections to pursue the SNJ/Zero. The Japanese pilot would
always lose the fight ending in his aircraft hurtling towards the ground in smoke and a
dummy thrown out to represent the pilot bailing out.

Specifications

Manufacturer: North American Aviation
Purpose: Advanced Trainer
Powerplant: 600 HP Pratt and Whitney R-1340-AN-1
Length: 29 ft. 6 in.
Wing Span: 42 ft.
Height: 11 ft. 9 in.
Maximum Speed: 205 MPH
Cruising Speed: 170 MPH
Service Ceiling: 21, 500 ft.
Range: 750 mi.
Weight: Empty 4,158 lb. / Maximum 5,300 lb.
Average Fuel Consumption: 30 GPH
Armament: Allowance made for 1 x 0.30 in. (7.62 mm) Machine Gun

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA1519
Blue Angels SNJ-5 Beetle Bomb 1948

True 1/72 scale
Professionally painted unique scheme
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

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