Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2906
Douglas A-1J Skyraider
BuNo. 142031, VA-145 "The Swordsmen"
Feb 1, 1966

1/72 scale pre-finished.

Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic.

Comes with:
2 - center-line fuel tanks (long & and short)
2 - bombs
12 - missiles
2 - under-wing fuel tanks

Professionally painted.

All markings are pad applied for superb results.

Crew figure.

Comes with display stand.

Landing gear can be displayed up or down.

Extremely sought after by collectors.

The A-1 Skyraider originated as a carrier-based torpedo and dive bomber. Deliveries as
the AD-1 to the Navy began in November 1946 and in 1962 was renamed A-1. It was
the first single-seat torpedo/dive bomber to serve with the Navy. The primary mission of
the A-1 was close air support for ground troops because of its heavy ordnance load and
accuracy. The aircraft had great success in Korea and Vietnam. There were 3,180
Skyraiders built in seven major models and 28 different versions. There were 266 A-1s
lost in Vietnam.
Some nicknames - Able Dog, Spad, Sandy, Hobo, Firefly, Zorro and "Crazy Water
Buffalo," a VNAF nickname.

VA-145 “The Swordsmen” were assigned to the USS Ranger from December 1965 to
August 1966. On February 1, 1966 Lt(jg) Dieter Dengler was flying his A-1J 142031/ NK
504 on his very first combat mission over North Vietnam when his aircraft was shot
down. Dengler crash-landed in Laos, was captured and imprisoned. On June 30, 1966
he made a daring escape from a prisoner-of-war stockade and was rescued and
returned to the squadron on July 21, 1966. Dengler was awarded the Navy Cross for his
courageous escape.

A-1J had structural improvements over the A-1H to increase wing fatigue life. This
altered the
weights and performance between the two variants.
Crew – (1) pilot
Aircraft Produced – 72

Weights
Empty – 10,550 lbs
Maximum take off – 25,000 lbs

Performance
Engine – Wright R-3350-26B 2,800hp radial piston
Maximum speed @ 18,000 ft – 320 mph
Cruise @ 6,000 ft – 190 mph
Ceiling – 25,500 ft
Range – 900 miles

Dimensions
Length – 38 ft 10 in
Wing span – 50 ft 9 in
Height – 15 ft 8.25 in

Armament
(4) 20 mm cannon
Up to 8,000 lbs. of free- fall and/or forward-firing weapons mounted on hard points

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