Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2912
Douglas A-1H Skyraider
BuNo 134569, VA-52 "Knight Riders"
USS Ticonderoga, summer 1967

1/72 scale pre-finished.

Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic.

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-52 “Knight Riders” was one of three A-1 units to wear a CAG paint scheme during
the Vietnam War. It wore a diagonal blue fuselage band containing various colored
stripes that represented the squadrons belonging to CVW-19. During VA-52’s third and
last Vietnam deployment all its aircraft wore midnight blue weapon pylons. A-1H 134569
was built in 1953 and originally served with VA194 and then two other squadrons before
transferring to VA-52. Eventually 134569 was transferred to the USAF and then to the
VNAF and was shot down in 1972.

Specification of Douglas AD-6 Skyraider re-designated the A-1H in 1962

Performance
Engine – (1) 2,500 hp Wright R-3350-26WA Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled
radial, rated at 2,600 hp for takeoff and 2,100 hp at 14,000 feet.
Maximum Speed
342 mph at 15,400 ft
319 mph at sea level
Cruising Speed - 180 mph
Combat Ceiling - 29,400 ft
Combat Radius - 275 miles with 2,000 lbs of bombs
Maximum Ferry Range – 3,240 miles

Weights
Empty - 12,070 lbs
Normal Loaded - 18,400 lbs
Maximum - 24,000 lbs

Dimensions
Length - 39 ft 3 in
Height - 15 ft 8 in
Wingspan - 50 ft 1/4 in
Wing Area - 400.33 sq ft

Armament
(4) 20-mm cannon in the wing
(6) Racks underneath each outer wing
(1) Pylon under each inner wing
(1) Pylon underneath the fuselage centerline

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