Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2915
Douglas A-1H Skyraider "The Good Buddha"
SN#34609, 1st SOS, 56th SOW,
Nakhon Phanom 1968

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.

Originally called the 1st Air Commando Squadron they served two tours during the Vietnam War,
July 8, 1963 until November 7, 1972 with the second tour taking place from December 15, 1972
until January 28, 1973. In August 1968 they were re-designated the 1st SOS. During their tours
the 1st SOS flew 4 types of aircraft with the Douglas A-1H Skyraider being the final. Based at
Nakhon Phanom RTAFB their primary mission was interdiction flights over the Ho Chi Minh Trail
and supporting pilot rescues as well as training South Vietnam pilots counter-insurgency
operations.

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

This new site is being updated regularly and it will be much improved before too long. Please be patient, give it time, and check back regularly. Opportunities for community collaboration are in the works for a little further down the road.

This is not a retail site. You cannot buy models here.

Thanks to Dauntless Aviation for providing web hosting and other support for this site. Real or sim pilot? Check out their stuff!

This is not an official site of any manufacturer or retailer. Information provided here may be incomplete or in error. Use at your own risk.

This is not an "advice" site. Please do not contact us asking about these models. Please contact a manufacturer or retailer with your questions or comments.

Please update your links!

Update HomePage links from the HMC website to either www.MetalWings.com or, preferably, www.dauntless-soft.com/MetalWings.
Update your page links to this page from HMCwebsite/HA2915.html to http://www.dauntless-soft.com/MetalWings/HA2915.asp

This site will be modified over time. We are well aware of its many issues, including missing images and bad formatting.