Douglas A-1H Skyraider

USN VA-176 Thunderbolts, AK412, Pete Russel, USS Intrepid, Vietnam, 1966

Hobby Master 1:72 HA2917

In 1964 Douglas A-1H Skyraider Bu. 135326 was delivered to VA-52 as NF-304 and in early1966 it was transferred to the VA-176 "Thunderbolts". VA-176 would complete its one and only Vietnam combat tour between April 4, 1966 and November 21, 1966 assigned to the USS Intrepid. On October 19, 1966 Skyraider 135326 flown by Pete Russell was a section leader of 4 VA-176 A-1Hs and is credited with a possible shoot-down of one of 4 MiG-17s that had jumped them. One MiG 17 was confirmed downed, one probably downed, and a third was damaged.

Douglas A-1H Skyraider
Designed by Douglas' chief engineer Ed Heinemann, the A1 was first flown on March 18th, 1945. Used in Vietnam for close air support and for providing cover for combat rescue missions, the Skyraider was valued for its ability to devastate enemy ground targets. It had four 20-mm guns installed in the wings, and could be equipped with additional combinations of bombs, mines, gun pods and rockets. The Skyraider was large for a single-engine, single-seat low monoplane-its bigger-than-average fuselage had plenty of space for modification and could be used for carrying passengers, medical provisions or heavy cargo

The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Molded metal construction with plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
• opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
• Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
• Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.