Douglas A-4E Skyhawk

USN VF-126 Bandits, Blue 55, USNFWS TOPGUN, NAS Miramar, CA, 1985

Hobby Master 1:72 HA1441

In an effort to improve the poor performance of USN aircrews in Vietnam the USN Fighter Weapons School was established in 1969 at NAS Miramar, California. The first aircraft used by the school to teach the F-4 pilots better tactics were the A-4 Skyhawk and the F-5 Freedom Fighters. A-4E Bu.No. 151095 s/n 55 c/n 13265 was flown by Lt. "Mick" Michell (not Mitchell) at the Top Gun School and this same aircraft was used as "Jester's" (Michael Ironside) aircraft in the 1986 movie "Top Gun" with Tom Cruise.

Douglas A-4E Skyhawk
Designed to replace the antiquated, propeller-driven AD Skyraider, the A-4 Skyhawk was first flown on June 22, 1954. Douglas exceeded the original design requirements by delivering a carrier-capable aircraft that was only half the Navy's weight specification and so compact that it did not need folding wings. The A-4 was the first to use "buddy" air-to-air refueling (an A-4 could refuel other aircraft of the same type), which was helpful when operating in remote locations where dedicated tankers were impractical. The A-4 served the US Navy until 2003 and remained the preferred warplane for the Marine Corps until the 1980s, even after the introduction of the A-7 Corsair II.

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.