A-4M Skyhawk "Blacksheep", 160030, VMA-214, US Marines, 1989, 1:72 Hobby Master HM-HA1436

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A-4M Skyhawk "Blacksheep", 160030, VMA-214, US Marines, 1989

A-4M Skyhawk "Blacksheep", 160030, VMA-214, US Marines, 1989

$99.95

SKU:

HM-HA1436

Brand:

Hobby Master

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Hobby Master 1:72 HA1436
A-4M Skyhawk "Blacksheep", 160030, VMA-214, US Marines, 1989

Scale:
1:72 Length:
6.75" Width:
4.75" Composition:
Diecast SKU:
HM-HA1436 Period:
Modern

Hobby Master 1:72 HA1436 A-4M Skyhawk "Blacksheep", 160030, VMA-214, US Marines, 1989
Scale: 1:72	Length: 6.75"	Width: 4.75"	Composition: Diecast	SKU: HM-HA1436	Period: Modern

Historical Note:

Historical:

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.

The USMC wanted an attack aircraft that could provide close air support and could operate from short airfields close to the front lines. The McDonnell Douglas A-4M was designed specifically for the Marine requirements and was chosen over the Ling-Temco Vought A-7. The new A-4M engine was an updated version of the J52 that was rated at 11,200 lb.s.t. This was a huge 20 percent increase in power with only a 1 percent increase in the engines weight. Douglas also added smokeless burner cans to reduce the amount of visible exhaust and all this was done without increasing fuel consumption. A new electrical power generator provided 60 percent more energy so a self-contained engine starter was added. The pilot was given a larger canopy that was three inches wider and greatly increased his all round view. A drag chute was provided to help with landing on short airstrips. A new re-fueling probe that was canted out was added so it wouldn't interfere with the target-acquisition system. A new IFF antenna was needed so the A-4M tail was squared off. The new M model first flew on April 10, 1970 and the last A-4 was accepted on February 27 1979. After 27 years of producing the Skyhawk this made it the longest production run of any U.S. tactical aircraft up to that date. The total production of the A-4M variant was 160 aircraft.

Info: A-4M Skyhawk "Blacksheep", 160030, VMA-214, US Marines, 1989

Product Videos

Its Weapons Were Half Its Weight - Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (10:51)

Leading Douglas aviation engineer Ed Heinemann wanted to take a different approach when designing a replacement for the Navy’s AD1 Skyraider warplanes in 1952. In a bold proposal, he decided to replace one of the biggest single-engine fighter-bombers ever built with one of the smallest, lightest attack jets to date. Military aviation history shows that sometimes going cheap is the ideal call, and there is no better proof than the fascinating case of the A-4 Skyhawk, one of the most influential warplanes in American history. The Skyhawk’s modest but trusty array of features would engrave its place in the canon of aviation annals as the US Navy’s workhorse aircraft during the Vietnam War, flown by notable pilots such as Lieutenant Commander John McCain. To this date, the cheap but ubiquitous warplane known as “Tinkertoy Jet” is fondly remembered as it valiantly swooped down over the dangerous Vietnamese jungles to deliver American firepower to the most remote enemy entrenchments of the Indochina peninsula. The Skyhawk was neither extremely fast nor particularly agile or technologically groundbreaking. Still, it was small, versatile, reliable, and almost half its weight were weapons! --- Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between. As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.