Description

A4C Skyhawk (US Navy, “MIG-17 Killer”, BuNo 148609, VA-76, USS Bon Homme Richard, 1st May, 1967) (Hobbymaster Diecast model HA1427)

Category Aircraft Models, Subcategory 1:72 Hobby Master, Scale 1 : 72, ISBN/Box HA1427, Publisher Hobbymaster

True 1/72 scale
Professionally painted
Great attention to detail
All markings are Tampoed (pad applied)
Option to display the model on a stand that is provided
Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions
Canopy displays open or closed
Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic
Highly collectable

Designed to replace the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider the Skyhawk first flew in 1954. Its small 
size was a radical departure from the normal Big thinking of the time. The USN first took 
delivery in late 1956 with the USMC receiving theirs 3 months later. Over the years many 
nicknames were used, Tinker Toy, Heinemanns Hotrod (the designer was Ed 
Heinemann), with the E and F models labeled the Camel because of the electronics 
hump along the dorsal. Probably the most well known nickname used for the 2,960 A-4s 
that were produced is Scooter.

Douglas A-4C Skyhawk 148609 c/n 12802 was delivered to VA-64 in 1961. After 
spending time with VA-64 and VA72 148609 was assigned to VA-76 Spirits in 1964 as 
NP-685. VA-76 was deployed to Vietnam on board the USS Bon Homme Richard when 
on May 1, 1967 LCDR Ted “T.R.” Swartz flying 148609 shot down a MiG-17 over
North Vietnam with an unguided Zuni missile making this the only time a Skyhawk scored 
an air-to-air victory during the Vietnam War. 148609 was lost in June 1972 after a mid-air 
collision.

Specifications McDonnell Douglas A-4C
Crew 1 Pilot

Dimensions
Length 40ft 3in
Wingspan 27ft 6in
Height 14ft 11in

Weight
Empty 10,450 lbs
Loaded 18,300 lbs
Gross 24,500 lbs

Performance
Powerplant 1 x Wright J-65-W-20 non-afterburning turbojet, 8,200 lbs. of thrust
Maximum Speed 673 mph
Combat Radius 1,000 miles
Ferry Range 2,130 miles
Service Ceiling 42,250 ft
Maximum Rate of Climb 8,440 ft/min