Hobby Master Archive

The A-1 Skyraider originated as a carrier-based torpedo and dive bomber. Deliveries as the 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.

On May 1, 1951 eight AD-4 Skyraiders from VA-195, attacked the heavily defended Hwachon Dam that USAF and USN bombers had previously failed to destroy. Armed with old Mk. 13 torpedoes and lead by Commanding Officer Harold “Swede” Carlson flying 123827, the VA-195 AD-4s flew low level through a narrow canyon to the 40-foot wide targets. Though never trained to drop torpedoes, 6 of the 8 hit the target successfully destroying one sluice gate and severely damaging another. This mission is what earned VA- 195 the name “Dambusters”.

Specifications for Douglas Skyraider AD-4 Crew - 1 x pilot First flight - June 1949 First in service - July 1949 Number produced - 372 (AD-4 was the most produced variant)

Powerplant - 1 x Wright R-3350-26WA, normal hp 2,300 @ 2,600 rpm @ sea-level Max speed - 315 kt Service ceiling - 36,500 ft Combat range - 1,100 nmi Fuel capacity Fuselage - 380 US gals Center drop tank - 150 US gals Wing drop tanks (2) - 300 US gals Wingspan - 50 ft Length - 38 ft 11 in Height - 15 ft 8 in Weight Empty - 11,712 lb Gross - 16,700 lb Max load - 24,000 lb Ordnance 4 x 20 mm cannons in wings with 800 rounds 2 x maximum 2,000 lb Mk.51 bombs on inner wing pylons 1 x 2,000 lb bomb under fuselage on center-line. Maximum bomb capacity On ship - 6,500 lb Shore - 9,000 lb

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2905 AD-4 Skyraider BuNo123827, VA-195 Dambusters, 1950s

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.