Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2914 Douglas A-1H Skyraider TS/53-137628, 22nd SOS, 56th SOW, South Vietnam

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.

The A-1 Skyraider originated as a carrier-based torpedo and dive bomber. Deliveries as the AD-1 to the Navy began in November 1946 and in 1962 was renamed A-1. It was the first 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.

The 22nd Special Operations Squadron (SOS) operated in Southeast Asia from October 25, 1968 until September 30, 1970. During the Vietnam War the 22nd SOS was assigned to the 56th Special Operations Wing (SOW) at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base and equipped with the Douglas A-1H Skyraider. The 22nd SOS flew interdiction over the Ho Chi Minh Trail using call sign Zorro. A-1H TS 53-137628 also supported rescue of downed pilots. The shark mouth was added to TS 53-137628 as a friendly poke at F-4 pilots. TS 53-137628 was lost in 1971.

Specification of Douglas AD-6 Skyraider re-designated the A-1H in 1962 Performance Engine - (1) 2,500 hp Wright R-3350-26WA Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder air- cooled radial, rated at 2,600 hp for takeoff and 2,100 hp at 14,000 feet. Maximum Speed 342 mph at 15,400 ft 319 mph at sea level Cruising Speed - 180 mph Combat Ceiling - 29,400 ft Combat Radius - 275 miles with 2,000 lbs of bombs Maximum Ferry Range - 3,240 miles Weights Empty - 12,070 lbs Normal Loaded - 18,400 lbs Maximum - 24,000 lbs Dimensions Length - 39 ft 3 in Height - 15 ft 8 in Wingspan - 50 ft 1/4 in Wing Area - 400.33 sq ft Armament (4) 20-mm cannon in the wing (6) Racks underneath each outer wing (1) Pylon under each inner wing (1) Pylon underneath the fuselage centerline