Trumpeter Aircraft 1/32 A4E Skyhawk Attack Aircraft Kit
The A-4 Skyhawk was first designed in the mid-1950s as a lightweight, agile attack aircraft. In its numerous versions, the Skyhawk served the US Navy and Marine Corps in peace and in combat into the 1970s. While the Navy transitioned into the A-7 Corsair II, the Marines opted for a new version of the Skyhawk as a stop-gap until the next generation of attack aircraft was available that could meet the unique mission needs of the Marines.
The A-4E was the first in the series to be designed with five external pylons versus the earlier three, thanks in part to a switch in engines from the Wright J65 to the Pratt & Whitney J52 rated at 8400 lbs of thrust. The A-4F was an updated A-4E with 900 lbs more thrust and the introduction of an avionics hump (which was retrofitted to the A-4E and other models).
The A-4E/F would serve as one of the primary strike aircraft for the US Navy and Marine Corps during Vietnam, and even after the Navy transitioned out of the Skyhawk in favor of the LTV A-7 Corsair II, Skyhawks remained in service in a variety of support roles, not the least of which was serving as a surrogate to the MiG-17 in Top Gun and then as a general dissimilar adversary aircraft for many years. The A-4F remained with the Blue Angel team as a low-cost performer for 12 years before the team transition into their current F/A-18 Hornets.
- Nicely detailed Escapac ejection seat
- Detailed cockpit (never mind the panel decals)
- Positionable canopy
- Detailed gun sight
- Choice of metal or styrene main landing gear struts
- Detailed J52 engine
- Full-depth intake ducts and tail pipe
- Positionable engine access bay door
- Separately molded tail section (display removed w/your own dolly)
- Avionics bays with positionable bay doors in nose
- Full length engine intake ducts with engines at the ends
- Nicely detailed wheel wells
- Positionable leading edge slats
- Positionable trailing edge flaps
- Positionable ailerons
- Positionable elevators/stabilizers
- Postionable rudders
- Positionable speed brakes
- Photo-etched details inside the speed brakes
- Rubber tires
- Choice of avionics hump or hump-free dorsal
- Chaff/flare launchers
- Choice of underwing pylon types
Weapons/externals:
- 2 x AGM-65 (three included in kit)
- 6 x Mk.117 750lb bombs
- 6 x Mk.82 slicks
- 6 x Mk.82 Snakeyes
- 2 x AGM-45 Shrike
- 2 x AGM-12 Bullpup
- 2 x TERs
- 2 x MERs
- 2 x external fuel tanks
Markings are provided for three examples:
- A-4E, BuNo 149993, VA-72, AC/303, USS Independence, 1964
- A-4E, BuNo 150131, VA-212, NP/208, USS Hancock, 1964
- A-4E, BuNo 151118, VA-43, AD/320, Adversary
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