Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA37402
Douglas A-4F Skyhawk Diecast Model
USN Blue Angels, #3, NAS Pensacola, FL, 1974-1978 | Limited Edition
1100
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Douglas A-4F Skyhawk | | 6.75" | | 4.75" |
At the end of WorldWar II, Chester W. Nimitz, Chief of Naval Operations ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team. The Blue Angels performed their first display in June 1946 flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat. By the end of the 1940s they were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. After the Korean War the team reformed at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, remaining there until 1954 when they relocated to their present home at NAS Pensacola, Florida, progressing to the sweptwing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar. The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (1957) and the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (1969). In December 1974, the Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk and was redesignated as the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron.
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. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Skyhawk series includes the early "E" variant as well as the "F" and "M" variants, which feature a hump on top the fuselage spine to house the upgraded avionics package. The models in this series are surprisingly heavy, constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic. Each release features a pair of 20mm cannons, a delicate refueling probe and a variety of wing-mounted weapons ordnance and fuel tanks. This sturdy little model includes a pilot figure and easily configurable landing gear for ground or in-flight display.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
