Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001638
Vought F-8E Crusader Diecast Model
USN VF-53 Iron Angels, NF209, USS Hancock, Vietnam, 1967 | Limited Edition
1000
Pieces Worldwide |
|
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Vought F-8E Crusader | | 9.25" | | 5.75" |
US Navy Fighter Squadron 53 (VF-53) Iron Angels was the new designation given to Fighter Squadron 141 (VF-141) on February 4th, 1953. It traded its F3H Demons for F-8 Crusaders that same year. The squadron deployed to Vietnam three times aboard the USS Ticonderoga between January 1963 and May 1966. It then deployed to Vietnam once more In January 1967 aboard the USS Hancock, returning the US in July 1967. The Iron Angels deployed to Vietnam with their Crusaders three more times aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard from January 1968 to November 1970. Shortly after its return, the squadron was disestablished on January 29th, 1971.
Designed to meet a USN requirement for a supersonic air-superiority fighter, the Chance-Vought F-8 (originally F8U) was first flown on March 25th, 1955. The F-8 was the last American fighter to use guns as a primary weapon. Its powerplant was nearly identical to the one used by the F-100 Super Sabre, and it was the world's first carrier-based aircraft to break the speed of sound. The US Navy used the Crusader in a traditional dogfighting interceptor role, while the Marines operated it as a strike/attack aircraft. Both flew the F-8 during the Vietnam War, and it remained in service for more than four decades. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Century Wings' 1:72 scale F-8 Crusader series is masterfully modeled; joining seam lines blend almost undetectably with the model's panel lines. These F-8s feature metal horizontal stabilizers that rotate in unison and a pivoting main wing, which replicates the wing's position during take-offs and landings. There are removable bomb loads under each wing and three different ordnance configurations for mounting on the sides of the fuselage. The canopy opens to reveal a highly detailed cockpit interior and leaves no gaps when snapped shut. Special releases in this series feature a "launch configuration," with wing flaps and forward leading edges permanently in the deployed position.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Century Wings "1:72 Wings of Heroes" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Century Wings 1:72 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.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Selected moveable control surfaces.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Detailed removable pilot and crew figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
