HM McDonnell Douglas A- 4E VA-163 John McCain's downed plane 1/72 diecast model

Description

New in unopened box. See pictures as they are part of the description. Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA1403 Douglas A-4E Skyhawk Diecast Model USN VA-163 Saints, AH300+D5406, John McCain, USS Oriskany, 1967 1:72 Scale Length Width Douglas A-4E Skyhawk 6.75" 4.75" Developed to replace the A-1 Skyraider the A-4 Skyhawk was extremely lightweight maneuverable inexpensive and didn't need folding wings. One of the upgrades saw 499 A-4E's built, some received a lighter weight 8,500 lb thrust engine and some late production planes had the 9,300 lb thrust engines as well as an upper fuselage "hump back" avionics pod added. All had one hard point added under each wing, re-designed center fuselage, air intakes, and airframe strengthening with bomb and navigation upgrades. Because of all the missions and tonnage of weapons delivered the A-4 was dubbed "The Workhorse of Vietnam", this is "The Little Plane That Could". Eight A-4E's were sold to Royal Australian Navy. In July 1967 John Sidney McCain III survived a deck explosion and fire on the USS Forrestal that killed 134. He then joined the USS Oriskany VA-163 Saints and in October 1967 his A-4E Skyhawk was shot down over Vietnam. Released after 5 1/2 years in prison John retired in 1981 and was elected as a Congressman in 1982 and Senator in 1986. While in the Navy McCain was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and the DFC.