A-4M Skyhawk Light Attack Aircraft. Magic Factory MF5002. Scale 1:48

A-4M Skyhawk Light Attack Aircraft. Scale 1:48

MF5002 - Magic Factory 

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer McDonnell Douglas.

The Skyhawk was developed during the early 1950s on behalf of the U.S. Navy and US Marine Corps as a replacement for the propeller-driven Douglas A01 (AD) Skyraider.

The A-4 is a compact, straightforward, and lightweight aircraft for the era. Its maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds (11,100 kg) being roughly half of the Navy's weight specification. The Skyhawk has a short-span delta wing configuration, a tricycle undercarriage, and is powered by a single turbojet engine.

The Skyhawk's five hardpoints support a variety of missiles, bombs, and other munitions. It is capable of carrying a bomb load equivalent to that of the World War II-era  Boeing B-17 bomber, and can deliver nuclear weapons using a low-altitude bombing system and a "loft" delivery technique.

Furthermore, it pioneered the concept of "buddy" air to air refueling, enabling an aircraft to supply others and reduce the need for dedicated aerial tankers. The Skyhawk was in production through to February 1979, by which point 2,960 aircraft had been delivered to a variety of operators. 555 aircraft alone were built as dedicated two-seat trainers.

The Skyhawk saw active combat on several occasions. The U.S. Navy operated the type as its principal light attack aircraft during the Vietnam War, carrying out some of the first air strikes by the US during the conflict.

Kit highlights:

• 2 in 1 kit so that you can build either the A-4M or the A-4M Early
  
• Including detailed cockpit electronics
• Ability to open Nose Cone and Cockpit hatches
• Accurately detailed Slats, Aileron, Speed Brake, Horizontal Stabiliser, Elevator and Rudder
  
• Horizontal stabiliser is a linkage part
• Ram Air Turbine can be modelled Open or Closed
  
• Detailed boarding ladder can be fitted to models plugs
  

Requires glue and paint to complete but these are NOT included.