NAVY Skyhawk A-4D vintage desktop model by Douglas Aircraft Company

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A true piece of American history, and a fabulous gift for the holidays! Comes with original and authentic Douglas Aircraft Company A4D Skyhawk stand. In great condition, it has been well cared for, please see pictures. The actual model airplane dimensions: Wingspan: 7 inches Length: 10 inches145.00 Height: 7 inches Douglasbuilt 2,960 Skyhawks between 1954 and 1979. Built small to be cost effective and so that more could be accommodated on a carrier, the lightweight, high-speed bombers were affectionately nicknamed "Heinemann's Hot Rod" (after Douglas designer Ed Heinemann), the Bantam Bomber, Mighty Mite and Scooter. Skyhawks provided the U.S. Navy and Marines and friendly nations with maneuverable, yet powerful, attack bombers that had great altitude and range capabilities, plus an unusual flexibility in armament capacity. The Skyhawk A4D was roughly half the empty weight of its contemporaries and could fly at 677 mph at sea level. After 1956, it had provisions for in-flight refueling, and it carried anti-radar missiles on its wing racks. After 1966, it included a hump-like avionics pod. Upgraded models had improved engines and a drogue parachute, new avionics displays, larger cockpit canopies, and more ammunition for the two cannons. Two-seat trainer versions included the TA-4F, TA-4J and the TA-4K Series. Its combat career began with the first American carrier-launched raids on North Vietnam, Aug. 4, 1964. Later, during Israel's Yom Kippur war in 1973, Skyhawks provided much of the short-range striking power on the Sinai and Golan Heights fronts. The Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron flew the A-4 Skyhawk II from 1974 to 1986. Skyhawks were also used by the armed forces of Argentina, Australia, Israel, Kuwait, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and New Zealand, and they remained active with several air services into the 2000s. The actual airplane dimensions: First flight: June 22, 1954 Wingspan: 27 feet 6 inches Length: 41 feet 4 inches Height: 15 feet Ceiling: 40,600 feet Weight: 19,833 pounds Power plant: One 11,187-pound-thrust P&W J52-P408 engine " The letter "A" stood for the aircraft mission: Attack. The "4D" indicated it was the fourth attack aircraft manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company (later McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing). Early in the A4D's history, Douglas Aircraft referred to any export verison of the A4D as the "DA101". This designation saw little useage. Legend has it that the current military aircraft designation system took root one day in 1962 when then Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara was confused during a discussion of two Navy fighter aircraft -- the Douglas F4D Skyray and the McDonnell F4H Phantom. Mr. McNamara apparently was surprised to discover that the two F4s were different aircraft. Consequently, Mr. McNamara decreed that a standard designation system be established and, since October 1962, all military aircraft have been identified by the new (and current) system: The initial letter designates the aircraft mission -- "A" for Attack, "F" for Fighter, "T" for Trainer, etc.; " -Wynn Foster *Last two photos are credited to Vatche Mitilian Please note we are a small family selling from our basement, we are not a big eBay machine. As such, please come to us with all questions and concerns before placing a bid or submitting a best offer, as we go above and beyond to make sure you receive the item quickly and in the exact condition it is listed in. We are happy to answer questions to the best of our knowledge, so please ask away! and Cheers from our family to yours! :) read more

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