1/48 Tamiya A-1H Skyraider |
Gallery Article by Massimo
Busolini
on
Dec 23 2003
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During
1943 the U. S. Bureau of Aeronautics considered to combine the tasks of torpedo
bomber and dive-bomber into one. Several
aircraft manufacturers, such as DOUGLAS and MARTIN, were requested to develop a
large, single-seat attack aircraft. According to the requirement, Douglas
SKYRAIDER, was developed by Douglas Aircraft Company, inc.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The
development was started in early July 1944, and all night efforts of engineers
made the first prototype’s first flight possible already on March 18, 1945.
Despite of the short period of the development, flight trials proved the
airframe’s flight characteristics satisfactory and the aircraft was rated very
highly. In May 1945 a letter of intent for 598 production was signed.
The name “SKYRAIDER” was officially approved for the aircraft in February of
the following year, and the distribution to units was started at the end of the
same year.
The
Skyraider was powered by wright R3350 radial engine yielding 2,800 horse power
and equipped with three large dive brakes on the fuselage. The Skyraider
had a number of types, from the AD-1 to AD-7, recording grand total number of
production of more than 3,000.
Among them, AD-6 was the most produced variant. The AD designation
for the Skyraider was changed in 1962, and the AD-6 became the A-1H. Noted
for its durability and a large capacity, for external stores, the Skyraider was
well liked by its pilots and crewmen!!!
The
kit is very simple:
Very
as precise as always, the TAMIYA A-1H one builds without many difficults, and
for the colouring I have chosen the one of the VA-176 “Thunderbolts”, AK409,
operating in October 1966.
In
the colouring work, I have enjoyed myself very much, how you can see!!!!!!A
greeting and a good work everybody!!!!!!