{"product_id":"1-72-a-4e-skyhawk-300-ah-va-163","title":"1\/72 A4E Skyhawk 300\/AH VA163","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHobby Master - 1\/72 A-4E Skyhawk 300\/AH, VA-163\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned to replace the antiquated, propeller-driven AD Skyraider, the A-4 Skyhawk was first flown on June 22, 1954. Douglas exceeded the original design requirements by delivering a carrier-capable aircraft that was only half the Navy's weight specification and so compact that it did not need folding wings. The A-4 was the first to use \"buddy\" air-to-air refueling (an A-4 could refuel other aircraft of the same type), which was helpful when operating in remote locations where dedicated tankers were impractical. The A-4 served the US Navy until 2003 and remained the preferred warplane for the Marine Corps until the 1980s, even after the introduction of the A-7 Corsair II.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 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 from the military in 1981 and was elected as a Congressman in 1982 and Senator in 1986. John McCain was considered a national hero and great statesman and when he died in 2018 he was given a state funeral usually reserved for U.S. Presidents and U.S. Supreme Court Justices.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- Scale 1:72\u003cbr\u003e- Length: 6.75\" width: 4.5\"\u003cbr\u003e- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components\u003cbr\u003e- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details\u003cbr\u003e- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals\u003cbr\u003e- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors\u003cbr\u003e- Interchangeable extended\/retracted landing gear\u003cbr\u003e- Presentation stand to display the aircraft \"in flight\"\u003cbr\u003e- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards\u003cbr\u003e- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobby Master","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41265163436188,"sku":"HA1429","price":142.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0585\/9095\/3628\/products\/HA1429.jpg?v=1644249407","url":"https:\/\/www.hobbyco.com.au\/products\/1-72-a-4e-skyhawk-300-ah-va-163","provider":"Hobbyco","version":"1.0","type":"link"}