A-4D Skyhawk VA-15, USS Intrepid, 1967 (1:72) by Hobby Master Diecast Airplanes
Item Number: HA1416
Designed as a lightweight low-cost attack and ground support jet for the US Navy and eventually the USMC to replace the A-1 Skyraider the A-4 Skyhawk was first delivered in late 1956. It weighed less than half the Navy'_'_'_'_'_'__s requirements and small enough not to need folding wings for carrier operations. The Navy started replacing the A-4 in 1967 with the A-7 Corsair II but production continued until 1979 when the Marines started to replace the A-4 with the Harrier. More than ten other countries flew the A-4.
On August 2, 1948 VA-2A was re-designated VA-15 (Attack Squadron Fifteen). VA-15 '_'_'_'_'_'__Valions'_'_'_'_'_'__ spent two tours in Vietnam, one in 1966 and again from May 11, 1967 to December 30, 1967, both times aboard CVS 11 USS Intrepid. In December 1966 VA-15 began to transition to the A-4C Skyhawk but several A-4Bs also made the second tour. A-4B BuNo 145013 was one of the aircraft assigned to USS Intrepid. On June 1, 1969 VA-15 was disestablished and merged with VA67. On June 2, 1969 the new combined unit was re-assigned VA-15 and adopted the Valions name and insignia.
Technical Specifications A-4B
Wing Span: 27 ft 6 in
Length: 39 ft 5 in
Height: 15 ft
Weight: 20,000 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed: 664 mph
Service Ceiling: 47,900 ft
Range: 1,160 miles
Engines: 1 Wright J65-W-20 turbojet, 8,400 lbs thrust
Crew: 1