Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1435 Douglas A-4F Skyhawk 155208, VMA-142 "Flying Gators", 1984. 1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 4.75" Wingspan, 6.75" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in the early 1950s. Primary Role: Attack Aircraft, Fighter, Aggressor Aircraft.Designed to replace the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider the Skyhawk first flew in 1954. Its small size was a radical departure from the normal ôBigö thinking of the time. The USN first took delivery in late 1956 with the USMC receiving theirs 3 months later. Over the years many nicknames were used, ôTinker Toyö, ôHeinemannÆs Hotrodö (the designer was Ed Heinemann), with the E and F models labeled the ôCamelö because of the electronics hump along the dorsal. Probably the most well known nickname used for the 2,960 A-4Æs that were produced is ôScooterö.

VMA-142 ôFlying Gatorsö was established in 1942 as VMSB-142, deactivated in 1945 only to be reactivated in July 1946 as VMF-142. In 1990 they became VMFA-142. In the early 1970Æs the squadron was first equipped with the A-4L before transitioning to the A-4F. The A-4F was ordered in 1965 and differed from the previous A-4E with the addition of steerable nose wheels, wing lift spoilers and upgraded ejection seats. The A-4F also had the hump-back dorsal and bent re-fuel probe. In the 1980s the unit began transitioning to the AV-8B Harrier.