This project, begun on August 1, 2021, is intended to commemorate the Skyraider's first ever combat use. AD-4's from VA-55 aboard USS Valley Forge (CV-45) were launched on July 3, 1950 on a strike against Communist air bases near Pyongyang N. Korea. Coincidentally, this strike also marked the first ever use of US Navy jets (F9F Panthers) in combat.
The model is the Tamiya 1/48 A-1H with a significant amount of airframe modification, scratch building, in house design and 3D printing as well as aftermarket resources to accurately backdate it to an early 1950 shipboard AD-4 bomber.
I will be representing one of the first Able Dogs off the boat; aircraft #502 BuNo.123843. Through the good offices of MC Frank Turchi and the technical staff at the Museum of Naval Aviation, I am comfortable with the weapons loadout of 2x500lb and 6x100lb GP bombs as well as the paint and marking scheme for the day in question.
I hope you enjoy the project. Updates will come as they are accomplished, so check back often. As always, suggestions and comments are certainly welcome.
