1/48 Douglas A-1 Skyraider US Navy

Tamiya's Skyraider is here and it's all you could ever hope for! With the quality of Tamiya's recent releases, I could just write "It's perfect in every way. Buy it. Build it" and I wouldn't be far off the mark.

As usual, the kit includes numerous features: Cowl flaps can be open or closed; flaps can be up or down; dive brakes (all 3) can be open or closed. Plenty of external ordnance is also included: 12 250 lb. bombs, 12 5 in. HVAR rockets, four 2.75 in. FFAR rocket pod, six 2.75 in. rocket tubes, two 2000 lb. bombs and three drop tanks. Note that the 2000 lb. bombs and drop tanks are attached to the hard points via those rubber gasket-like "poly-caps" which allows you to remove and replace them at will after the kit is completed! (An idea suggested to Tamiya by myself two years ago...they do listen!!). Markings are included for three units: VA-176 Thunderbolts on Intrepid (see box art), VA-25 "The Fist of the Fleet" on Midway, and VA-52 "Knight Riders" on Ticonderoga.