Hasegawa 1/72 AD-6 Skyraider "VA-65 Tigers"
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Overview
Designed at the end of the Second World War, the Douglas AD Skyraider proved itself time and again, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam wars as well as several African conflicts. In the US Navy, the Skyraider saw frontline service for over two decades. During the Vietnam War the Skyraider operated alongside jet aircraft, including its supposed replacements, but its long range and impressive payload kept it on the front lines. Twice the Skyraider engaged jet fighters in combat and came out victorious, with two MiG-17s falling to the guns of Skyraiders: one each from VA-25 and VA-176.
The Kit
The Hasegawa Skyraider kit has been around for a while, but it remains the best choice for a 1/72 AD. Molded in light gray plastic, the kit features recessed panel lines throughout and overall crisp surface detailing. As is common with Hasegawa kits, there is minimal armament provided here, although this release does provide an interesting set of bazooka tubes. The decals provide a couple of colorful marking options.
Starting with the cockpit, this is a typical Hasegawa 1/72 interior, with all the detail coming from decals. The seat is decent, but lacks seat belts. With the addition of some belts, the stock interior would be fine for a closed canopy. For those wanting to open the canopy, though, some additional work is needed. Once the cockpit is done to your satisfaction, you can button up the fuselage.
With the fuselage together, you can then add the engine. This is provided as a half-engine insert, which is actually all you need for a Skyraider, thanks to the interior cowl flaps. The engine face has a separate crankcase piece, and those aforementioned interior cowl flaps are also separate. When all put together and put behind the front cowl ring, you'll have a good looking engine out of the box.
Up next are the wings, and these are split into three pieces: a one-piece lower wing and two separate upper halves. Flip this over and be ready to put a lot of pylons on, as the Skyraider carried a lot under its wings. As noted, you'll have to find weapons elsewhere (like, the Hasegawa weapons sets), but you do get two wing drop tanks and a centerline tank, plus the four bazooka tubes. The landing gear is simple and sturdy, just like the real thing, and with all that in place, it's time to paint.
The markings in this kit are both US Navy aircraft, finished in the gull gray and white scheme. The first option is the scheme seen on the boxtop, from VA-65 "Tigers" off the USS Enterprise. This is a colorful scheme with an orange rudder and lightning bolt. The second scheme is from VA-165 off the USS Oriskany and is the commander's aircraft, complete with multi-colored tail chevron. Either scheme will look nice on the finished model. Just remember, the Skyraider was not a clean plane, so be ready for some heavy weathering to get it to look right.
Conclusion
This is a welcome re-issue from Hasegawa, as there are lots of great color schemes for the Skyraider out there. I know that I have a few aftermarket decal sheets that I could use here, but the kit markings are also quite colorful, making that choice all the more difficult. My thanks to Hasegawa USA for the review sample.