When Ed Heinemann's Skyraider took to the skies for the first time on March 18, 1945, it was the largest production single-seat aircraft. It had a maximum take-off weight of 25,000 lb. and was armed with 4 20mm cannon and could haul 8,000 lb. of weapons slung from 15 hard-points. Production of this beast lasted over 10 years with the last one rolling off the assembly line in 1957, by which time 3,180 of the type had been produced.

Just narrowly missing service in the second world war, the Skyraider went on to serve with distinction in Korea, Vietnam and in Algeria with the French Air Force. It's massive weapon load and endurance of up to 10 hours were invaluable characteristics of the type. Both the U.S. Navy and USAF used the type and many a downed airman and rescue crew owe their continued freedom to the types ability to pound and suppress the enemy.

This is the Tamiya 1/48th scale A-1H, kit No. 58, and it is every bit as good as any of Tamiya's recent releases. In real life, the Skyraider was a big brute and Tamiya's offering makes up into a big model. On my display shelf, it is comparable in size to Tamiya's Beaufighter.

It seemed to take me forever to finish this kit, as there is loads of underwing stores and a great many options to tempt the modeller. The cockpit is a 6 piece affair, not counting the pilot figure and the instrument panel and side consoles have nicely molded detail that is easily enhanced with painting and dry brushing. As I mentioned, there are options galore. You have a choice of open or closed cowl flaps, open or closed ventral dive brake, raised or lowered wing flaps, open or closed side dive brakes, open or closed canopy.

You get loads of ordnance. You get the centerline fuel tank, a choice of wing mounted fuel tanks or 2000lb bombs and for the outer six hardpoints on each wing, you have a choice of 12 250lb. bombs, 12 5in. HVAR air-to-ground rockets, 4 2.75in. FFAR rocket pods and finally, six 2.75in. rocket tubes.

Tamiya give you three marking options, including my favorite all time Skyraider scheme, VA-176 "Thunderbolts" with their stinging bee on the tail and fuselage sides. Not as colourful, but quite nice is VA-52 "Night Riders" and a rather plain machine from VA-25 "Fist Of The Fleet".

I used Testor's ModelMaster paints and decal solutions and Tenex 7R for glue. There is need for filler or putty of any kind. Sandpaper and steel wool was all that was needed to prep the plane for painting. A truly outstanding effort from Tamiya, let's hope there are more versions on the way.