Small Scale Military Headquarters

Anyone going to buy John McCain's A-4E Skyhawk models?

There are two 1/72 diecast versions from Corgi and Hobby Master (I've seen two Corgi--the USS ORISKANY and USS FORRESTAL versions--I read that Corgi switched from the ORISKANY version to the FORRESTAL version because Hobby Master's version is the ORISKANY).

http://www.aikensairplanes.com/corgi/us37404.htm

http://www.badcataviation.com/askvajomc1ho.html

http://www.flyingmule.com/products/CG-US37404

I don't collect modern planes (I have a Mirage 2000C that I got for free with the purchase of a bunch of other used planes at MHII) but I would seriously consider buying both McCain's A-4Es. I don't like Republicans generally but I really like McCain.

My local Hobbytown USA store has the Hobbymaster version of McCain's Skyhawk. It has tempted me for weeks. I am a McCain fan, and whether or not he wins the 2008 race, it would be an interesting historical piece to have

I am a McCain fan, and whether or not he wins the 2008 race, it would be an interesting historical piece to have

Since Senator McCain is from my home state of Arizona, I suppose I would have to say I'm a fan of his too. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the story, McCain's Skyhawk on the Forrestal was struck by a Zuni missile that fired off the wing of an F-4 Phantom on the deck of the Forrestal due to an electrical system malfunction. The Skyhawk was fully loaded with fuel and ordnance for a strike mission over North Vietnam, and the resulting conflagration nearly sunk the Forrestal. Anyone who wants to read about this should get a copy of the book "Sailors To The End".

TMANTHEGREAT:

I'm a big McCain fan. too.
I'm tempted to buy one of the A-4s.
The Hobby Master ORISKANY (blue)doesn't come with a pilot but has a lower price. The Corgi, if I'm not mistaken, has a pilot, but is either in the FORRESTAL version (red) or ORISKANY (blue) and has a higher price. Based on the Flyingmule photo, assuming it's accurate, the FORRESTAL (red) version dosesn't look as good as the ORISKANY (blue) version.
Maybe I'll ask Hillary to decide for me.

I'm going to wait for the BBI 1/32 release.

OLIFANT:

Considering BBI's release rate, BBI's 1/32 McCain A-4E will be released when President John McCain's son is elected president.

However, if John McCain had flown a P-51, 21st Century would have released a 1/18 McCain P-51 two years ago and a 1/32 McCain P-51 last year and 8 repaints since then.

dragon53 wrote:OLIFANT:

Considering BBI's release rate, BBI's 1/32 McCain A-4E will be released when President John McCain's son is elected president.

However, if John McCain had flown a P-51, 21st Century would have released a 1/18 McCain P-51 two years ago and a 1/32 McCain P-51 last year and 8 repaints since then.

You are correct dragon. But a guy can wish!

and a 1/32 McCain P-51 last year and 8 repaints since then.

LOL...that's true, I mean the number of 32X P-51's and repaints is amazing, but they must be good sellers cause' they just keep cranking em' out.

OSTKETTEN:

If so, I wish McCain had flown an F-15 and and an F-4....I yearn for a BBI 1/32 F-15C, F-15E and a Steve Ritchie F-4D.

According to customer reviews on Bacat, the Hobby Master McCain A-4 has problems---the triple ejector racks, weapons and a missing Doppler antenna have been mentioned.

These don't come with little J. McCs, do they?

ITCBJ:

Apparently the Corgi has a 1/72 president/pilot. The Hobby Master doesn't have a pilot-----but Testors will be re-releasing its phony 1/48 F-19 Stealth Fighter model with a Hillary Clinton phony combat veteran pilot.

Will the aircraft be modeled in a "banking to the left death spiral" configuration? Or will the landing gear be permanently extended so as to be permanently grounded?

oh yes- that isn't itcbj. it's LTCBJ