Douglas A4 Skyhawk: Warpaint #121 softcover
Born out of a United States Navy (USN) requirement for a carrier-based, tactical, nuclear strike aircraft and designed under the supervision of the Douglas Aircraft Company's Edward H.Heinemann, the Skyhawk went on to become one of the USN and United States Marine Corps (USMC) iconic aircraft of the Vietnam War. Based around Heinemann's concept of 'keep it light, keep it simple' the Skyhawk evolved from a light-weight nuclear strike aircraft to an aircraft capable of hauling large amounts of ordnance by comparison to its size and with it a proven ability to accept damage and survive. It also served in the training, carrier qualification, 'buddy' tanker and target facilities roles. Originally designated A4D under the USN's designation system, but better know from 1961 as the A-4, the Skyhawk was built in large numbers at Douglas' and later McDonnell Douglas' factories at El Segundo and Long Beach. The prototype Skyhawk flew for the first time on 22nd June 1954 and entered USN service with Attack Squadron VA-72 at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in August 1956 and with the USMC the following month at Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. Thereafter, the Skyhawk flew with in excess of fifty USN front line attack units and some fifteen units with the USMC, followed by a long career with the reserves and training squadrons, before it was retired from the USMC in June 1994 and the USN in September 1999. In addition to service with the USN and USMC, the Skyhawk served with the Argentinian Air Force and Navy, the Australian Navy, the Brazilian Navy, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Kuwait Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force, the Indonesian Air Force, the Israeli Air Force, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Malaysian Air Force. After retirement from military service Skyhawks operated under civilian registration in the US, Canada and Germany, where they are still flying, and with heritage organisations across North America. Overall, quite a record for an aircraft that never, thankfully, flew operationally in its intended role. This 144 page book is written by Ian White and is superbly illustrated by Richard J. Caruana.
Published 2019, 140 pages, black & white and colour photographs, 55 colour profiles, 1:72 scale plans, model, decal and accessory list, softcover, A4 Format, 210 cm (8 1/4”) x 29.7 cm (11 3/4 “)
Warpaint Series
Designed with both the aircraft enthusiast and the model maker in mind, the publishers of the Warpaint series try to establish as near as possible a comprehensive and accurate account of a single aircraft type within one set of covers. Each book sets standards in the quality of the history and the accuracy of the drawings both in colour, side and plan view and the 1:72nd scale plans that appear in each one.
Aircraft titles range from World War 2 to the post war period, and include a majority of RAF and Fleet Air Arm aircraft but also feature many USAAF, USAF, US Navy and Luftwaffe machines. Variety is the keyword in the attempt to satisfy as many specialist interest groups as possible during the year. Few contemporary aircraft are featured as an attempt is made to write and illustrate the definitive history of the aircraft involved, although it is appreciated that in some cases there might be a few still flying in non-operational roles.
The publishers employ authors who have established reputations in aircraft historical journalism where their own notes and files can produce facts and data that may, in many cases, not have been published hitherto. Artists used for the illustrations are also well-established in their field and very knowledgeable on camouflage colours and the use of computer generated art work which adds so much to the completeness of the finished book.
Warpaint books on aircraft set the standards that others would like to follow...
-Complete and detailed history
-1:72nd scale plans
-In detail photographs
-Kit, decal and accessory list
-Pages of superb colour camouflage drawings, colour, and black and white photography
-Complete production list
-Squadrons, units and individual aircraft serials and codes
-Comprehensive specifications
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