AD-3/4 Skyraider Over Korea

Sword, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

 

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider (formerly designated AD before the 1962 unification of Navy and Air Force designations) is an American single-seat attack aircraft in service from 1946 to the early 1980s, which served during the Korean War and Vietnam War.

The Skyraider had an unusually long career, remaining in frontline service well into the Jet Age when most piston-engine attack or fighter aircraft were replaced by jet aircraft; thus becoming known by some as an anachronism.

The aircraft was nicknamed "Spad", after the French World War I fighter. It was operated by the United States Navy (USN), the United States Marine Corps (USMC), and the United States Air Force (USAF), and also saw service with the British Royal Navy, the French Air Force, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF), and others.

It remained in U.S. service until the early 1970s.

Korean War Service

During the Korean War, AD Skyraiders were flown by only the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, and were normally painted in Gloss Sea Blue.

Marine Corps Skyraiders suffered heavy losses when used in low-level close-support missions. To allow low-level operations to continue without unacceptable losses, a package of additional armor was fitted, consisting of 0.25–0.5 inches (6.4–12.7 mm) thick external aluminum armor plates fitted to the underside and sides of the aircraft's fuselage. The armor package weighed a total of 618 pounds (280 kg) and had little effect on performance or handling.

A total of 128 Navy and Marine AD Skyraiders were lost in the Korean War – 101 in combat and 27 to operational causes. Most operational losses were due to the tremendous power of the AD: ADs that were"waved-off during carrier recovery operations risked performing a fatal torque roll into the sea or the deck of the aircraft carrier if the pilot mistakenly gave the AD too much throttle. The torque of the engine was so great that it would cause the aircraft to rotate about the propeller and slam into the sea or the carrier

Sword's latest release is a 1/72 scale AD-3/4 Skyraider.

The end-opening box features attractive artwork.

The kit comprises around 130 parts in grey plastic (incl. one not for use), three parts in clear; decals for four marking options; self-adhesive dire-cut masks. These are all packed in a large single ziplock clear plastic bag.

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Thumbnail panels:

The grey plastic parts are moulded onto two sprues with fine attachment points.

Being a limited run kit, there are none of the little luxuries such as locating pins and tabs, (except the horizontal tail planes that feature small raised nubs) so take time when aligning and gluing the plastic parts. The quality of the plastic is very good.

Surface textures, including fine consistent recessed panel lines, are really well done.

The cockpit is simply broken down with sidewall detail moulded onto the tub. Side console switch and throttle detail is nice. Moulding is crisp and detail is good.

The instrument panel is a single plastic part with simple recessed circles. It would have been nice to have the option of an overlay decal with instrument dial and side console detail here but you're on your own.

You'll need to supply your own harness straps too.

The engine cylinders, pushrods are moulded as a single part. Two crank case options are offered - one looking conventional with magnetos and other details, and the second that looks like a cover with cooling slots.

Landing gear bays are boxed in using multiple plastic parts. The landing gear legs include one-piece retraction struts and partial covers.

The main wheels are made up from two parts each. The tail wheel is moulded with the leg assembly.

Ample ordnance is offered including twelve 250lb bombs, two 500lb bombs, twelve HVAR rockets and a centreline drop tank.

The clear parts are thin and crystal clear. The sliding section is separate and may be posed open or closed. Two alternative windscreens are included.

Markings are provided for four options, all US Navy in overall Gloss Sea Blue:

• AD-3 USN, Bu.No. 122737,504 D, Hefty Betty , VA-923,USS Bon Homme Richard,CV-31,1951

• AD-3 USN, Bu.No 122799,503K,VA-35,USS Leyte,CV-32,1950

• AD-4 USN, Bu.No 123851.503V,VA-115,USS Philippine Sea,CV-47,1951

• AD-4 USN, Bu.No 123820,509B,VA-195,USS Boxer,CVA-21,1952

Decals are printed by Techmod. They are glossy and in good register.

Sword's kits are limited run but the quality of moulding, the level of detail and the finesse of surface textures would challenge some mainstream injection moulding model companies.

Sword's 1/72 scale AD-3/4 Skyraider is a fairly straightforward and nicely detailed limited run kit. Take your time with parts cleanup and alignment and you will be rewarded with an impressive result.

Thanks to Sword Models for the review samples.

Text and Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 7 May, 2025
Last updated 8 May, 2025

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