USN McDonnell-Westland A2H-1 Wyvern-COMPLETED

[Pepsi Concorde]

Quick update. Starting to feel quite good about how it's looking. 

Some of you may know that I am not a patient builder. More manic really. Once I start a kit and get into it I want to see it on the shelf ASAP. So since the Skyraider decals I ordered won't arrive until next week I raided the spares/aftermarket box and decided that this A2H will be flying with VA-146, the "Blue Diamonds".  In my timeline they operate the Wyvern before the Skyhawk instead of the Fury.

Not usually a fan of the Wyvern, but this looks great!

[Pepsi Concorde]

Now we need a low-vis Wyvern!

[AeroplaneDriver]

Well, she's done. First model finished in quite a few months.  Pics tomorrow, but I'm quite happy with it for a 6-day build. 

Watch out Charlie!  The Dragon is inbound! 

[Old Wombat]

 

[Dizzyfugu]

Looking good! 

[Doug K]

Looking really good, I love that scheme, which is why I used it on my Aussie Vietnam version a few years ago. Great job.

[AeroplaneDriver]

A combination of fatigue cracking across the A1D Skyraider fleet and delays in the A4D program left the US Navy in need of an interim carrier-based attack aircraft in the mid 1950s.  A high ranking office in the procurement chain had flown an exchange tour with the Royal Navy several years earlier and had flown the Westland Wyvern.  While the aircraft had its problems he felt that it could be developed into a capable platform with a few changes.  His influence led to McDonnell Aircraft Company approaching Westland to propose a joint development of the Wyvern for the US Navy.

Westland leapt at the chance to supply the US Navy, and thanks the the magic of the Pentagon budget the McDonnell-Westland A2H-1 made its maiden flight in June 1956.  Changes to the S.4 included a strengthened wing with six hardpoints, increased engine power giving a maximum speed of 350kts, an increase of 20kts over the S.4.  A more comprehensive US avionics suite was also fitted, and the S.4'c cameras were also removed, making way for an additional fuselage fuel tank. 

The new weapons stations were capable of carrying 1000lb on the four inboard stations and 500lb on the two outer pylons. Combined with the centerline pylon this gave the A2H a potential bomb load of 5,000lb, though in practice it was standard to carry a fuel tank on the centerline.   

The US Navy ordered 220 Wyverns, with the type entering service in early 1957, the same year the Royal Navy began phasing hte type out.   There was much speculation of secret handshakes and political dealings leading to the Royal Navy ordering the A-4 Skyhawk in 1959 as a Quid Pro Quo for the Wyvern order.

The Wyvern served with the US Navy until 1971.  Though the delays to the Skyhawk were resolved and the Wyvern was replaced in the primary ground attack role by the A-4 by 1959, the type lived on in the CAS role and saw extensive combat in this role in Vietnam. 

This model depicts an A2H-1 (redesignated A-7A in 1962) in the colors of VA-146, "The Blue Diamonds" in 1964 when it was flying from the USS Ticonderoga in the Vietnam Theater.  It carries a common CAS load of two BLU-1 Napalm tanks, two LAU-3 19-round rocket launchers, and two Mk82 Snakeye bombs. 

[Gondor]

Vereeeey nice. 

That scheme works well on that kit 

Gondor

[Wardukw]

Ive always loved weird aircraft and the Wyvern is one of those.
Quoting Gondor...vvvvvveeeerrŕyyy nice job mate..i freaking like this   

[comrade harps]

Snazzy!

This has me suddenly pondering a turboprop Skyraider (as opposed to an A2D Skyshark).

[Old Wombat]

Very nice, indeed!

[zenrat]

Very nice.  Like a bought one.

[MiB]

thumbnail by ilmib, su Flickr

thank you for your inspiration!!!!

[PR19_Kit]

If ever there was an aeroplane dominated by its prop, the Wyvern is IT! 

That looks terrific in that scheme, it really suits it, and all the red bits just scream USN or USMC.

[NARSES2]

Stunning build of one of my favourite aircraft