Hobby Master A-4E John McCain

1:72 Air Power Series HA1403 General Background The A-4 Skyhawk is one of the most successful attack aircrafts ever built. This smallest jet aircraft ever deployed on a carrier was the product of Douglas 's Chief Engineer Ed Heinnemann in the 1952. This was the time when a more lightweight aircraft was in demand to fit into those post-war vintage carriers.The Skyhawk was extensively used during the Cold War period and the Vietnam War by the Navy and the Marines. Because of its small size and powerful performance, the A-4 was also known as the “Heinnemann's Hot Rod”. A total of 2, 960 of Skyhawk were built and many of them were exported to other countries. The Aircraft In July 1967 John Sidney McCain III survived a deck explosion and fire on the USS Forestall that killed 134. He then joined the USS Oriskany VA-163 Saints and in October 1967 his A-4E Skyhawk was shot down over North Vietnam. Released after 5 1/2 years in prison John retired in 1981 and was elected a Congressman in 1982 a