SkyMax Flying Heroes SM5003
Aichi D3A1 Kanbaku/Val Diecast Model
IJNAS Skokaku Flying Group, EI-238, Kakuihci Takahashi, IJN Carrier Shokaku, Pearl Harbor, December 7th 1941 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Aichi D3A1 Kanbaku/Val | | 5.5" | | 7.75" |
On December 7th, 1941 at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time, the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor was pre-emptively attacked by the Empire of Japan to prevent the US Pacific Fleet from interfering with planned Japanese military actions in Southeast Asia. The attack was carried out by 353 fighters, bombers and torpedo planes, launched in two waves from a task force of six aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku) northwest of Hawaii. The damage inflicted was massive. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four being sunk, in addition to damaging or sinking three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 Americans were killed and 1,282 wounded. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 65 servicemen killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured. The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. The following day (December 8), the United States declared war on Japan. There were numerous historical precedents for unannounced military action by Japan. However, the lack of any formal warning, particularly while negotiations were still apparently ongoing, led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy".
Designed to meet an Imperial Japanase Navy requirement for a carrier-based dive bomber, the D3A was first flown in January, 1938. The Val was a fixed-gear dive bomber, but it had better maneuverability than similar aircraft. It was stable but lightly armored-a short burst from heavy machine guns could easily destroy it. Armed with two forward-firing 7.7 mm machine guns, one flexible 7.7 mm machine gun in the rear cockpit, one 550 lb bomb under the fuselage and two 130 lb bombs on wing racks, the Val is perhaps best known for the part it played in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Sky Max's 1:72 scale D3A1 Val is constructed using modern manufacturing techniques and features exceptionally crisp panel lines and near-seamless construction. The large bird-cage canopy is removable, providing an unobstructed view of the pad printed dials and gauges, control stick and pilot and gunner seats. Two machine gun ports and the radial engine's cylinder head can be seen behind the thin, three-bladed propeller. The center-mounted 250kg bomb with delicate fins and swing arms, engine exhaust and tail hook are separately attached. The wing has diecast metal spatted wheels, dive breaks, and (on some releases) an under-wing mounted 60kg bomb.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The SkyMax "Flying Heroes" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. SkyMax offer the more price-sensitive collector a cheaper alternative to models from leading manufacturers like Corgi and Century Wings.
SkyMax"Flying Heroes" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
