In December of 2023, a good friend and talented cockpit restorer dropped off a forward fuselage/cockpit of an A-4C that he had intended to restore. The airframe had suffered significant damage during the scrapping process years earlier and was just a little too bent to be a candidate for restoration.
This cockpit belonged to BuNo 148590 and served with VA-12 while deployed aboard USS Shangri-La in 1970 to Vietnam. This aircraft is a true combat veteran and served with one of the most iconic USN squadrons of the era.
Despite its damage, this cockpit has an immense presence, and in addition to our JETs and Air Drops, we wanted to preserve it in some way.
JETs Vol. 25-30 was cut from fuselage skin removed from the port side of the cockpit of 148590. The starboard side we are keeping intact, and it will be proudly displayed in our new space. It is offered in 10 variants based on the color and finish:
NOTE: There is significant variance in finish and thickness with this release. Pictures posted are examples and do not exactly represent what your JET will look like.
Interior Skin variants: Green, and Black. All are flat single layer.
Exterior Skin variants: Raw (unpainted), White (intake), RESCUE, VA-12, Roundel, Titanium, Multi-Color/Stencil, and Exterior Random. Many of these feature significant structure and rivets.
We wanted to honor this aircraft’s history in VA-12, so the VA-12 JETs come on a red card and feature the more heavily red/rust colored Roundel JETs. These are limited and any that don’t sell on release day will be put into the standard (blue card) Roundel category.
The Multi-Color/Stencil are extremely diverse in color and finish. Many feature 3-4 different colors. Some have additional stencils, some are two colors, and some are very rugged in addition to the coloring.
The Titanium JETs were cut from a small panel near the gun barrel and are thick and heavy. The most limited variant this release.
The Exterior Random is the “everything else” category for this release, and we’ve also grabbed a few from the other variants and put them in this category. Some of these are raw with portions of colored paint. Some are solid exterior paint, etc.
A VA-12 Set is available that comes with a VA-12 and a Multi-Color/Stencil JET + an SE506 Air Drop. Note: the photo of the VA-12 Set does not include the SE506 Air Drop.
Additionally, a few Full Sets that include one of everything plus both AD513 and SE506 Air Drops are up for grabs. Note: the photo of the Full Set does not include the photos of the AD513 or SE506 Air Drop.
A new thing we are starting with our regular releases is including a bonus item (Air Drops SHARPs) with certain variants. SHARPs are small remnants of the panels after we process the material for JETs and Air Drops. They are unfinished/sanded and come in a coin capsule that is housed in a clamshell card. They are free and are intended to be a fun extra. They could be cut from anything we have here. Fulfillment is totally random, and they are only included with release day orders. This week, SHARPs will be included with all RESCUE, Multi-Color/Stencil, Green (interior), and any A-4C Air Drop. Max of 2 per customer.
