Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series Diecast Model

Douglas A-4E Skyhawk - LCDR Michael J. Estocin, VA-192 "Golden Dragons", US Navy, USS Ticonderoga, April 1967

1:72 Scale.  Length: 6.75".  Width: 4.75"

A-4E Skyhawk #151073 was flown by LCDR Michael Estocin of VA-192 “Golden Dragons”. On April 20, 1967, Estocin led a Shrike anti-radar attack on Haiphong and his A-4E was struck by a surface-to-air-missile. Despite the damage, he managed to return to the USS Ticonderoga. On April 26, 1967, Escotin led another attack on Haiphong, and again his aircraft was damaged by enemy fire. Even with his aircraft burning Escotin managed to fire his missiles at the target and turn toward the sea. As he approached the coast his A-4E rolled inverted and crashed. Another pilot said he didn’t see a parachute.

LCDR Estocin was considered missing in action until November 10, 1977 when the Secretary of the Navy gave approval for a Presumptive Finding of Death. The cause of death was coded as “Hostile, Died While Captured”. Sadly, his remains have never been repatriated. For his actions during these two missions LCDR Estocin was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He is the only Navy pilot to receive the MOH for actions performed during a combat mission. The USS Estocin was named after him.

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was a carrier capable light-attack bomber designed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corp. First flown in June 1954, the A-4s combat career began with carrier-launched raids over North Vietnam in 1964. The Navy began removing A-4 's from its front-line squadrons in 1967, with the last one retired in 1975. The Marine Corps retired the Skyhawk in June, 1994.


Hobby Master offers a wide selection of quality, pre-assembled, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted to a high level of accuracy using specifications of the original aircraft. They are constructed with precision-made diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of an A-4 Skyhawk by Hobby Master features: