HA4530 Hobbymaster McDonnell Douglas F-15C “173rd FW 75th Anniversary scheme” Oregon ANG, Kingsley Field 2020 (in memorial of David R. Kingsley)

£89.99 (incl VAT)

In stock

Model Description

HA4530 Hobbymaster McDonnell Douglas F-15C “173rd FW 75th Anniversary scheme” Oregon ANG, Kingsley Field 2020 (in memorial of David R. Kingsley)

PRICE: £89.99 incl VAT (RRP £118.00, SAVING £28.01)

In stock

Now in stock. Worldwide limited edition only 750 pieces.
Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale
HA4530
McDonnell Douglas F-15C
"173rd FW 75th Anniversary scheme"
Oregon ANG
Kingsley Field 2020
(In memorial of David R. Kingsley)

RRP £118.00

Model Description

Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale HA4530 McDonnell Douglas F-15C “173rd FW 75th Anniversary scheme” Oregon ANG, Kingsley Field 2020 (in memorial of David R. Kingsley). Buy online at Flying Tigers.

 

In 1967 the U.S. became aware of the Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat. This made it necessary to develop a new aircraft to counter the MiG-25. The USAF rejected the USN F-14 Tomcat and issued its own requirements. The solution came in the form of the McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 Eagle. The F-15A made its inaugural flight in July 1972 and in January 1976 the first Eagle entered service. The “E” entered service in 1989. The F-15 was the first dedicated USAF air superiority fighter since the F-86 Sabre.

F-15C 78-0543 is assigned to the 114th FS “Eager Beavers” and on January 7, 2020 at Kingsley Field ANG Base, Klamath Falls, Oregon it was unveiled wearing its new paint scheme. The scheme commemorates the heroic actions of David R. Kingsley, bombardier on B-17 “Sandman” during a raid over Ploesti, Romania. The B-17 was hit and falling and everyone was baling out. Kingsley spotted the wounded tail-gunner whose parachuted was missing so Kingsley gave the gunner his own parachute. Kingsley died and 75 years later is being honored for his supreme sacrifice with this special scheme.

Second Lieutenant Kingsley’s official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, June 23, 1944 near Ploesti, Romania, while flying as bombardier of a B17 type aircraft. On the bomb run 2d Lt. Kingsley’s aircraft was severely damaged by intense flak and forced to drop out of formation but the pilot proceeded over the target and 2d Lt. Kingsley successfully dropped his bombs, causing severe damage to vital installations. The damaged aircraft, forced to lose altitude and to lag behind the formation, was aggressively attacked by 3 Me 109 aircraft, causing more damage to the aircraft and severely wounding the tail gunner in the upper arm. The radio operator and engineer notified 2d Lt. Kingsley that the tail gunner had been wounded and that assistance was needed to check the bleeding. 2d Lt. Kingsley made his way back to the radio room, skillfully applied first aid to the wound, and succeeded in checking the bleeding. The tail gunner’s parachute harness and heavy clothes were removed and he was covered with blankets, making him as comfortable as possible. Eight Me 109 aircraft again aggressively attacked 2d Lt. Kingsley’s aircraft and the ball turret gunner was wounded by 20mm. shell fragments. He went forward to the radio room to have 2d Lt. Kingsley administer first aid. A few minutes later when the pilot gave the order to prepare to bail out, 2d Lt. Kingsley immediately began to assist the wounded gunners in putting on their parachute harness. In the confusion the tail gunner’s harness, believed to have been damaged, could not be located in the bundle of blankets and flying clothes which had been removed from the wounded men. With utter disregard for his own means of escape, 2d Lt. Kingsley unhesitatingly removed his parachute harness and adjusted it to the wounded tail gunner. Due to the extensive damage caused by the accurate and concentrated 20mm. fire by the enemy aircraft the pilot gave the order to bail out, as it appeared that the aircraft would disintegrate at any moment. 2d Lt. Kingsley aided the wounded men in bailing out and when last seen by the crewmembers he was standing on the bomb bay catwalk. The aircraft continued to fly on automatic pilot for a short distance, then crashed and burned. His body was later found in the wreckage. 2d Lt. Kingsley by his gallant heroic action was directly responsible for saving the life of the wounded gunner.

RRP  £118.00

Weight 750 g
Manufacturer

Model Type

Scale

Historical Era

A hugely popular area of the Flying Tigers website is our FREE weekly Aviation related Newsletter.  Our Newsletter aims to keep you informed and up to date with all things Aviation, with a particular leaning towards the fabulous world of diecast aviation collecting.

‘Earn your Wings’ with the Flying Tigers Newsletter!

 

Model Code: HA4530

Model categories:
1/72nd scale Military Jet Aircraft, F-15 Eagle, HobbyMaster Aviation, Military Aviation

Weight 750 g
Manufacturer

Model Type

Scale

Historical Era

A hugely popular area of the Flying Tigers website is our FREE weekly Aviation related Newsletter.  Our Newsletter aims to keep you informed and up to date with all things Aviation, with a particular leaning towards the fabulous world of diecast aviation collecting.

‘Earn your Wings’ with the Flying Tigers Newsletter!