February, 1965
Model Airplane News Cover for February, 1965
HIAA Cruise Click to Enlarge
NOTE: HIAA is the acronym for the Hobby Industry Association of America, the trade organiztion for vendors of model supplies.
Here is what the blurb about the cover has to say:
"...Action on the flight deck of the USS Lexington. Photo taken by our Harry Harps during the 1964 combined Navy-HIAA Carrier Cruise of the Junior National Championships. This popular cruise which is becoming an annual institution will be repeated in 1965. It behooves you, Junior Champs, to start planning for the '65 festival at Willow grove Naval Air Station, Pa, in July..."
About the HIAA Cruise
This was a three day cruise aboard an aircraft carrier that was sort of the "Grand Prize" for youthful competitors who had won their divisions at the summer, 1964 Championships. The kids were flown to Pensacola, greeted by admirals, and spent a few days aboard the famous USS Lexington, watching the dynamics of a large carrier. You can read all about this interesting cruise by clicking to enlarge the photos below.
1964 Navy-HIAA Junior Champions Cruise
Click to Enlarge
About the Full Size Aircraft Shown in the Article
Grumman TF-9J
The Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar was an aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft for the United States Navy. Based on the earlier Grumman F9F Panther, the Cougar replaced the Panther's straight wing with a more modern swept wing. The Navy acquired 377 two-seat F9F-8T trainers between 1956 and 1960. They were used for advanced training, weapons training and carrier training, and served until 1974. They were armed with twin 20 mm cannon and could carry a full bombs or missiles load. In the 1962 redesignation, these were called TF-9J This was the only version of the Cougar to see combat was the TF-9J trainer They were used in the airborne command role, directing airstrikes against enemy positions in South Vietnam during 1966 and 1967.
Click here for more information about the TF-9J Cougar>Douglas A4D
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The delta winged, single turbojet-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D under the US Navy's pre-1962 designation system.Click here to learn moreabout the Douglas A4-D Skyhawk.
Douglas C-54/R5D
The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces in World War II. It was based on the Douglas DC-4. The Navy version was known as R5-D and was the aircraft used to transport the Young Champions to Pensacola for embarcation on the Lexington.Click here to learn more about the C-54/R5-D.
Planes in the Navy-HIAA Cruise
left: TF-9j middle:R5D right: A4D
Click to Enlarge
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