VMA(AW)-224 Fighting Bengals A-6 Intruder Model, 1/36th Scale, Mahogany, Marines

VMA(AW)-224 Fighting Bengals A-6 Intruder Model Fly with the Fighting Bengals of the VMA(AW)-224 in this hand crafted A-6 Model. Each model is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a piece you'll love. Length - 18 inches Made from Mahogany US Veteran Owned Business The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger. A-6A Intruder/Bu. 155661 1969: Delivered to the US Navy. 1969: VA-85 as NK-506. 1971-72: VMA(AW)-224 as NL-511. Upgraded to A-6E. 1975: VMA(AW)-332 as EA-01. 1979: VA-65 as AG-510. 1980-81: VA-75 as AC-501. 1982: VA-75 as AC-511. 1984-85: VMA(AW)-224 as WK-09. 1990: VA-35 as AA-501. 1990-91: VA-85 as AB-505. 1994: VA-304. Currently preserved at Camp Blanding, FL. Also noted as dumped in 1996 as a reef. Marine Fighter Squadron 224 (VMF-224) was commissioned on May 1, 1942 at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii. Flying Grumman F4F Wildcats, the Bengals entered World War II as part of the Cactus Air Force stationed on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. Led by Medal of Honor recipient Maj Robert Galer, the squadron accounted for over sixty Japanese aircraft being destroyed in less than two months. The squadron also conducted close air support (CAS) missions while under constant attack from Japanese naval, air, and ground forces. VMF-224’s contributed significantly to the American victory during the Guadalcanal Campaign, which in turn, helped stem the tide of the Japanese advance across the Southern Pacific and secured a crucial foothold in the long island-hopping campaign against Japan. After Guadalcanal, the squadron was refitted with the Vought F4U Corsair and participated in the Marshall Islands Campaign. The spring of 1945 found VMF-224 participating in the last great battle of the Pacific Campaign. During the Battle of Okinawa the squadron operated initially from Yomitan and then from 1 July from Chimu Airfield. Throughout the struggle for Okinawa, the Bengals flew infantry support and counter air missions accounting for an additional fifty-five enemy aircraft being destroyed. 1950s - 1970s[edit] The squadron entered the jet era in 1951 with the acceptance of the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee. In 1952, after completing a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the USS Roosevelt, the squadron accepted the Grumman F9F Panther, and was re-designated Marine Attack Squadron 224 (VMA-224). A VMA-224 A-4E takes off from Chu Lai, Vietnam, 24 September 1966. On September 29, 1956, the squadron became the first Marine unit to field the Douglas A4D Skyhawk aircraft.[2][3] In 1965, the Bengals deployed to South Vietnam as part of the United States' buildup during the Vietnam War. For nearly a year the Bengals operated their “Scooters” from the expeditionary field at Chu Lai. On November 1, 1966, the squadron acquired the Grumman A-6 Intruder and was re-designated as Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 224 (VMA(AW)-224). In 1971, the Bengals deployed to the South China Sea aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). As part of Carrier Air Wing 15, the squadron completed six line periods on Yankee Station and participated in numerous operations including the historic Operation Pocket Money mining of Hai Phong Harbor. The Gulf War & the 1990s Grumman A-6 Intruder from VMA(AW)-224 on the flightline at MCAS Cherry Point in 1984. The Bengals deployed to Southwest Asia, on August 28, 1990. Operating from Shaikh-Isa Air Base, Bahrain the squadron participated in Operation Desert Shield. From January 16, to February 28, 1991, the Bengals participated in Operation Desert Storm, expending more than 2.3 million pounds of ordnance during 422 combat sorties. Shortly after their return to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on May 24, 1992, the Bengals celebrated their 50th anniversary. Less than a year later on March 5, 1993, the squadron was re-designated VMFA(AW)-224 and moved to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina where the Bengals received the multi-mission F/A-18D Hornet. From April to September 1994