[CMR72-5101] Curtiss A-8 Shrike ‘In-line Engine’

Description

The Curtiss A-8 Shrike (Model 59) was a ground-attack aircraft designed in 1929 for the US Army Air Corps’ service. One prototype and 13 service test aircraft were ordered and after the completion of testing, eleven of these aircraft entered service with USAAC while the remaining two were retained as engine test beds.
It was a two-seat all-metal monoplane, with the wing external bracing, and a fixed landing gear. It featured automatic leading edge slats and trailing-edge flaps. It was powered by the Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror in-line engine and was armed with four 0.30ʺ machine guns mounted in the wheel spats and with a fifth flexible weapon of the same calibre in the rear cockpit. Ten 30lb bombs could be carried internally, or four 122lb bombs externally or one 52-gal drop tank mounted under the fuselage.
The A-8s went into service with the 3rd Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas in April 1932 and later were also used by the 37th Attack Squadron of the 8th Pursuit Group based at Langley Field.
Later, in February 1933, 46 improved aircraft were ordered as A-8B, however the order was changed to the Model 60 A-12s before production began; these Shrikes were fitted with radial engines.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1)   A-8 Shrike, s/n 33-350, Black 20, 90th Attack Squadron, 3rd Attack Group, US Army Air Corps, Kelly Field Air Base, Texas, 1933

2)   A-8 Shrike, s/n 33-347, Black 80, 37th Attack Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, US Army Air Corps, Langley Field Air Base, Virginia, 1935

3)   A-8 Shrike, s/n 33-349, Black 83, 37th Attack Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, US Army Air Corps, Langley Field Air Base, Virginia, 1935

4)   A-8 Shrike, s/n unknown, 3rd Attack Group, during Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Air Corps Exercises, (painted in temporary washable paints), US Army Air Corps, Godman Army Airfield, Kentucky, May 1933

Assembly instructions:

CMR72-5101 Curtiss A-8 Shrike In-line_instr web