1/700 North American AJ-2 Savage Bomber - (x2) Gear Down - Early Cold War Navy!

Description

NO RESERVE. We're offering here a beautifully detailed set of two 1/700 scale North American AJ-2 Savage models that have just come out of the 3D printer! The AJ Savage came into being as a direct result of the greatest Navy and Government controversy since Billy Mitchell and the battleships. Initially, the newly independent US Air Force openly questioned the Navy's need for a nuclear bomber, arguing that nuclear deterrence with aircraft like the B-29, B-50 and B-36 long-range strategic bombers was strictly their responsibility. After much heated debate over the relative roles of the two services, it was agreed that the USAF would retain primary responsibility for delivering nuclear weapons but the Navy would be allowed to continue development of its own nuclear strike force. The AJ-1/2/2P embodied two important firsts: it was the Navy's first carrier-based attack bomber capable of carrying and delivering a nuclear weapon and it was the Navy's first carrier-based airframe having more than a single engine - the Savage had a J-33 jet engine in the fuselage immediately under the tail in addition to two radial piston engines (two turning and one burnin'). In fact the turbojet was only intended to be used for takeoffs and to reach maximum speed (471 mph) near the target. Savages first entered service in 1949 and continued service as
frontline bombers in Naval Heavy Attack Composite Groups until replacement by the jet-powered A3 Skywarrior, beginning in 1957. Early in the Savage's career, squadrons were deployed at NAS Port Lyautey, Morocco where they were in position to land on carriers of the Sixth Fleet and could be loaded with atomic bombs already on the ships and then launched in the Eastern Mediterranean. At least two AJ-2s were deployed in Korea in July 1953 to act as a nuclear deterrent there. Some were converted as in-flight tankers and notably, it was AJ tankers that refueled John Glenn's F8U-1P Crusader on the Project bullet transcontinental speed record flight in July 1957.
These are the first AJ-2 models ever offered in 1/700 scale.
Plus, this set actually includes two
different
models: one each of the AJ-2 bomber and AJ-2P photo-reconnaissance variants. While photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, check out the well proportioned models including the fuselage with detailed canopy, the extended 'chin' nose housing the forward-looking camera on the AJ-2P, the tail assembly with jet engine, the wings with piston engine nacelles and wing tanks, and the landing gear.
While the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that needs to be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent in it.
These outstanding AJ-2 Savage models should be a welcome addition to any wargamer's or 1/700 modeler's collection, particularly those interested in early Cold War carrier based operations . Please take a look at the other 1/700 scale aircraft models that we have on auction as well. We're always happy to combine shipping for multiple purchases to save whenever possible. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions whatsoever.