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Description
| Notes: Improved A-4 with new engine, ejection seat, lift spoilers, nose wheel steering, and improved avionics (1 CREW) . | ||
| Manufacturer: | Douglas | |
| Base model: | A-4 | |
| Designation: | A-4 | |
| Version: | F | |
| Nickname: | Skyhawk | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Tri-Service | |
| Designation Period: | 1962-Present | |
| Basic role: | Attack | |
| See Also: | ||
Specifications
| Length: | 40' 1" | 12.2 m | |
| Height: | 15' 2" | 4.6 m | |
| Wingspan: | 27' 6" | 8.3 m | |
| Wingarea: | 260.0 sq ft | 24.1 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 9,853 lb | 4,468 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 16,216 lb | 7,354 kg | |
| Max Weight: | 24,500 lb | 11,111 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 | ||
| Thrust (each): | 11,200 lb | 5,079 kg | |
Performance
Operators (Past and Present)
| USN | VF-43 | Oceana | VA |
| USN | VF-126 | Miramar | CA |
| USN | VFC-12 | Oceana | VA |
| USN | VFC-13 | NAS Miramar | CA |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| Accomack County Airport | Virginia | |
| Aviation Heritage Park | NAS Oceana | Virginia |
| Empire State Aerosciences Museum | Scotia | New York |
| MCAS El Toro Historical Foundation | Irvine | California |
| Millville Amry Air Field Museum | Millville | New Jersey |
| NAS Miramar | San Diego | California |
| National Museum of Naval Aviation | NAS Pensacola | Florida |
| Quonset Air Museum | North Kingston | Rhode Island |
A-4F on display
Accomack County Airport | Aviation Heritage Park | Empire State Aerosciences Museum | NAS Miramar | |
National Museum of Naval Aviation |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Jay \'BullFrog\' Childers Colorado Springs, CO | I was assigned to VC-13 'SAINTS' from 1976-1980 and I got to know almost every Nook-N-Cranny of the TA-4J during that time. After the fire at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in '77, my supervisor, AD1 Al Wright, informed me that I would be the first of a five man crew, selected to begin work on an A4-L stored at NAS North Island to be donated back to the museum. In 1994 while living in Norwalk, Ca., and commuting to work in Hawthorn, Ca., I noticed to my dismay, an A4 listing to one side near the Hawthorn Municipal Airport Museum. Well, it wasn't long after I had inquired about the maintenance schedule of that A4, that she was standing tall and proud again. I have worked on the F4, A4, A7, P3, and the UH-1(Which I also have a great fondness for), and in my humble opinion, the best and greatest aircraft ever in the Navy's inventory, was the Douglas A4 Skyhawk!!! A4's forever, Amen! 08/26/2008 @ 09:48 [ref: 22551] |
| Bobby Nolde Hertford, NC | I was in VF-126 from 1983 to 1986, I worked in the Powerplant shop! The A4 was a very easy A?C to work on!! Nothing really hard about it!! Other than it being small and fast, it was a pretty cool plane!! 02/05/2008 @ 17:29 [ref: 19568] |
| Adam Hodge Marietta, GA | Hey Guys,
Not sure which model A-4 section this best to ask this in, haha. :) I'm currently a HS Student (Jr) trying to start up a collection of Scooter patches from any service/mission (VA,VMA,VC,VT, etc) as a keepsake. I'm looking for anything anyone can spare (Squadron Patches,Decomm Patches,Shoulder Patches,Anniv Patches, etc) related to Navy or Marine A-4 Squadrons. I wish I would've had the opportunity to see the Scooter in Navy/Marine Action but came along too late! If anyone can help/donate anything to jumpstart my attempt at a collection, Please email me at HODGETCA@aol.com (Can try and offer a little bit of $$ if need be). I doubt there is many folks my age (17) trying to start a collection like this. Thanks in Advance and Skyhawks Forever! 02/03/2008 @ 02:54 [ref: 19527] |
| Gerald (Jerry) Shollmier Benton, AR | I was in A4s the majority of my 21 years in the Navy, VA204 (A4L), two tours in VC12 (A4L, TA4J, A4E and A4F) and VC13 (TA4J, A4F). A4s were probably the most versatile aircraft in the Naval inventory. A very forgiving aircraft.
I had many hours in back seat (TA4)going back and forth to dets, low level navigation and inflight troubleshooting. We did many Dets to Key West and Fallon. Sure do miss them. :) 01/25/2008 @ 20:16 [ref: 19431] |
| Ted Synnott Wappingers Falls, NY | I was associated with VC-2, first as a Plane Captain (TAD) then into the ADJ/ADR Shop where I became qualified as: CDI/QA and High Power Turn-Up qualified as well as FlyAway Troubleshooter and met many people I was happy to work with some I will never forget.I have donated a few pictures of our squadron aircraft, A-4C, A-4D,A-4E, A-4F and the one's I had the pleasure of flying Others have donated photo's but they will not allow them to be downloaded. This is not the way it should be, these pictures should be shared with anyone wanting to download them. We all have memories that we like to look back on. Please lift the ban on downloading these as we are past military. Sharing is a good thing. 09/12/2007 @ 02:45 [ref: 17908] |
| Kin Robles Alameda, CA | Two A-4 aircraft can be seen at Alameda Point (formerly NAS Alameda). The aircraft "on a stick" are located at two locations: Main Gate (Main St. adjacent to Oakland Estuary) and South Gate (intersection of Atlantic Ave. and Main St.) Former members of VMA-133 are encouraged to contact the Alameda Naval Air Museum and share their memories of the station. (http://www.alamedanavalairmuseum.org or anammedia@mac.com) 04/07/2007 @ 07:12 [ref: 16124] |
| Joe Killough Pungoteague, VA | I live 5 miles from the Accomack Airport. The A-4F has the gear doors in the up position. It has notches cut in the doors for the struts to fit through. The guy that painted it and fixed it up said he did it to keep the birds from nesting in the wheel wells. I told him that it looked like S---. I started my USN career in VA-43 at NAS Oceana, in the same hanger as VC-2. I was a PC on the TA-4F in 69-70. Then I trans. to VC-8 in PR where I was PC on the A-4C. 06/24/2006 @ 15:52 [ref: 13592] |
| LeRoy Jennings Middleburg, FL | I was in VT-7 {Meridian Ms]from 73-76. We maintained 55 TA4J's at homebase as well as CV and weapons dets. I was fortunate enough to fly backseat to dets and a few bombing runs. The "scotter" was wonderful aircraft that will always hold a prized position in Naval Aviation history. 02/16/2006 @ 07:56 [ref: 12513] |
| Brad Campbell , CO | I was a plane captain at Top Gun from 90-92. The A-4 was by far my favorite aircraft of all as small and maneuverable as it was. It was a great thrill and probably one of the greatest times in my life besides my family and kids. There is just something about this aircraft that gets to you that is unexplainable. 03/08/2005 @ 14:10 [ref: 9652] |
| Greg Brewer Lake Elsinore, CA | As a retired Marine Air Wing technician,I have a fond affection for the A-4s. I was initially trained as an A-4
Structural Mechanic. I worked on C,E,F and M models. The most fitting tribute I can remember came from an ex Air Force pilot flying with the Marine Reserves out of El Toro MCAS. His comment," If a war starts, give me an A-4,all the ordinance I can carry and 5 Marines to keep it flying". The rugged reliability and sheer simplicity of design speaks to the creative genius of Ed Heineman and will probably never be duplicated in these "fly by wire" days. She lived in the field just like the Marines who maintained and loved her. She is gone, but will never be forgotten. 01/31/2005 @ 01:43 [ref: 9315] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
