|
The A-4 Skyhawk series was designed by Douglas (later McDonald-Douglas) engineer Ed Heinemann as the smallest possible carrier aircraft capable of delivering a Mk 7 or Mk 8 nuclear device, better known as a “special weapon”. There was much doubt among Heinemann’s peers that this aircraft would be able to lift more than twice its empty weight but the aircraft was a huge success. The airframe “footprint” was so small with its delta wing design that it did not require folding wings for carrier duty. The aircraft was given nicknames such as “Heinemann’s Hot Rod” and “Scooter” and “Tinker Toy” because of its size and speed.
The original Navy classification was A-4D-1 meaning “A” for attack, “4” for the 4th attack aircraft designed by the manufacturer and, in this case, “D” for Douglas. The -1 referred to the first model of this aircraft. In 1962, the Defense Department decided to “simplify” the system between the Air Force and the Navy, reportedly because the Secretary of Defense couldn’t understand it. The Air Force version, for the most part, won out so all Navy aircraft lost their original designators. The A4D-1 then became the A4-A and other versions and aircraft had similar changes in designation which was not too popular with the Navy because the aircraft manufacturer was no longer part of the identification. To this day, “old salts” that were in the Navy before 1962, still refer to the older aircraft by their original designators.
Later models were equipped with the Pratt and Whitney J-52 with thrust ratings over 11,000# in the Skyhawk II for the Marine Corps (A-4M) and the Israeli Air Defense Force (A-4N). TA-4F two-place training versions were also developed and some were used as forward air controllers. The last new-build model was the A-4M for the U.S. Marine Corps in 1979.
The A-4F model was selected for use with the US Navy’s Blue Angels Demonstration Team in September of 1973, replacing the heavy and fuel thirsty F-4 Phantom. The Navy modified the aircraft slightly for better airshow performance by removing unnecessary weight such as the electronics “hump” behind the cockpit, and using the most powerful J-52 engine available. The “Blues” continued to use the A-4F through 1986.
A significant rebuild program was developed to update older Skyhawks for the Navy and Marine Corps as well as foreign customers. These aircraft had uprated engines, armament systems and avionics. For example, A-4C models were rebuilt into A-4L models for the Navy-Marine reserve squadrons.
During the Viet Nam War in Southeast Asia, a total of 362 Skyhawks were lost to accidents and enemy action by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Skyhawk was very maneuverable but was no match for the North Vietnamese SAM missiles and radar-directed anti-aircraft fire at the low altitudes where their ordnance was delivered.
Other notable military actions include various skirmishes where the Israelis put their various model Skyhawks to good use. The Falklands War between Britain and Argentina allowed rebuilt U.S Navy A-4B models (A-4P for the Argentinean Air Force and A-4Q for the Navy) to go head to head with the Royal British Navy although they eventually lost the fight.
Douglas A-4A (A4D-1) Skyhawk BuNo.139947
Technical Data: Specific for A-4A (A4D-1)
Dimensions:
Wing Span: 27’ 6”
Length: 38’ 5” (no probe)
Height: 14’ 11"
Wing Area: 260 sq. ft.
Weights and Capacities:
Empty Wt.: 8,391#
Gross Wt.: 15,093#
Max Takeoff Wt.: 19,910#
Combat Wt.: 11,963#
Fuel Capacity:
Internal: 810 gal. (240 gal fuselage, 570 gal. wing)
External: 1000 gal. (1 x 400 gal. fuselage + 2 x 300 gal. wing drops)
Performance:
Max Speed: 664 mph. @ sea level;
609 mph. @ 35,000 ft.
Normal Cruise: 506 mph.
Stall Speed: 124 mph.
Max. Climb: 11,600 ft./min.
Combat Ceiling: 46,000 ft.
Service Ceiling: 49,000 ft.
Record Ceiling:
Maximum Combat Range: 1489mi.w/MK 7 nuclear device
Normal Range: 600 mi.
Powerplant:
Type: Axial Flow Turbojet
Manufacturer: Wright Aeronautical Division of Curtiss-Wright Corp. Woodridge, NJ
Designation: J65-W-4 or -4B (license-built, modified Armstrong-Siddeley
Sapphire)
Rated Power: 7700# thrust
Fuel Requirement: J-4, J-5
Armament and Ordnance:
Defensive: 2 x 20mm Colt Mk 12 cannon w/ 100rpg.
Offensive: Mk 7 or Mk 8 “special weapon” or conventional bombs up to 5,975# max.
Carrier Launch and Recovery Equip.: Nose gear stressed for catapult launch at gross wt. and hydraulically operated tailhook.
LABS (Low Altitude Ballistic System): Aero 18B for “special weapon” delivery
Resources Used:
Books and Periodicals:
Aircraft Yearbook 1957-58, American Aviation Publishers
American Combat Planes, 3rd Edition, Ray Wagner
Encyclopedia of the World’s Combat Aircraft, Bill Gunston
NAS Glenview 1967 SAT Program Yearbook, US Navy
Sailors to the End, The Deadly Fire on the USS Forrestal….., Greg A. Freeman
Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club, US Carrier OPS off Vietnam, Rene Francillon
US Navy and Marine A-4 Skyhawk Units of Vietnam War, Peter Mersky
USS Coral Sea, CVA-43 Westpac Yearbook, 1967-68, US Navy
USS Coral Sea, CVA-43 Westpac Yearbook, 1968-69, US Navy
US Warbirds from WW I to Vietnam, Kenneth Munson
Vietnam Air Losses, Fixed Wing Navy, Marine and Air Force, Chris Hobson
This aircraft is on loan to Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum from the National Museum of the United States Airforce.
|
