Douglas A-4E Skyhawk

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a lightweight, carrier-capable attack aircraft developed in the 1950s. Famous for carrying a payload equivalent to a WWII B-17 bomber despite its small size, this agile jet became a workhorse of the Vietnam War and served globally for over 60 years.

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Summary

About the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a lightweight, single-seat attack aircraft developed in the 1950s for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Famous for its ability to carry a bomb load equivalent to a WWII B-17 despite its small size, the delta-winged jet saw extensive combat in Vietnam, the Falklands, and the Yom Kippur War. Nearly 3,000 were produced, with some remaining in active service more than 60 years after its first flight.

History

The story of an iconic aircraft

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a lightweight, carrier-capable attack jet developed in the 1950s that served in major conflicts like the Vietnam War and is famous for its ability to carry a heavy payload despite its small size.

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single seat subsonic carrier-capable attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in the early 1950s. The delta winged, single turbojet engine Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later by McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated A4D under the U.S. Navy’s pre-1962 designation system.

The Skyhawk is a relatively lightweight aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds (11,100 kg) and has a top speed of more than 670 miles per hour (1,080 km/h). The aircraft’s five hardpoints support a variety of missiles, bombs and other munitions. It was capable of carrying a bomb load equivalent to that of a World War II-era Boeing B-17 bomber, and could deliver nuclear weapons using a low altitude bombing system and a “loft” delivery technique. The A-4 was originally powered by the Wright J65 turbojet engine; from the A-4E onwards, the Pratt & Whitney J52 was used.

Skyhawks played key roles in the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Falklands War. Sixty years after the aircraft’s first flight, some of the nearly 3,000 produced remain in service with several air arms around the world, including from the Brazilian Navy’s aircraft carrier, São Paulo.
Dimensions

Wingspan 27 ft 6 in

Length 40 ft 4 in

Height 15 ft 10 in

Wing Area 260 sq ft

Empty Weight 10,800 lb

Max Weight 24,500 lb

Performance

Max Speed 1,040 mph

Initial Climb 10,300 ft/min

Range 2,000 miles

Powerplant

Engine 1 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 turbojet

Thrust 11,200 lb

Armament

Guns 2 × Mk 12 20mm cannon (200 rounds each)

Hardpoints 1 fuselage (3,500 lb), 4 underwing

Ordnance Mk 80 series bombs, Rockets (LAU-3/A, LAU-10/A), Nuclear weapons
Assignment History
- Dec 1964: Accepted at Long Beach, CA
- Jan 1965 – Feb 1965: VA-164 (Lemoore)
- Feb 1965 – Nov 1965: NAS Cubi Point
- Jan 1965 – Jan 1966: VA-164 aboard USS Constellation
- Jan 1966 – Apr 1966: VA-56 aboard USS Ticonderoga
- Apr 1966 – Jun 1966: VA-56 (Lemoore)
- Jun 1966 – Aug 1966: VA-56 aboard USS Enterprise
- Aug 1966 – May 1967: VA-192 (Lemoore)
- May 1967 – Jun 1967: NAS Sugi Costa
- Jun 1967 – Sep 1967: VA-212 aboard USS Bon Homme Richard
- Sep 1967 – Jun 1968: VA-164 aboard USS Hancock
- Jun 1968 – Jun 1968: VA-164 (Fallon, NV)
- Jun 1968 – Apr 1969: VA-44 (Cecil Field)
- Apr 1969 – Feb 1972: VA-127 (Lemoore)
- Feb 1972 – Oct 1976: VC-1 (Barbers Point)
- Oct 1976 – Mar 1977: VC-1 (North Island)
- Mar 1977 – Aug 1977: VC-1 (Pensacola)
- Aug 1977 – Mar 1979: VC-2 (Oceana)
- Mar 1979 – Sep 1979: MARTD Willow Grove
- Sep 1979 – Sep 1987: HMS 49 / MAG 49 DT (Willow Grove & Pensacola)
- Sep 1987: VC-12 (Oceana)
Deployment Notes
- #1: Vietnam deployment, CVW-16, Tailcode AH
- #2: Vietnam deployment, CVW-5, Tailcode NF
- #3: Vietnam deployment, CVW-21, Tailcode NP
- Note: Aircraft displays Aggressor squadron markings (Red Star) on the vertical stabilizer.

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