Discover The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Origins of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat, subsonic, carrier-capable light attack aircraft. It was designed and produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company, later known as McDonnell Douglas. Initially designated as the A4D under the U.S. Navy’s pre-1962 system, the Skyhawk has been a prominent player in military aviation history. It served various roles and saw significant combat action over decades.

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Manufacturing History

The Skyhawk was developed during the early 1950s on behalf of the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps as a replacement for the propeller-driven Douglas A-1 (AD) Skyraider. Ed Heinemann, the chief designer behind the A-4 Skyhawk, embarked on its development in the early 1950s, with the prototype taking its first flight in 1956.

Inspired by a study indicating that a 100-pound reduction in weight would shorten the takeoff run by eight feet, extend the combat radius by 22 miles, and improve the climb rate by 18 feet per minute, Heinemann meticulously worked to minimize the aircraft’s weight. This focus on weight reduction was a key principle in the design of the A-4 Skyhawk, significantly enhancing its performance and operational efficiency.

During his long career at Douglas, Ed Heinemann designed more than 20 combat aircraft, primarily for the U.S. Navy, including many that became legends in aviation history. His designs included the following aircraft:

• SBD Dauntless dive bomber
• A-20 Havoc light bomber/attack aircraft
• A-26 Invader light bomber/attack aircraft
• A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft
• A-3 Skywarrior bomber
• A-4 Skyhawk light bomber
• F3D Skyknight night fighter
• F4D Skyray carrier-based fighter aircraft
• Douglas Skystreak and Douglas Skyrocket research aircraft

Between 1956 and 1979, nearly 3,000 A-4 Skyhawks were manufactured, serving diverse roles such as front-line attack aircraft, aggressor aircraft, and advanced trainers. The two-seat TA-4 variants were specifically designated for training purposes. From 1974 to 1986, the Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron also utilized the A-4.

The A-4 is by comparison, a compact, straightforward, and lightweight aircraft for the era. Its maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds (11,100 kg) being roughly half of the Navy’s weight specification. The Skyhawk has a short-span delta wing configuration, a tricycle undercarriage, and is powered by a single turbojet engine. The U.S. Navy issued a contract for the aircraft on 12 June 1952. On 22 June 1954, the XA4D-1 prototype performed its maiden flight; it went on to set a world speed record of 695.163 mph on 15 October 1955.[1] On 1 October 1956, the Skyhawk was introduced to operational service.

Combat Performance

The A-4 Skyhawk proved its combat effectiveness in numerous conflicts. During the Vietnam War, it was the U.S. Navy’s primary light attack aircraft, performing the first U.S. airstrikes. Israeli Air Force Skyhawks were crucial in the War of Attrition and Yom Kippur War. Argentine Skyhawks played a significant role in the Falklands War, sinking several Royal Navy vessels. Kuwaiti Skyhawks participated in Operation Desert Storm. With numerous variations of the aircraft, there’s an A-4 Skyhawk to suit everyone’s needs. It’s versatility, speed, and maneuverability made it a popular aircraft at a very reasonable price.

Throughout its production, over 20 different versions of the Skyhawk were delivered to the U.S. military and various international air forces, including those of Israel and Argentina. These nations deployed the Skyhawk in combat during the Arab-Israeli conflicts and the Falklands War, respectively. Despite its age, the A-4 Skyhawk remains in service with the Argentine Air Force and Brazilian Naval Aviation as of 2022, nearly seven decades after its first flight.

Douglas A-4 Skyhawks and VA-95 Green Lizards

VA-95 deployed with the A-4 Skyhawk, 3 times. CV-11 USS Intrepid in 1966 (WestPac/Vietnam), CV-38 USS Shangri-La 1967-68 (WestPac/Vietnam), and lastly the maiden Cruise on the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 (Mediterranean).

July 1965: VA-95 assigned the Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk. April 4, 1966, to November 21, 1966: Attack Squadron NINETY-FIVE flying the A-4B Douglas Skyhawk from USS Intrepid CVS 11, combat cruise to WestPac/Vietnam. The Intrepid Air Wing CVW-10 was composed only of attack squadrons.

Mid-1966 found Intrepid with the Pacific Fleet off Vietnam. Here the Intrepid aircrews delivered what was believed to be one of the fastest aircraft launching times recorded by an American carrier. Nine A-4 Skyhawks and six A-1 Skyraiders loaded with bombs and rockets were catapulted in 7 minutes with only 28- second intervals between launches. A few days later planes were launched at 26-second intervals

April 10, 1967: LCdr. Walker W. Lambert, 36, was killed Monday night when his A4D Skyhawk (BuNo 145037) crashed in the desert 10 miles east of Fallen, NV. The NAS Alameda based pilot was flying as an observer for a night bombing exercise. Oakland Tribune, Wed., April 12, 1967.

June 14, 1969: LCdr. Robert E. Turgeon, Jr., ejected safely and was rescued after he parachuted into the Bay of Naples when his A-4 Skyhawk (BuNo 147739) crashed at sea Saturday after takeoff from the USS John F. Kennedy.

 

 

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Specifications

Performance

Maximum speed: 585 kn (673 mph, 1,083 km/h) at sea level
Range: 1,008 nmi (1,160 mi, 1,867 km)
Ferry range: 2,194 nmi (2,525 mi, 4,063 km)
g limits: +8 -3
Rate of climb: 5,750 ft/min (29.2 m/s)
Wing loading: 62.4 lb/sq ft (305 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.526 (at gross weight)

Armament

The Skyhawk’s five hardpoints support a variety of missiles, bombs, and other munitions. It is capable of carrying a bomb load equivalent to that of the World War II-era Boeing B-17 bomber, and can deliver nuclear weapons using a low-altitude bombing system and a “loft” delivery technique.

Furthermore, it pioneered the concept of “buddy” air-to-air refueling, enabling an aircraft to supply others and reduce the need for dedicated aerial tankers. The Skyhawk was originally powered by the Wright J65 turbojet engine; from the A-4E onwards, the Pratt & Whitney J52 engine was used instead.

The Skyhawk was in production through to February 1979, by which point 2,960 aircraft had been delivered to a variety of operators. 555 aircraft alone were built as dedicated two-seat trainers.

Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) Colt Mk 12 cannon, 100 rounds/gun
Hardpoints: 4× under-wing & 1× under-fuselage pylon stations with a capacity of 8,500 lb (3,900 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:
Rockets: 4× LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4× 127 mm Mk 32 Zuni rockets)

Bombs:

6× Rockeye-II Mark 20 Cluster Bomb Unit (CBU)
6× Rockeye Mark 7/APAM-59 CBU
Mark 80 series of unguided bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs)
B43 nuclear bomb
B57 nuclear bomb
B61 nuclear bomb
Other: up to 3× 370 US gallons (1,400 L) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for ferry flight/extended range/loitering time

Missiles:

Air-to-air missiles:
4× AIM-9 Sidewinder
Air-to-surface missiles:
2× AGM-12 Bullpup
2× AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile
2× AGM-62 Walleye TV-guided glide bomb
2× AGM-65 Maverick

Training and adversary role

The Skyhawk, in the two-seat TA-4J configuration, was introduced to a training role replacing the TF-9J Cougar.[29] The TA-4J served as the advanced jet trainer in white and orange markings for decades until being replaced by the T-45 Goshawk.

Additional TA-4Js were assigned to Instrument Training RAGs at all the Navy master jet bases under RCVW-12 and RCVW-4. The Instrument RAGs initially provided jet transition training for Naval Aviators during the time period when Naval Aviation still had a great number of propeller-driven aircraft and also provided annual instrument training and check rides for Naval Aviators.

The assigned TA-4J models were installed with collapsible hoods so the aviator under training had to demonstrate instrument flying skills without any outside reference.

These units were VF-126 at NAS Miramar, California; VA-127 (later VFA-127; NAS FALLON, NV) at NAS Lemoore, California; VF-43 at NAS Oceana, Virginia; and VA-45 (later VF-45) at NAS Cecil Field, Florida until its later move to NAS Key West, Florida.

References/Sources Consulted

The Skyhawk Association
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
Ed Heinemann
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk: The US Military’s Beast in the Sky
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk: That Little Attack Jet That Could…and Did
USS Intrepid CV-11 1966 Cruise Book
USS Shangri-La CV-38 1967-68 Cruise Book
USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 1969 Cruise Book