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| Designed originally to provide the US Navy and Marine Corps with a simple low-cost lightweight attack and
ground support aircraft, the Skyhawk was based on experience gained during the Korean War. Since the initial
requirement called for operation by the US Navy, special design consideration was given to providing
low-speed control and stability during take-off and landing, added strength for catapult launch and arrested
landings, and dimensions that would permit it to negotiate standard aircraft carrier lifts without the complexity
of folding wings.
Construction of the XA-4A (originally XA4D-1) prototype Skyhawk began in September 1953 and the
first flight of this aircraft, powered by a Wright J65-W-2 engine (32 kN), took place 22 June 1954.
A total of 2,960 A-4 Skyhawks was built. The last one was built in 1979.
| CREW | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 x P+W J-52-P-8A, 41.4kN |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 11110 kg | 24493 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 8.4 m | 28 ft 7 in |
| Length | 12.6 m | 41 ft 4 in |
| Height | 4.6 m | 15 ft 1 in |
| Wing area | 24.2 m2 | 260.49 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 1100 km/h | 684 mph |
| Range w/max.fuel | 3200 km | 1988 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 2 x 20mm machine-guns, bombs, missiles, torpedos |
 | A three-view drawing (1000 x 474) |
| Dennis D. Lund, e-mail, 04.12.2012 19:14 I received my Flight Physiology and Survival License in April of 1968 at NAS Lemoore, California. This license enabled me to fly backseat many times day and night with the pilots of VA-163 in an A4 Skyhawk 2 seat TA4-J Skyhawk. I was even able to enjoy a dog fight with my pilot over the Sierra Nevada mountains while returning to Lemoore from Fallon, Nevada after a bombing run there. Really miss those days! ;-) reply | | Sid Seghers,AZ2, e-mail, 01.11.2012 04:14 VA-45 NAS Cecil Field(1966-Jan1968) Shared a hangar with VA-44. We had 20 TA-4Fs and 2 T-28s.No carrier quals,defective nose strut.Shared 2nd seat on flights to New Orleans. Best time of my life! reply | | Victor Clark, e-mail, 14.07.2012 23:28 I had the honor of flying this aircraft as Enlisted Aircrew /Co-Pilot in the early 1970's and I got my Wings in them. LCDR Longley was the Officer in charge of Flight Test in Pensacola, Fl that gave me the opportunity and allowed me to have memories in flying to last a lifetime and tell to my Grandchildren!I eventually flew the T2 Buckeye,T28 Trojan, T39 Sabreliner, and the UH1H Heuy. A real honor to fly for the US Navy! Retired from the Naval Reserves in 2009. reply |
| david thompson, e-mail, 29.04.2012 23:28 e-mail correction reply | |
| | david thompson, e-mail, 29.04.2012 23:26 spent a lot hours working on the a-4 2 med cruses 1 vietnam
cruse on the us
Rosevelt cva-42 as a AE many good times reply | | F. HUGH MAGEE, e-mail, 06.04.2012 10:06 For Bob Iserman: I was a LCDR IP in VA-44 at NAS Cecil in 1968-70'. Flew lots of our troops in the back seat of the TA-4J during my tour, maybe you were one of them? If so....we both survived. A-4s FOREVER! reply | | Steven Key, e-mail, 01.03.2012 12:51 Avionics USMC 65-69 A-4s the whole time. A-4s were designed, as above stated, for a nuclear launch platform with two methods of launch. reply | | Bob Isermann, e-mail, 06.02.2012 05:56 Well, I wasn't a pilot, but I did fly many times in the back sit of the A4. I was with VA44 in Cecil Field during 1967-69. Since we were a RAG squadron or planes had 2 sits. I took care of the pilots service records as they came to us for training. During that time period, we did lose a few planes and pilots. Very sad. They were great people. I can't believe not one comment on VA44. reply | | Douglas M. (Mike) Brier, e-mail, 15.01.2012 08:22 I was a plank owner In VSF-1 when it was established at NAS
Alameda in 1965. I was an AZ2 in charge of logs and records
for the A4B's assigned to the squadron. Commander Waring was our CO. Would like to hear from anyone who served during 1965 through 1967. Thanks reply | | uncle-mac, e-mail, 14.11.2011 03:08 For Larry Barber;:; Was VSF-1 the A4 fighter sguadren dreamed up at Alameda to go aboard the ASW Carriers to protect the ASW Aircraft? I almost went back to fly them but my butt to my knees was an inch too long so ejection was a no and Pan Am was not enthused. reply | | Meredith W. "Pat" Patrick, e-mail, 25.09.2011 18:34 The information is interesting but not at all accurate. It shows the picture of an A4A, originally A4D-1, but gives the specs for an A4E. There were many models of the A4 - Current terminology A4A, B, C, E, F, M and several TA4s. The A4A as shown weighed 8200 pounds dry and had 7800 pounds of thrust, making it a true Heinemann's hot rod. The A and B models were very dangerous. I had four complete engine failures in them in five years. One ejection, one ditching when the ejection seat didn't work either (see back cover of APPROACH Magazine July 1959), and two flame out approaches. One to MCAS Yuma and one to NAS Lemoore. This is a great reference but it needs to be more accurate. Also the A4 series should be under Douglas, not McDonnell Douglas. Pat Patrick Captain USN (Ret) reply | | Jeff Ahrstrom, e-mail, 21.09.2011 03:30 There is a reunion for VMAT-102 planned for the 2012 Yuma airshow in March. Search VMAT-102 on Facebook. See you in March jarhead! reply | | Carson Camp, e-mail, 17.09.2011 07:26 We have just took possession of a A-4M for a static display at our Veterans Memorial # 158530 on canopy is the Col William C. Blalock "Scoundrel" on other side is Col. William F. Oehl "Frosty" pictures are available as it now is in Dunlap, Tennessee reply | | Larry Barber, e-mail, 29.08.2011 05:07 Does anyone remember VSF-1, A4 Bs & Cs out of Alameda CA ? I did 2 med cruise Shang & Indy A4 great plane. reply | |
| | Allen Petersen, e-mail, 21.08.2011 19:31 I was a Navy Aviation Electricians Mate and loved taking care of the electrical systems on this aircraft ... 1968 - 1971, then moved to the Phantom II. reply | | DAVID L. CLEVENGER, e-mail, 01.08.2011 02:20 I WAS A PLANE CAPT.WITH VA36 ROADRUNNERS ON THE USS ENTERPRISE FROM 65 THRU 66.I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE A4 ITS THE BEST AIRCRAFT IVE HAD THE PLEASURE TO WORK WITH. reply | | Norman Wood, e-mail, 03.06.2011 21:14 Spent 2.5 years as plane capt. with VA-106 at Cecil Field. 2 med crusises then moved to NAS Lemoore for the remainder of my 4 years. I enjoyed working on the A4 for my entire 4 years. Easy to maintain and service. reply | | Ken Rector, e-mail, 30.04.2011 21:48 Attached to VA-45 "Blackbirds" at Cecil Field in late 60's which flew the TA4F. Looking for a picture of a TA4F attached to VA45 if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks. reply | | Nick Nickerson, e-mail, 11.04.2011 22:06 I flew the A4A and B with VA-741 at NAS JAX in the mid sixties. reply | | Michael Langworthy, e-mail, 20.03.2011 05:58 What a great aircraft to fly. Cash is right it was originally designed to give the Navy a nuclear weapon platform. reply |
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I also was an Aircrew /Co-Pilot in the early 1970's and received my Wings at NARF Flight Test in Pensacola,Fl. A special thank's and honor to LCDR Longley for giving us this opportunity. He was truly one of the Navy's great pilot.
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