McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Attached to VA-155 1960-1963 as an AE we had (A4D-2s at the time then the nomenclature to A4Es). Even though I had all the schools for AE I preferred the action on the Flight Deck (and Flight Line at Moffett and then one of the first at LeMoore). 2 full cruises on CVA 43, Coral Sea. Spent many happy hours on, in and around the scooters. Plane captain and crew leader. I think I actually was required to spend 2 months in the shop prior to ending my enlistment. hey wanted to get a few hours of work from me for all the schooling! After college I tried to get into Naval Aviation, passed everything but was 3 months too old. Was offered back seater type work (this was 1969. Back seat in a F4?? No way! Became Comm. Instr. CFI I later, but no fun compared to the A4 pilots!

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After a short career in AV-8As, in early 1986 I was lucky enough to get in a reserve squadron at Cecil (VMA-142 Gators) flying the A-4F. What a great airplane! From there, I did a short stint with VMA-131 flying A-4Es our of Willow Grove. The little birds were definitely showing their age through up through 1987. Semper Fi everyone!!!

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VA-12 CECIL FIELD-JACKSONVILLE,FLA.1962-1964 AMS MECHANIC,USS F.D.R. A very easy plane to work on and keep flying. Anyone out there remember those days. Where did everyone go.

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I was in the first A4 squadron (VA-72, Oceana, VA, 1957) when the first fleet A4s were "issued." I was the first to achieve 1,000 hours in the little bird (I was presented a nice mahogany plaque from McDonnell-Douglas acknowledging this. I sent the plaque to the Museum in Pensacola (their request) and on my next visit there I asked about it's whereabouts and was told it was "misplaced." The museum also gave credit to VA-83 (JAX) for being "first" and even had a (retired) model (in VA-83 "dress") hanging in the lobby declaring them Number-1. Someone suggested "good ole boy" politics was involved. So much for that museum's credibility! I haven't visited since. I made two full-length cruises (Randolph and Independence) and accumulated over 300 traps. It was a great little aircraft.

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Anyone here from AOC class 44-61 or 45-61? Don Ward Pattaya, Thailand ps last aircraft I flew was a P51-D WOW!!!!

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"Heinemann's Hotrod", a great plane indeed! I also was designed by Ed Heinemann and he was a Great Father as well.

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I'm a retired USAF Technical Sergeant; thats SSGT pay grade to Marines and PO1 to sailors. I saw many A-4s at NS Roosevelt Roads during counterdrug AWACS deployments. I always wanted to get up close, never did. Unlike the nuke sub on the way to retirement. Kewl a /c!

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I flew the A-4B, C, E, M, TA-4F, and J, with two Combat Cruises in the C and E and feel that this aircraft was as good as it gets for forward close air support. When 12.7 is whistling by your canopy, 20MM silences it mighty quick. It was as worthy as the F-8 Crusaders, and the F-4 Phantoms I flew, but my all time favorite combo, air to air /air to ground was the FJ-4. Air to air only was the greatest engine to airframe mate of my lifetime, the F-4. Unfortunately the F-4S was too late as I am sure it would have been the greatest of them all.

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Who doesn't love the Scooter!! 2500 hrs of great memories in the A-4E /M, TA-4F /J and OA-4M. Miss those days.

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I wa in the Naval Reserves in 65 to 72 with VA 727 and
VA 725 working on avionics at NAS Glenview. Sure wish I could have flown one of those beautiful birds you pilots looked like you had way to much fun!

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I flew 289 combat missions in Vietnam - 269 in the A4E and A4F. Most missions were Close Air Support during the TET offensive, releasing ordinance at 50 feet and 350 knots. This little bird never failed to get me back to base - sometimes with a load of North Vietnam lead aboard, but it always got me back to base. Wonderful Machine!

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I loved flying the scooter. The A-4F "Super Fox" the most.
I wasn't crazy about being on instructor pilot at VT-4, but the TA-4 "julient" made it bear able.

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Awesome little plane. I fly this one all the time on WoV simulator for the PC.

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As an instructor in both a Navy training command TA-4J squadron and the Marine Corps A-4 Advanced Training Squadron in Yuma, AZ, I got to see the inside of several versions of the "Scooter". I also got to deploy in the first A-4M squadron to take the new aircraft to Japan. The beginning of the evolution of the avionics in all A-4's began with the A-4M. As the Maintenance Officer of VMAT-102, I got to oversee the installation of ARC-159(V)radios in our small fleet of TA-4F and J models. That was the beginning of a whole new life for the avionics shop. No more fixing the radio after every flight. Ed Heinemann had my stubby body in mind when he designed the little beauty. I would not trade one day in the snug little gem. Do you all miss it as much as me?

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Last time i flew a Skyhawk I shot down a MiG-19!
he just rolled in front of me so I just gave him a burst of my machine guns and he just RIPPED APART!

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I was an AE and serviced the A-4 electrical and electronic systems 1970-1976. I was assigned to VA209 and also the
Air Barons team while stationed at Glenview Naval Air Station in Glenview Illinois.

I also participated in carrier qualifications on the USS Independence air craft carrier....with VA209

I always had the respect of the pilots as I always told them "I don't fly in what I fix". We had an excellent squadron, as the group always enjoyed the cross training of skills and excellent rapport with the pilots. We also had a lot of fun!

Today the plane, carrier and myself are all retired!
My career after the NAVY was in medical electronics for 22 years

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THE A-4 WAS ONE OF THE U.S.MARINE CORP'S,AND THE U.S.NAVY'S PREMIER ATTACK AIRCRAFT.THE "SKYHAWK" PILOTS FLEW MANY MISIONS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.THE A-4 WAS WELL KNOWN IN THE "AGRESSOR" ROLE IN THE U.S.NAVY'S FIGHTER WEAPONS TRAINING,"TOPGUN".MY FAVORITE A-4 WAS THE OA-4m.ONE OF THE 5 JETS I LIKE.

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I see some names on this list I'd like to contact, but can't figure how to get the Email address. Somf, Pigdog,and anyone remembering my name, I'm at DougandLJ@cs.com. "A-4s Forever & Semper Fi"
Doug

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I was chief engineer at J52-P408 Brazilian Navy Shop.
I would like to know if someone could tell me the name of the A4-Skyhawk Pitot Tubes factory ?

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I flew the A-4D1, 2, 2N and A4C between 1960 and 1962 with VA-43 (RAG) and then with VA-83 aboard USS Forrestal. Loved every minute, except one flight when I had a dusk launch and night recovery in the Mediterranean. Learned I had no radio or lights (interior of exterior)before recovery. Came down on Bob Mandeville's wing (Bob retired as a RADM)and had a bad case of vertigo. Caught the #1 wire, as I recall! The A-4 performed well----without lights!

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