|
| 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) |
| Pat McGirl, e-mail, 22.05.2008 03:06 Flew the A4A,B,C,E,L,KU,TA4F,TA4J. All great a /c. Had an Adversary sqdn. at Miramar NAS in the 70's. Not even the F-14s got close to beating us. A worthy adversary when flown with no external stores. Having flown the early F-86's, I insisted on proper slat lubrication to prevent rolling high "G" departures to an inverted spin. Never had one.
Don't believe the 1988 mile range. Max range as the F8, 1,000 NM. reply | | Ken Langford, e-mail, 15.05.2008 03:04 I flew the A-4B,C,E,M and the TA-4F and J for over 2600 hours and the scooter was a great air to ground platform. Honest, realiable and trustworthy throughout it's combat history in SE Asia. reply | | Bear Langworthy, e-mail, 13.05.2008 16:52 agree that the A-4 should be listed under Douglas a /c. reply | | T Kapurch, e-mail, 12.05.2008 14:49 This would be more appropriately listed under Douglas A /C who developed it. reply | |
| | Marv Garrison, e-mail, 02.04.2008 19:53 I was lucky enough to command two squadrons of Skyhawks and two Air Groups with A4's assigned. I flew in this order A4C, TA4F, A4B,A4A, A4L,A4E, A4f, A4M, and TA4J. I have one less landing than take-offs. reply |
|
Do you have any comments?
|
| 
COMPANY
PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
|
