Almost 3,000 of these aircraft were
built in 25 years between 1954 and 1979. This figure alone gives some idea
of the enormous success (both at home and abroad) of the Douglas A-4
Skyhawk, one of the most effective carrier-based attack planes,
operational from 1956 and used in all the major engagements of the 1960s
and 1970s. The program was launched when the US Navy decided it wanted a
modern replacement of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. The requirements were
most exacting, but Ed Heinemann, chief designer at Douglas, managed to
satisfy them all, proposing a plane whose maximum weight at take-off was
practically half of the Navy specification weight, giving it increased
payload capacity. The first prototype flew on June 22, 1954 and the first
production model of the A4D-1 (designated A-4A after 1962) on August 14.
There were many subsequent variants and sub-series derived from this model.
The prototype of the A-4F version appeared on August 31, 1966, and
deliveries of the 146 planes ordered by the US Navy took place between
June 1967 and June 1968.
Ideal successor to the marvellous
Skyraider, the Douglas A-4, a daytime fighter-bomber, was the favourite
plane of land-based Marine units and was also widely used by US Navy
squadrons, particularly after 1968. Some idea of the Skyhawk's
capabilities can be judged by the fact that a single Marine squadron, the
VMA-311, carried out a record number of 47,663 sorties between June 1965
and May 1971. The US Navy was so convinced of the aircraft's adaptability
to this type of warfare that in 1966, after the initial experiences on the
battlefield, it gave the order for production to be resumed so as to take
delivery of a further 146 examples of the A-4F. Of all the planes used by
the US Navy and US Marine Corps to carry out strike missions in Vietnam,
the Skyhawks alone were responsible for over 50 percent; and they suffered
the highest battle casualties, losing 196 machines, mainly because they
were most often exposed to anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters.
Technical Specifications
Aircraft:
Douglas A-4F
Year: 1966
Type: attack
Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Co.
Engine: Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8A
Power: 9,300 lb (4,218 kg)
Wingspan: 27ft 6in (8.38m)
Length: 40ft 3 1/4in (12.27m)
Height: 15ft (4.57m)
Wing area: 260sq ft (24.16mē)
Max take-off weight: 24,500 lb (11,113 kg)
Empty weight: 10,000 lb (4,535 kg)
Max speed at sea level: 675mph (1,086km/h)
Service ceiling: 49,000ft (14,935m)
Range: 2,000mi (3,200km)
Crew: 1
Load-armament: 2x20mm cannon; 10,000 lb (4,500 kg)
