McDONNELL DOUGLAS A-4 SKYHAWK

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The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single turbojet-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D under the US Navy's pre-1962 designation system.

Design and development

The Skyhawk was designed by Douglas Aircraft's Ed Heinemann in response to a U.S. Navy call for a jet-powered attack aircraft to replace the older AD Skyraider. Heinemann opted for a design that would minimize its size, weight, and complexity. The result was an aircraft that weighed only half of the Navy's weight specification. It had a wing so compact that it did not need to be folded for carrier stowage. The diminutive Skyhawk soon received the nicknames "Scooter", "Kiddiecar", "Bantam Bomber", "Tinker Toy Bomber", and, on account of its nimble performance, "Heinemann's Hot-Rod".

The XA4D-1 prototype in 1954

The aircraft is of conventional post-World War II design, with a low-mounted delta wing, tricycle undercarriage, and a single turbojet engine in the rear fuselage, with two air intakes on the fuselage sides. The tail is of cruciform design, with the horizontal stabilizer mounted above the fuselage. Armament consisted of two 20 mm (.79 in caliber) Colt Mk 12 cannons, one in each wing root, with 200 rpg, plus a large variety of bombs, rockets, and missiles carried on a hardpoint under the fuselage centerline and hardpoints under each wing (originally one per wing, later two).

The second production A4D-1

The choice of a delta wing, for example, combined speed and maneuverability with a large fuel capacity and small overall size, thus not requiring folding wings, albeit at the expense of cruising efficiency. The leading edge slats were designed to drop automatically at the appropriate speed by gravity and air pressure, saving weight and space by omitting actuation motors and switches. Similarly the main undercarriage did not penetrate the main wing spar, designed so that when retracted only the wheel itself was inside the wing and the undercarriage struts were housed in a fairing below the wing. The wing structure itself could be lighter with the same overall strength and the absence of a wing folding mechanism further reduced weight. This is the opposite of what can often happen in aircraft design where a small weight increase in one area leads to a compounding increase in weight in other areas to compensate, leading to the need for more powerful, heavier engines and so on in a vicious circle

A4D-2 refueling a F8U-1P

The A-4 pioneered the concept of "buddy" air-to-air refueling. This allows the aircraft to supply others of the same type, eliminating the need of dedicated tanker aircraft—a particular advantage for small air arms or when operating in remote locations. This allows for greatly improved operational flexibility and reassurance against the loss or malfunction of tanker aircraft, though this procedure reduces the effective combat force on board the carrier. A designated supply A-4 would mount a center-mounted "buddy store", a large external fuel tank with a hose reel in the aft section and an extensible drogue refueling bucket. This aircraft was fueled up without armament and launched first. Attack aircraft would be armed to the maximum and given as much fuel as was allowable by maximum takeoff weight limits, far less than a full tank. Once airborne, they would then proceed to top off their fuel tanks from the tanker using the A-4's fixed refueling probe on the starboard side of the aircraft nose. They could then sortie with both full armament and fuel loads. While rarely used in U.S. service since the KA-3 Skywarrior tanker became available, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet includes this capability.

Thermal cockpit shield for nuclear weapons' delivery.

The A-4 was also designed to be able to make an emergency landing, in the event of a hydraulic failure, on the two drop tanks nearly always carried by these aircraft. Such landings resulted in only minor damage to the nose of the aircraft which could be repaired in less than an hour. Ed Heinemann is credited with having a large "K.I.S.S." sign put up on the wall of the drawing office when the aircraft was being designed. Whether or not this is true, the A-4 certainly is a shining example of the application of that principle to aircraft design.

The Navy issued a contract for the type on 12 June 1952, and the first prototype first flew from Edwards Air Force Base, California on 22 June 1954. Deliveries to Navy and Marine Corps squadrons (to VA-72 and VMA-224 respectively) commenced in late 1956.

The Skyhawk remained in production until 1979, with a total of 2,960 aircraft built, including 555 two-seat trainers.The last production A-4, an A-4M issued to a Marine squadron (VMA-223) had the flags of all nations who had operated the A-4 series aircraft painted on the fuselage sides.

The McDonnell Douglas A-4 "Skyhawk" in Viet Nam

 

The A-4 Skyhawk carried the battle to the enemy for the U.S. Navy and Marines. Skyhawk models A-4B, A-4C, A-4E, A-4F and TA-4F were involved in the conflict.
A-4 Skyhawk Pilots were in on the action from the very first air strikes in Vietnam, to the very last days of the conflict.

Total Navy Air Losses = 854 Aircraft, 575 Fatalities and 144 POWs.
Of these, 271 (31.7%) were Skyhawks, with 98 (17%) Skyhawk Fatalities and 48 (33%) Skyhawk POWs.

Total Marine Air Loses = 271 Aircraft, 241 Fatalities and 12 POWs.
Of these, 91 (33.6%) were Skyhawks, with 32 (13.3%) Skyhawk Fatalities and 1 (8.3%) Skyhawk POW.

Skyhawk losses to MiGs = 1, to SAMs = 32. Total A-4s lost in combat was 195.

As one would expect statistics vary based upon source. One claims 282 lost during the conflict, 195 of them in combat. But the above stats appear to be the most accurate.

First Skyhawk loss was A-4C 149578 from VA-144 aboard the USS Constellation, struck by AAA on 05AUG64, flown by LTJG Everett Alvarez who became the first, and longest held, POW of the conflict.

Final Skyhawk loss was A-4F 155021 from VA-212 aboard the USS Hancock, struck by AAA on 06SEPT72, the pilot, LT W.F. Pear was rescued.

 A-4  displayed in Viet Nam :

01 AUG 1963	10 MAR 1964	USS Oriskany CVA-34	CVW-16	VA-163	A-4B
				VA-164	A-4B
17 OCT 1963	20 JUL 1964	USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63	CVW11	VA-112	A-4C
				VA-113	A-4C
28 JAN 1964	21 NOV 1964	USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31	CVW-19	VA-192	A-4C
				VA-193	A-4C
14 APR 1964	15 DEC 1964	USS Ticonderoga CVA-14	CVW-5	VA-55	A-4E
				VA-65	A-4E
05 MAY 1964	01 FEB 1965	USS Constellation CVA-64	CVW-14	VA-144	A-4C
				VA-146	A-4C
05 AUG 1964	06 MAY 1965	USS Ranger CVA-61	CVW-9	VA-93	A-4C
				VA-94	A-4C
21 OCT 1964	29 MAY 1965	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-21	VA-216	A-4E
				VA-216	A-4C
23 OCT 1964	16 MAY 1965	USS Yorktown CVS-10	CVSG-55	VMA-223 Det T	A-4C
07 DEC 1964	01 NOV 1965	USS Coral Sea CVA-43	CVW-15	VA-153	A-4C
				VA-155	A-4E
20 FEB 1964	11 AUG 1964	USS Bennington CVS-20	CVSG-59	VA-93 Det Q	A-4B
19 JUN 1964	16 DEC 1964	USS Kearsarge CVS-33	CVSG-53	VA-153 Det R	A-4B
06 MAR 1965	23 NOV 1965	USS Midway CVA-41	CVW-41	VA-22	A-4C
				VA-23	A-4E
05 APR 1965	16 DEC 1965	USS Oriskany CVA-34	CVW-16	VA-163	A-4E
				VA-164	A-4E
10 MAY 1965	13 DEC 1965	USS Independence CVA-62	CVW-7	VA-72	A-4E
				VA-86	A-4E
21 APR 1965	13 JAN 1966	USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31	CVW-9	VA-192	A-4C
				VA-195	A-4C
12 AUG 1965	23 MAR 1966	USS Hornet CVS-12	CVSG-57	H&MS-15 Det N	A-4C
28 SEP 1965	13 MAY 1966	USS Ticonderoga CVA-14	CVW-5	VA-56	A-4E
				VA-144	A-4C
26 OCT 1965	21 JUN 1966	USS Enterprise CVAN-65	CVW-9	VA-36	A-4C
				VA-76	A-4C
				VA-93	A-4C
				VA-94	A-4C
10 NOV 1965	01 AUG 1966	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-21	VA-212	A-4E
				VA-216	A-4C
19 OCT 1965	13 JUN 1966	USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63	CVW-11	VA-113	A-4C
10 DEC 1965	25 AUG 1966	USS Ranger CVA-61	CVW-14	VA-55	A-4E
				VA-146	A-4C
22 MAR 1965	07 OCT 1965	USS Bennington CVS-20	CVSG-59	VA-113 Det Q	A-4B
04 APR 1966	21 NOV 1966	USS Intrepid CVS-11	CVW-10	VA-15	A-4B
				VA-95	A-4B
12 MAY 1966	03 DEC 1966	USS Constellation CVA-64	CVW-15	VA-153	A-4C
				VA-155	A-4E
26 MAY 1966	16 NOV 1966	USS Oriskany CVA-34	CVW-16	VA-163	A-4E
				VA-164	A-4E
21 JUN 1966	21 FEB 1967	USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA-42	CVW-42	VA-12	A-4E
				VA-72	A-4E
				VA-172	A-4C
29 JUL 1966	23 FEB 1967	USS Coral Sea CVA-43	CVW-2	VA-22	A-4C
				VA-23	A-4E
15 OCT 1966	29 MAY 1967	USS Ticonderoga CVA-14	CVW-19	VA-192	A-4E
				VA-192	A-4C
05 NOV 1966	19 JUN 1967	USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63	CVW-11	VA-112	A-4C
				VA-144	A-4C
19 NOV 1966	06 JUL 1967	USS Enterprise CVAN-65	CVW-9	VA-56	A-4C
				VA-113	A-4C
05 JAN 1967	22 JUL 1967	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-5	VA-93	A-4E
				VA-94	A-4C
26 JAN 1967	25 AUG 1967	USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31	CVW-21	VA-76	A-4C
				VA-212	A-4E
29 APR 1967	04 DEC 1967	USS Constellation CVA-64	CVW-14	VA-55	A-4C
				VA-146	A-4C
11 MAY 1967	30 DEC 1967	USS Intrepid CVS-11	CVW-10	VSF-3	A-4B
				VA-15	A-4C
				VA-34	A-4C
06 JUN 1967	15 SEP 1967	USS Forrestal CVA-59	CVW-17	VA-46	A-4E
				VA-106	A-4E
16 JUN 1967	31 JAN 1968	USS Oriskany CVA-34	CVW-16	VA-163	A-4E
				VA-164	A-4E
26 JUL 1967	06 APR 1968	Uss Coral Sea CVA-43	CVW-15	VA-153	A-4E
				VA-155	A-4E
04 NOV 1967	25 MAY 1968	USS Ranger CVA-61	CVW-2	VA-22	A-4C
18 NOV 1967	28 JUN 1968	USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63	CVW-11	VA-112	A-4C
				VA-144	A-4E
28 DEC 1967	17 AUG 1968	USS Ticonderoga CVA-14	CVW-19	VA-23	A-4F
				VA-192	A-4F
				VA-192	A-4C
03 JAN 1968	18 JUL 1968	USS Enterprise CVAN-65	CVW-9	VA-56	A-4E
				VA-113	A-4F
27 JAN 1968	10 OCT 1968	USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31	CVW-5	VA-93	A-4F
				VA-94	A-4E
				VA-212	A-4F
04 JUN 1968	08 FEB 1969	USS Intrepid CVS-11	CVW-10	VA-36	A-4C
				VA-66	A-4C
				VA-106	A-4E
18 JUL 1968	03 MAR 1969	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-21	VA-55	A-4F
				VA-163	A-4E
				VA-164	A-4E
07 SEP 1968	18 APR 1969	USS Coral Sea CVA-43	CVW-15	VA-153	A-4F
				VA-216	A-4C
26 OCT 1968	17 MAY 1969	USS Ranger CVA-61	CVW-2	VA-155	A-4F
01 FEB 1969	18 SEP 1969	USS Ticonderoga CVA-14	CVW-16	VA-112	A-4C
18 MAR 1969	29 OCT 1969	USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31	CVW-5	VA-22	A-4F
				VA-94	A-4E
				VA-144	A-4E
14 APR 1969	17 NOV 1969	USS Oriskany CVA-34	CVW-19	VA-23	A-4F
				VA-192	A-4F
				VA-195	A-4E
02 AUG 1969	15 APR 1970	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-21	VA-55	A-4F
				VA-164	A-4F
				VA-212	A-4F
05 MAR 1970	17 DEC 1970	USS Shangri-la CVS-38	CVW-8	VA-12	A-4C
				VA-152	A-4E
				VA-172	A-4C
02 APR 1970	12 NOV 1970	USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31	CVW-5	VA-22	A-4F
				VA-94	A-4E
				VA-144	A-4F
22 OCT 1970	03 JUN 1971	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-21	VA-55	A-4F
				VA-164	A-4F
				VA-212	A-4F
07 JAN 1972	03 OCT 1972	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-21	VA-55	A-4F
				VA-164	A-4F/TA-4F
				VA-212	A-4F
08 MAY 1973	08 JAN 1974	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-21	VA-55	A-4F
				VA-164	A-4F/TA-4F
				VA-212	A-4F
18 MAR 1975	20 OCT 1975	USS Hancock CVA-19	CVW-21	VA-55	A-4F
				VA-164	A-4F/TA-4F
				VA-212

John McCain A-4E on the USS ORISKANY

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 (2 in OA-4F, TA-4F, TA-4J)
• Length: 40 ft 3 in (12.22 m)
• Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
• Height: 15 ft (4.57 m)
• Wing area: 259 ft² (24.15 m²)
• Airfoil: NACA 0008-1.1-25 root, NACA 0005-0.825-50 tip
• Empty weight: 10,450 lb (4,750 kg)
• Loaded weight: 18,300 lb (8,318 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 24,500 lb (11,136 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney J52-P8A turbojet, 9,300 lbf (10,000+ USMC A-4M and OA-4M) (41 kN)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 585 kn (673 mph, 1,077 km/h)
• Range: 1,700 nmi (2,000 mi, 3,220 km)
• Combat radius: 625 nmi, 1,158 km/h ()
• Service ceiling: 42,250 ft (12,880 m)
• Rate of climb: 8,440 ft/min (43 m/s)
• Wing loading: 70.7 lb/ft² (344.4 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: 0.51
• g-limit: -3/+8 g

Armament

• Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) Colt Mk 12 cannon, 100 rounds/gun
• Hardpoints: 4× under-wing & 1× under-fuselage pylon stations holding up to 9,900 lb (4,490 kg) of payload
• Rockets:
  
  • 4× LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4× 127 mm Mk 32 Zuni rockets)
• 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
• 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)
  • B57 nuclear bomb
  • B61 nuclear bomb
• Others:
  • up to 3× 300/330/370 US Gallon Sargent Fletcher drop tanks (pylon stations 2, 3, 4 are wet plumbed) for ferry flight/extended range/loitering time

Avionics

• Stewart-Warner AN/APQ-145 Mapping & Ranging radar (mounted on A-4F, also found on A-4E/N/S/SU)  
• APN 141 Doppler Ground Radar (refitted to C and E, standard in the F)

Comments

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