Douglas A-4C Skyhawk

History

This small and agile delta jet, originally designed as carrier-based (nuclear) bomber, later enjoyed a long career as an extremely versatile attack aircraft. The concept behind the Douglas A-4 was to keep the design simple and the weight as light as possible.
The A-4 met both of those qualifications easily. Later developments had a large dorsal spine to make room for electronics. The A-4 was kept in production for 22 years, and is still serving with some air forces. The OA-4 is a two-seat FAC version for the USMC, and the trainer version is known as TA-4. 2960 built.
The importance of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, for the Quonset Air Museum, is the fact that first operational A-4 Squadron was VA-72, stationed at N.A.S. Quonset Point.
The Museum’s A-4C, U.S. Navy Bureau Number: 147790 (blue fuselage) is currently under restoration. It will be restored to the original markings of VA-113 "STINGERS" which was assigned to U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65) from November 19, 1966 to July 6, 1967 during the ships first combat tour in Vietnam.

Specifications

Description

Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Corporation
Designation: A-4
Version: C
Nickname: Skyhawk
Type: Carrier based, Single seat attack bomber (light)
Navy Bureau Number: 147790

Dimensions

Length: 39 ft 4 in
Height: 15 ft 0 in
Wingspan: 27 ft 6 in
Wing area: 260 sq. ft

Weights

Empty Weight: 9853 lbs.
Gross Weight: 16,216 lbs.
Maximum Weight: 24,500 lbs.

Propulsion

Power plant: Single Pratt & Whitney J65-W-20
Thrust-lb.: 8,400 lbs.

Performance

Range: 2,000 miles
Max. Speed: 646 mph
Ceiling: 40,000 ft

Armament

Five under-fuselage hard points with 10,000-lbs. capacity.
Two 20mm cannon in wing roots with 100 rounds per gun.

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