{"id":728,"date":"2026-06-23T20:35:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T00:35:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviation.christophermreed.net\/?page_id=728"},"modified":"2026-06-23T20:35:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T00:35:16","slug":"a-4a-skyhawk-walkaround-and-a-4-references","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/christophermreed.net\/aviation\/a-4a-skyhawk-walkaround-and-a-4-references\/","title":{"rendered":"A-4A Skyhawk walkaround and A-4 references"},"content":{"rendered":"

Among the most successful postwar naval aircraft, Douglas’ A4D was contracted for well before the end of the Korean War, would be the mainstay of USN and USMC light attack squadrons during much of the Vietnam era, and remained in production until 1979. Yet another product from veteran designer Ed Heinemann, the A4D’s simple and lightweight design was a reaction to the ever increasing size and sophistication (and cost) of tactical types of the period – a point driven home by pilots in Korea were facing the comparatively austere but no less deadly MiG-15.<\/p>\n

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\"A4D-1\/A-4A
High-angle starboard three-quarter aft view of a Douglas A4D-1, painted in U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration livery as “Blue Angel 6” on display inside the MAPS Air Museum hangar. The image highlights the wing planform, yellow wingtips and tail cap, engine exhaust nozzle, vertical tail markings featuring the number “6”, and undersurface “U.S. NAVY” stenciling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Side
Low-angle underwing close-up view showing the main landing gear assembly and inner gear door structure of a Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk on display at the MAPS Air Museum. The image highlights the white landing gear struts, wheel hubs, wheel chocks, wing leading edge slat, and underside blue fuselage finish inside the hangar facility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A-4
The image highlights the array of small vortex generators arrayed along the trailing edge, yellow wingtip leading edge trim, fuselage skin seams, “U.S. NAVY” stenciling, and gold “Blue Angels” script lettering near the cockpit root.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A-4
The image highlights the sliding canopy canopy rail, gold pilot name stencil “Lcdr Stu Powrie”, prominent U.S. Navy Blue Angels insignia shield, yellow cheatline stripe, and the silver leading-edge intake scoop lip.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Side \"A-4 \"A-4 \"A-4<\/p>\n

A review of Osprey Combat Aircraft Series #11: A-4 Skyhawk by Lindsay Peacock<\/b>
\nSome highlights:2-page cutaway diagram of the A-4M<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

Color section includes profiles of:<\/p>\n

TA-4J of VT-86
\nA-4M of VMA-214
\nA-4F of the Fighter Weapons School
\nA-4C of VA-93 \/ USS Enterprise<\/i>
\nRNZAF A-4K of No.75 Squadron
\nRoyal Australian Navy A-4G of No.85 Squadron
\nA-4PTM
\nA-4S
\nArgentine A-4C<\/p>\n

Review of A-4 Skyhawk Walk-Around<\/b>
\nThe A4D \/ A-4 Skyhawk is one of the more notable warplanes of the postwar era, having been produced for a quarter-century., and is only now in the twilight of its military service. I don’t believe you’ll find a finer photographic look at the “Scooter” than this book by Lou Drendel. Cockpits and access panels are opened up for inspection, and there are numerous relevant diagrams from A-4 manuals.<\/p>\n

Some highlights:<\/p>\n

Skyhawk evolution – side view drawings from the XA4D-1 prototype through the TA-4S stepped-cockpit trainer for Singapore.
\nA-4E 3-view & specifications
\nA-4C external features diagram & cutaway
\nTop Gun A-4M cockpit color photo
\nTA-4J cockpit
\nIsraeli A-4M cockpit photos
\nA-4L cockpit photo (B&W) The A-4L was a rebuild of A-4Cs with the dorsal
\nA-4M drag chute housing photo
\nIsraeli extended tailpipe mod to counter the threat from SA-7 Grail shoulder-fired SAMs
\ndiagram – A-4M antenna locations
\nTA-4J VF-126 adversary
\nTA-4J of VX-4 with sharkmouth<\/p>\n

Color profiles include:<\/p>\n

A-4B of VA-93 detachment aboard USS Bennington<\/i>
\nA-4C of VA-153 aboard USS Coral Sea
\nA-4E Marine squadron VMA-331 aboard USS Forrestal<\/i>
\nA-4E of VA-56 aboard USS Enterprise<\/i>
\nMarine OA-4M fast FAC of H&MS-12
\nTA-4F of VT-86 in two-tone gray tactical paint<\/p>\n

Sample book via Squadron\/Signal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A-4 Skyhawk bibliography and further suggested reading:<\/b><\/p>\n