Scale aviation modeller international

T

he A4D/A-4 Skyhawk is without doubt

one of the more successful military aircraft

of the post-War era. It entered service with

the US Navy in late 1956 and served with distinction for

many years, bearing much of the early action in carrier-based

strikes against North Vietnam during the 1960s. The Skyhawk was

in continuous production for over twenty-seven years, and although the A-4

is no longer serving with the US Navy and US Marine Corps, a few

examples are still operational in foreign hands, and private defence

contractors. Douglas built 2,960 Skyhawks between 1954 and 1979,

and this small yet effective aircraft packed a mighty punch and these

lightweight, high-speed bombers was affectionately nicknamed

‘Heinemann’s Hot Rod’, the ‘Bantam Bomber’ and ‘Scooter’. Upgraded

models had improved engines and a drogue parachute, new avionics

displays, larger cockpit canopies and more ammunition for the two

cannons, and the two-seat trainer versions included the TA-4F and

TA-4J series. As noted, its combat career began with the first American

carrier-launched raids on North Vietnam, August 4, 1964, and during

Israel’s Yom Kippur war in 1973, Israeli Air Force Skyhawks provided

much of the short-range striking power on the Sinai and Golan

Heights fronts. Skyhawks were also in action against British forces

during the 1982 Falkland’s conflict, where they paid a heavy price

against the Sea Harrier. The Navy’s ‘Blue Angels’ flight demonstration

team flew the Skyhawk from 1974 to 1986, and Skyhawks were also

used by the armed forces of Australia, Kuwait, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia

and New Zealand. An additional role undertaken by the Skyhawk was that

of ‘aggressor aircraft’. During the Vietnam War, it was found that the air-

to-air kill ratio against North Vietnamese fighter aircraft was too low. In an

attempt to improve this, the Navy Fighter Weapons School - better known

as ‘Top Gun’ - designed to train pilots against Soviet-bloc aircraft, adopted

the Skyhawk and when its avionics and weapons systems were stripped out

it proved to be an extremely agile aircraft, and one which could simulate

the performance characteristics of the MiG-17. The A-4 Skyhawk remains

one the iconic designs of the Cold War era, and its history and operations are

celebrated in these pages of this new Datafile from SAM Publications.

SKYHAWK

THE DOUGLAS A-4

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

MDF 31

SKYHAWK

£24.99

+ P&P

By Andy Evans

SKYHAWKM D F^31

SKYHAWK

THE DOUGLAS A-4

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

by Andy Evans

THE DOUGLAS A-4 SKYHAWK

SAM Publications

Modellers Datafile • 31

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US Navy, US Marine Corps and Foreign Versions

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M D F

SKYHAWK

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