The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company, and later, McDonnell Douglas.

Douglas Test Pilot Robert O. Rahn, the first pilot to fly the A-4 Skyhawk, the Ferrari of airplanes. Test pilot Bob Rahn is pictured in the first A-4, XA4D-1 BuNo. 137812 shortly after the first Skyhawk flight.

Jun 29, 2022 · The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk has a long and impressive history that spans over more than half a century. Developed for the US Navy and Marine Corps, it’s been adopted by Air Forces around the world and continues to be a beast in the sky.

Nov 9, 2016 · This plane enjoyed the longest production run of any tactical aircraft in the history of aviation, about 25 years! The Skyhawk's contribution to the conflict in South-east Asia is well documented. Top Gun Instructors flying the Skyhawk "whupped" everything in the sky - including Tomcats, Phantoms, Crusaders, Hornets and Vipers.

Jul 24, 2018 · Designed in late 1951 to replace the Navy’s piston-engine A-1 Skyraider, at a time when nuclear massive retaliation was the national doctrine, the A-4’s specifications called for a light, expendable aircraft capable of carrying a single 2,000-pound bomb to a target 300 nautical miles away at a maximum speed of 500 knots (520 mph).

The incredible 25 year Skyhawk production run, which began in February 1954 when A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137812 was rolled out for engine run-up, came to an end on February 27, 1979 when the U.S. Navy accepted A-4M BuNo 160264 from McDonnel-Douglas.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) operated Douglas A-4 Skyhawk attack jet-aircraft from 1970 to 2001. The aircraft equipped the RNZAF's Strike Wing, serving with No. 75 Squadron and, from 1984, No. 2 Squadron .

Nov 4, 2024 · Its innovative design, impressive stats, and enduring legacy make the A-4 Skyhawk plane beloved by aviation enthusiasts and the pilots who flew them. Let’s dive into 10 fascinating facts about this “Scooter” that earned its place in the skies and in history.

Feb 4, 2025 · In the 1950s, in the coldest days of the Cold War, the United States Navy put out calls to its defense-industrial base to design a light attack aircraft that could operate from smaller, post-World...

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is an American single-engine carrier-capable lightweight attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy. Still in active service in a few countries, it has been retired by most operators. There are many examples of the Skyhawk preserved around the world, ...