Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>A-4>HA1435

General Background

The A-4 Skyhawk is one of the most successful attack aircrafts ever built. This smallest jet aircraft ever deployed on a carrier was the product of Douglas's Chief Engineer Ed Heinnemann in the 1952. This was the time when a more lightweight aircraft was in demand to fit into those post-war vintage carriers.

The Skyhawk was extensively used during the Cold War period and the Vietnam War by the Navy and the Marines. Because of its small size and powerful performance, the A-4 was also known as the “Heinnemann's Hot Rod”. A total of 2, 960 of Skyhawk were built and many of them were exported to other countries.

The Aircraft

VMA-142 “Flying Gators” was established in 1942 as VMSB-142, deactivated in 1945 only to be reactivated in July 1946 as VMF-142. In 1990 they became VMFA-142. In the early 1970’s the squadron was first equipped with the A-4L before transitioning to the A-4F. The A-4F was ordered in 1965 and differed from the previous A-4E with the addition of steerable nose wheels, wing lift spoilers and upgraded ejection seats. The A-4F also had the hump-back dorsal and bent re-fuel probe. In the 1980s the unit began transitioning to the AV-8B Harrier.

Specifications :

Type:	Carrier based, single-seat attack bomber
Total number of “F” variant manufactured:	147
Dimensions
Length:	40 ft 1 in  (12.22 m)
Height:	15 ft 2 in  (4.62 m)
Wingspan:	27 ft 6 in  (8.38 m)
Wing area:	260 sq. ft  (24.15 m2 )
Weight
Empty Weight:	9,853 lbs.  (4,469.24 kg)
Gross Weight:	16,216 lbs.  (7,355.45 kg)
Maximum Weight:	24,500 lbs.  (11,113.013 kg)
Powerplant:	1 X Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408
Thrust-lb:	11,200 lbs.  (5080.2345 kg)
Performance
Range:	2,000 miles (3,218.688 km)
Max. Speed:	646 mph  (1,039.6362 kph)
Ceiling:	40,000 ft  (1,2192 m)
Armament:	5 X hard points capable of carrying a maximum 10,000-lbs.
	2 X 20mm cannon in wings with 100 rounds per gun.