Discussion thread for the Douglas/McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk for all nations (made this since I didn’t notice one of these beforehand)
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I recently re-acquired a digital version of Steve Ginter’s book on the Skyhawk, including a lot of in-depth photographs. I will be posting some of these relatively soon.
I am also looking to acquire the 1987 revised version of the A-4M’s flight manual within the next few days.
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Is there info on New Zealand’s upgraded A-4K?
Not really, aside from readily available stuff I guess.
It’s not one I’ve really looked too much into aside from basic stuff, I guess I’ve been mostly pre-occupied with the A-4M lol
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How about Rudolf, the original Fighting Hawk?
When the Techs at China Lake found out the top brass had initiated a preliminary study in to a ‘FA-4’ for use from smaller carriers they decided to make their own prototype. A standard A-4B was taken off the flight line, an AN/APS-67 'recovered" from a F8U installed in the nose (well almost, a F11F nose cone extension was required as it proved too long) and a radar display bolted to the underside of the instrument panel.
Although not production standard It worked fine and gave the plane a limited all weather capability and allowed the fitment of 2x AIM-9C.
The official project was shelved and Rudolf would have come and gone unnoticed except for ‘accidentally’ being placed in a lineup and photographed during a VIP visit.
The final straw was when the hierarchy discovered China Lake pilots had been using her during carrier requalifications bringing in questions from ships crews about this mysterious upgrade in the works. She was ordered grounded and the trail goes cold until the day she was finally struck off.
Imo a good event/premium - a unique version but not significantly so as the changes really only affect it’s air to air capability in a minor capacity, but it would sport a different look to the tech tree B for those who collect camos.
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I hope gajin add another A-4 for USA tech tree at least 2 or 3 variants between A-4B & FJ-4B and AV-8C, and after AV-8C in rank VI
I’d just like an A-4 that can carry more than two missiles in US tree…
AFAIK, A-4M can carry four Sidewinders? Oh and more ammo for cannons is a plus
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Oh Gaijin, the things I would do for you to add a certain later USMC upgraded variant of the Skyhawk to the game.
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That’s the big one I want, though part of me is hoping Gaijin either contracted the original model-maker and had it updated/upgraded, or has a later-model of the A-4M stashed away somewhere ready to be used…
Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Torpedo bomber!
The Skyhawks were part of the development and qualification of high-speed/altitude carry and drop of the torpedo rather than a weapon qualification for service use. These were just one of several exotic loads carried by these early aircraft once they had been replaced by more capable variants and passed to China Lake. Most of these Skyhawks were unmodified besides wiring for cameras as long as the store was a simple fly/drop exercise, although a few such as the rocket motor thing sters would obviously be more involved.
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A-4PM’s & TA-4PM’s, pretty much A-4B, C’s, TA-4F & J’s upgraded to A-4L & M specifications for the Royal Malaysian Airforce (RMAF)
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I just acquired the 1987 revised A-4M manual.
Got the chance to look it over, and there’s a lot of good stuff on the HUD in there
E yo. Gib me my A-4M
Something that really excited me was this:
Seeing the possiblity of the A-4 being armed with a nuclear anti-radiation missile was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, I figured that this was simply a proposal, as the only photo I could find at the time was the Corvus on the A3D-2. However, I’m very stubborn and I wanted to find out more about the Corvus in general, which led me to the 3 following photos:
Spoiler
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What’s wrong with this plane? It flies like a bull took a piss, constantly swaying from side to side. The later modifications have an autopilot, but it doesn’t help at all. And the missiles fly below the sight.
And when flying straight, its angle of attack approaches 10 degrees. Is that even normal?