Would you like to see this in-game?
Which engine variant would you like to see implemented on the A-4F?
9,300-lbf J52-P-8A turbojet (initial engine)
11,200-lbf J52-P-408 turbojet (upgraded engine)
Both. Start with the J52-P-8A and unlock the J52-P-408 as a modification.
I said “No” in the first poll.
Douglas A-4F Skyhawk
Hey everybody. I’d like to suggest the A-4F Skyhawk, a subsequent and combat-refined development of the A-4E designed with lessons learned from the Vietnam War. The A-4F introduced several important improvements, including the standardized avionics hump, wing spoilers, nosewheel steering, additional cockpit armor, and the possibility of using the more powerful J52-P-408 engine. A total of 147 A-4Fs were produced, and the variant entered combat service over Vietnam beginning in late 1967.
History
The A-4F represented the culmination of many upgrades that had gradually appeared during late A-4E production. Unlike earlier variants where features such as the avionics hump and cranked refueling probe were retrofit additions, the A-4F incorporated them from the start as standard equipment. The dorsal avionics hump, mounted between the canopy and the vertical stabilizer, provided space for additional electronic warfare and defensive systems that could not fit within the compact Skyhawk fuselage.
The aircraft also introduced a zero-zero ejection seat, giving pilots a greatly improved survival chance during low-altitude emergencies. Nosewheel steering improved carrier deck handling and ground maneuverability, while wing-top spoilers enhanced roll control and handling characteristics. Additional armor plating around the cockpit increased pilot protection during strike missions against heavily defended ground targets.
The prototype A-4F, converted from A-4E BuNo 152101, completed its first flight on August 31, 1966. Production totaled 147 aircraft. Since the variant had been designed specifically with combat operations in Southeast Asia in mind, deliveries began directly to Pacific Fleet squadrons in June 1967. The first operational units to receive the A-4F were VA-23 and VA-93, both of which deployed to Vietnam later that same year.
Standard production A-4Fs were powered by the Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8A turbojet producing 9,300 pounds of thrust. However, approximately one hundred aircraft were later upgraded with the significantly more powerful J52-P-408 engine, increasing thrust output to around 11,200 pounds. These upgraded aircraft became informally known as “Super Fox” Skyhawks due to their noticeably improved performance.
Some late-service A-4Fs also received additional electronic warfare upgrades, including the ALR-45 radar warning receiver mounted at the top of the vertical stabilizer and a small chin-mounted DECM antenna beneath the nose. These additions improved survivability against radar-guided threats and reflected the evolving combat environment experienced during the Vietnam War.
Beyond frontline combat service, the A-4F also became well known through its use by the Blue Angels flight demonstration team. Eighteen A-4F aircraft fitted with the P-408 engine served with the team from 1973 until 1986, becoming one of the most iconic aircraft used by the squadron.
After retirement from frontline attack duties, a number of surviving A-4Fs found a second life as adversary aircraft with Navy and Marine Corps training squadrons, where their compact size, maneuverability, and strong handling characteristics made them effective at dogfighting dissimilar air combat trainers.
Specifications
Douglas A-4F Skyhawk
General Characteristics
Crew: 1 (Pilot)
Dimensions:
Length: 40 ft 1.2 in (12.2 m)
Height: 15 ft (4.6 m)
Wingspan: 27 ft 6 in (8.4 m)
Wing Area: 260 sq ft (24.15 sq m)
Powerplant:
Type: 1 x Pratty & Whitney J52-P-8A turbojet
Power Output:
Military: 9,300 lbf (41.4 kN) @ 12,060 rpm
Normal: 8,200 lbf (36.5 kN) @ 11,660 rpm
Fuel/Oil:
Fuel Capacity: 800 US-gal (3,028 L)
Oil Capacity: 5 US-gal (18.9 L)
Weight:
Empty: 10,169 lb (4,612 kg)
Gross: 14,400 lb (6,532 kg)
Max. Takeoff: 24,500 lb (11,113 kg)
Flight Performance
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.65
Wing Loading: 55 lb/sq ft (269 kg/sq m)
Max Speed:
Sea Level: 588 kts (677 mph, 1,089 km/h)
At Altitude: 590 kts (679 mph, 1,090 km/h) @ 3,500 ft (1,067 m)
Stall:
Power-off: 98 kts (113 mph, 181 km/h)
Power-on: 94 kts (108 mph, 174 km/h)
Rate of Climb: 12,000 fpm (61 m/s)
Service Ceiling: 43,900 ft (13,381 m)
Armament
Avionics:
AN/APG-53A surface radar
AN/AJB-3A LABS computer
Guns:
2 x 20 mm Colt Mk 12 Mod 0 cannons (100 rpg; 200 rds)
Air-to-Air Missiles:
4 x AIM-9D Sidewinders (Potentially)
Air-to-Ground Missiles:
5 x AGM-12A/B Bullpups
2 x AGM-12C Bullpups
4 x AGM-45A Shrikes
Bombs:
Mk 80 Series General Purpose Bombs
750-lb M117 Bombs
Mk-77/-79 Fire Bombs
Mk Series Sea Mines
Rockets:
7-tubed LAU-32A/A for 2.75” (69.85 mm) FFARs
19-tubed LAU-3A/A for 2.75” (69.85 mm) FFARs
4-tubed LAU-10/A for 5” (127mm) Zuni rockets
Drop Tanks:
1 x 400 US-gal drop tank
3 x 300 US-gal drop tanks
3 x 150 US-gal drop tanks
Other:
AN/ALE-29A chaff/flare countermeasures dispenser
Standard Aircraft Characteristics
Sources
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
3 Likes
Seems like the mods are having a Douglas A-4 day
1 Like
they remembered the A-4 is a thing
2 Likes
Most likely they just go down a list and there was a blob of them. Hay mods what does the suggestion list look to you on the back end? Like is it some list on your screen?
