- Yes
- No
HUGE THANKS to @Shin_Kazama for providing sources!
Historical overview
Spoiler
The A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat, single-engine naval strike aircraft. Designed by Ed Heinemann, it was contracted for in June 1952 and two years later it flew for the first time. Having participated in numerous conflicts and still in service to this day, it is undoubtedly one of the most succesful designs in military aviation history.
The particular variant this suggestion is focused on is the A-4M Skyhawk II. It is the last variant of this aircraft produced by the United States and it was built specifically for the Marines, who did not want to give up on the A-4 at a time when the A-7 Corsair II was replacing it in the Navy.
Two A-4Fs were modified, serving as the A-4M prototypes, and the production of this new model started in 1969. It first flew on April 10th, 1970, and the first deliveries began taking place a year later, and gradually it was incorporated into Marine squadrons.
The last A-4M, BuNo 160264, was delivered in February 1979, marking the end of Skyhawk production.
A-4Ms remained in service with Reserve units until 1994. After that date, the only Skyhawks remaining in service with the Navy or Marines were two-seat trainers.
Above: the last A-4M built, BuNo 160264 showing the flags of all Skyhawk operators at the time.
Features and characteristics
Spoiler
The main feature of the A-4M was the new engine, the P&W J52-P-408, which was noticeably more powerful than the previous J52-P-8A on A-4Fs.
Other features, improvements, visual characteristics found in the A-4M are the following:
- Smokeless burner can
- Revised cockpit and larger canopy for improved visibility
- Ribbon type drag chute
- Squared off vertical fin for an IFF antenna
- Heads Up Display
- Increased internal ammunition for it’s 20mm cannons
- Canted refueling probe
- Integrated weapons display and delivery systems
- Advanced electronics. ALR-45(V) RWR, ALE-39 countermeasures, ALQ-126 deception jammer.
- ARBS (also found on the nose of the AV-8B/Harrier GR.7)
Some pictures and schematics:
Spoiler
Close-up of a late A-4M’s nose, with ARBS
Close-ups of the A-4M’s tail
A-4M’s exterior features
Cockpit layout and details
Examples of HUD symbology
Technical data
Spoiler
Engine
Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408
11,200 lb of thrust, static @ sea level
Fuel and oil
- Total internal capacity: 800 gallons, 560 in the fuselage and 240 in the wings
- Fuel grade: JP-4
- Oil: 5 gallons
Aircraft dimensions
- Length: 41 ft 3 inch
- Height: 15 ft 3 inch
- Wing span: 27 ft 6 inch
- Wing area: 260 sq ft
Weights
- Empty: 10,048 lb
- Combat: 17,657 lb
- Maximum takeoff weight: 24,500 lb
Performance
- Maximum speed: 597 knots
- Rate of climb: 15,650 @ sea level, 14,700lb combat weight
- Service ceiling: 44,300 ft
Armament
Guns
- 2x Colt Mk 12 20mm cannons, 200 rounds of ammunition each, 400 total
Ordnance
Table of ordnance options (early production):
- AGM-45 Shrike
- AGM-62 Walleyes I and II
- AGM-65 Maverick
- AIM-9B, D, G, H and L Sidewinders
- Mk 82, 83 and 84 Laser Guided Bombs (note: A-4M cannot self-designate, I mention these bombs for future reference)
- GPU-2A 20mm gunpods
- Mk 4 Mod 0 20mm HIPEG gunpods
Sources and pictures of the ordnance mentioned:
Pictures
Sources
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NAVAIR 01-40AVM-1 NATOPS Flight Manual, Navy Model A-4M Aircraft, 1 March 1987
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Standard Aircraft Characteristics A-4M Skyhawk
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NAVAIR 01-40AVM-75 Airborne Weapons/Stores Loading Manual, Navy Model A-4M ,15 November 1979
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Avionics System Performance Specification for A-4M/AV-8 Bombing Set, Angle Rate AN/ASB-19(V)
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McDonell Douglas A-4M Skyhawk by Steve Ginter
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A-4 Skyhawk in Detail & Scale by Bert Kinzey
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A-4M Skyhawk - Aeroguide 14
