DOUGLAS A4G SKYHAWK

Seeking a replacement for their highly successful carrier launched,
propeller driven Douglas A-1 Skyraider, the USN and USMC commissioned the development of a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft.

At almost half the weight of the navy’s initial specifications, the Skyhawk
was not only compact but was a relatively simple, uncomplicated design with a delta-wing configuration and tricycle undercarriage.

During its maiden flight the Skyhawk prototype set the world speed record at 695 mph and it was introduced into service in October 1956.

With five wing hard points capable of careering a wide range of missiles, bombs and other ordinance it could carry the bomb load equivalent of the WWII Boeing B-17 and pioneered the ‘buddy’ air-to-air refuelling system which reduced the need for dedicated large aerial tankers.

During its operational life, the Skyhawk saw combat in a number of conflicts around the globe. The USN operated it as a carrier launched light-attack bomber during the war in Vietnam; it was the main attack aircraft used by the Israeli Airforce during the Yom Kippur War and it was used extremely successfully by the Argentine Airforce again British naval vessels during the Falklands War.

20 A-4 Skyhawks were operated by Australias Fleet Air Arm launching from the flight deck of HMAS Melbourne, with another 14 operated by New Zealand’s Airforce in 1970. New Zealand in fact posted their fleet of Skyhawks with the later acquisition of 10 Skyhawks from the Australian Navy in 1983 after the retirement of Australia’s last remaining aircraft carrier and their switch to land based maritime operations and a greater concentration on ship launched helicopter operations.

Like many pilots before them, RAN pilots found the Skyhawk both light and agile with a simple design but once its ordinance had been dropped, the aircraft could be very ‘touchy’ and susceptible to crossed winds on landing and low operations. 

If the Skyhawk suffered engine or a main flight system failure at low level, there was often little a pilot could do to maintain level flight and as a consequence, the Skyhawk’s ejection system had a significant workout throughout the aircraft’s world-wide operations.

The McDonnell Douglas A-4G Skyhawk was a variant of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft developed for the Royal Australian Navy. The model was based on the A-4F variant of the Skyhawk, and was fitted with slightly different avionics as well as the capacity to operate AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. 

In Australian service the A-4Gs formed part of the air group of the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, and were primarily used to provide air defence for the fleet. They took part in exercises throughout the Pacific region and also supported the training of RAN warships as well as other elements of the Australian military.

The Skyhawks did not see combat, and a planned deployment of some of their pilots to fight in the Vietnam War was cancelled before it took place. Ten A-4Gs were destroyed as a result of equipment failures and non-combat crashes during the type's service with the Navy, causing the deaths of two pilots.

The RAN had no need for most of its fixed-wing aircraft after Melbourne was decommissioned in 1982, and two years later the ten remaining A-4Gs were sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for training purposes. Between 1986 and 1991 these aircraft were upgraded and re-designated A-4Ks.

Two of the former A-4Gs crashed during 2001, resulting in the death of a pilot. The RNZAF's Skyhawks were retired in 2001. Eight A-4Ks, including six former A-4Gs, were sold to Draken International in 2012 and are in service supporting United States military training exercises.

All Douglas A4G Skyhawk Instruments listed below come complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

Brazilian Skyhawk takeoff image: Photographer's Mate 1st Class John S. Lill  public domain
USN Skyhawks on flight deck image: PH3 Adrian, USN  public domain
RAN Skyhawk carrier landing image: Nick Thorne. GNU Free Documentation License
RAN Skyhawks aboard HMAS Melbourne image: Nick Thorne. GNU Free Documentation License

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