RAN A4-G - 878, SKYHAWK EXHAUST TEMPERATURE INDICATOR

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.

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.

Ten of the total of twenty Ag-4 Skyhawks in Australian service were lost during operations with the high loss rate partially due to the significant challenges and hazard of carrier operations which accounted for the loss of four aircraft and the deaths of two pilots.

Some of the other losses occurred during flight operations as the direct result of engine and airframe system failures. one of these occurred of the 28 April 1980 when the engine of RAN Skyhawk 878 as it was coming into land at HMAS Albatross in NSW. Fortunately the pilot was able to eject successfully and was rescued by RAN helicopter, unharmed.

This 'face' damaged, Lewis Engine EHU-4/A Exhaust Temperature Indicator was salvaged from the wreckage of that crash and still carries its manufacturing Data Plate plus a Royal Australian Navy Data Sticker around its main body.

Paired with either a 1/72 scale or a highly detailed 1/48 or Ultra detailed 1/32 handbuilt, airbrushed and weathered scale model with authentic decals and markings of Skyhawk 878, this original Recovery Curios Instrument display is an awesome testament to the dedication, committment and skills of Australian naval aviators and the aircraft they flew. 

* Note that this A4G Skyhawkr comes with the standard detailed, but smaller 1/72 scale. Click on the 'Model Upgrade' option at the top of this page for the larger super detailed 1/48 scale or Ultra detailed 1/32 scale.

RAN Skyhawks aboard HMAS Melbourne and top inset images:
Nick Thorne. GNU Free Documentation License
RAN Skyhawk runway taxi image: Ken Hodge Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
RAN Skyhawk carrier landing image: Nick Thorne. GNU Free Documentation License
Inset images of RAN Skyhawk 878 with thanks to Peter Kelly  and the ADF Serials Military Aircraft Group

This Douglas A4G Skyhawk Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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