US Navy | 1961 Douglas A-4C Skyhawk | cn 12764 | N401FS
Pima Air & Space Museum - Tucson, Arizona - 29 DEC 2014
US Navy 1961 Douglas A-4C Skyhawk 148571 displayed at the museum entrance in the markings of Flight Systems, Inc., Mojave, California, N401FS, 1974-1981.
The A-4C version of the Skyhawk entered production in 1959 as the A4D-2N. This is the first version of the Skyhawk to be capable of all weather and night operations. It was equipped with a terrain avoidance radar, autopilot, angle of attack indication system, Low Altitude Bombing System and improved low-level ejector seat. In 1962, the A4D-2N was redesignated as the A-4C and it became the first version of the Skyhawk to be produced under the A-4 designation. Six hundred and thirty-eight A-4Cs were produced between 1959 and the end of 1962.
History
Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, El Segundo, California as an A4D-2 (A-4C) and accepted by the US Navy on October 3, 1961.
Sep 1961: VA-172 Cecil Field, Florida. Depolyed on USS Enterprise.
Jul 1962: VA-44 Jacksonville, Florida.
Mar 1963: Unit moved to Cecil Field, Florida.
Nov 1963: VA-36 Cecil Field, Florida. Deployed on USS Saratoga.
Jul 1965: To NAS Rota, Rota Spain.
Sep 1965: VA-106 Cecil Field, Florida. Deployed on USS Saratoga, USS Forrestal, and USS America.
Feb 1967: VA-66 Cecil Field, Florida. Deployed on USS Intrepid.
Jan 1968: VA-15 Cecil Field, Florida.
May 1969: VA-66 Cecil Field, Florida. Deployed on USS Forrestal and USS Independence.
Sep 1970: MARTD South Weymouth, Maine.
Aug 1973: MARTD Alameda, California.
Nov 1974: Leased for flight-testing to Flight Systems, Inc, Mojave, California and ultimately registered as N401FS. Among other projects, the aircraft was used for a Tomahawk munitions dispenser and Pershing missile guidance tests. This is the first combat aircraft leased to a civilian company by the US Government.
Oct 1981: To Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage.
Nov 1981: Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
Technical Specifications
Wingspan: 27 ft 6 iin
Length: 40 ft 2 in
Height: 15 ft
Weight: 20,000 lbs (loaded)
Max Speed: 664 mph
Service Ceiling: 20,100 ft
Range: 1,160 miles
Engine: (1) Wright J65-W-20 turbojet, 8,400 lbs thrust
Crew: 1
US Navy | 1961 Douglas A-4C Skyhawk | cn 12764 | N401FS
Pima Air & Space Museum - Tucson, Arizona - 29 DEC 2014
US Navy 1961 Douglas A-4C Skyhawk 148571 displayed at the museum entrance in the markings of Flight Systems, Inc., Mojave, California, N401FS, 1974-1981.
The A-4C version of the Skyhawk entered production in 1959 as the A4D-2N. This is the first version of the Skyhawk to be capable of all weather and night operations. It was equipped with a terrain avoidance radar, autopilot, angle of attack indication system, Low Altitude Bombing System and improved low-level ejector seat. In 1962, the A4D-2N was redesignated as the A-4C and it became the first version of the Skyhawk to be produced under the A-4 designation. Six hundred and thirty-eight A-4Cs were produced between 1959 and the end of 1962.
History
Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, El Segundo, California as an A4D-2 (A-4C) and accepted by the US Navy on October 3, 1961.
Sep 1961: VA-172 Cecil Field, Florida. Depolyed on USS Enterprise.
Jul 1962: VA-44 Jacksonville, Florida.
Mar 1963: Unit moved to Cecil Field, Florida.
Nov 1963: VA-36 Cecil Field, Florida. Deployed on USS Saratoga.
Jul 1965: To NAS Rota, Rota Spain.
Sep 1965: VA-106 Cecil Field, Florida. Deployed on USS Saratoga, USS Forrestal, and USS America.
Feb 1967: VA-66 Cecil Field, Florida. Deployed on USS Intrepid.
Jan 1968: VA-15 Cecil Field, Florida.
May 1969: VA-66 Cecil Field, Florida. Deployed on USS Forrestal and USS Independence.
Sep 1970: MARTD South Weymouth, Maine.
Aug 1973: MARTD Alameda, California.
Nov 1974: Leased for flight-testing to Flight Systems, Inc, Mojave, California and ultimately registered as N401FS. Among other projects, the aircraft was used for a Tomahawk munitions dispenser and Pershing missile guidance tests. This is the first combat aircraft leased to a civilian company by the US Government.
Oct 1981: To Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage.
Nov 1981: Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
Technical Specifications
Wingspan: 27 ft 6 iin
Length: 40 ft 2 in
Height: 15 ft
Weight: 20,000 lbs (loaded)
Max Speed: 664 mph
Service Ceiling: 20,100 ft
Range: 1,160 miles
Engine: (1) Wright J65-W-20 turbojet, 8,400 lbs thrust
Crew: 1