Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
The Hickory Aviation Museum’s A-4L, Bureau Number 148538 is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation. It was delivered in Aug of 2007. Coordinated by Kyle and Kregg Kirby.
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single seat carrier-capable attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later by McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated A4D under the U.S. Navy's pre-1962 designation system.
The Skyhawk is a lightweight aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds (11,100 kg) and has a top speed of more than 670 miles per hour (1,080 km/h).
| National Origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company McDonnell Douglas |
| First flight | 22-Jun-54 |
| Introduction | Oct-56 |
| Retired | 2003, U.S. Navy, 1998, USMC, 2015, Israeli Air Force |
| Status | In service with non-U.S. users |
| Primary users | United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Israeli & Argentine Air Forces |
| Produced | 1954 - 1979 |
| Number built | 2,960 |
| Propulsion | 1 x Pratt-Whitney J52-P8 Turbojet |
| Unit cost | US$860,000 (avg $/ first 500) |
| Variants | Lockheed Martin A-4AR, Fightinghawk, McDonnell Douglas A-4G Skyhawk, ST Aerospace A-4SU Super, Skyhawk |
Crew: one (two in OA-4F, TA-4F, TA-4J)
Length: 40 ft 3 in (12.22 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Height: 15 ft (4.57 m)
Wing area: 259 ft² (24.15 m²)
Airfoil: NACA 0008-1.1-25 root, NACA 0005-0.825-50 tip
Empty weight: 10,450 lb (4,750 kg)
Loaded weight: 18,300 lb (8,318 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 24,500 lb (11,136 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P8A turbojet, 9,300 lbf (41 kN)
Maximum speed: 585 kn (673 mph, 1,083 km/h)
Range: 1,700 nmi (2,000 mi, 3,220 km)
Combat radius: 625 nmi, 1,158 km ()
Service ceiling: 42,250 ft (12,880 m)
Rate of climb: 8,440 ft/min (43 m/s)
Wing loading: 70.7 lb/ft² (344.4 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0.51
g-limit: +8/-3 g
Armament:
- Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) Colt Mk 12 cannon, 100 rounds/gun.
- Hardpoints: Rockets, Missiles, Bombs.
