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The Red And White Check Tail Markings On Scooter Nj3-154905 Identify It As Belonging To 805 Squadron. This Aircraft Survived Its Ran Service To Be Sold To New Zealand. (defence Pr)
Aircraft of the ADF — N13 MDC A-4G Skyhawk
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N13 – Mcdonnell Douglas A-4skyhawk
The first US Navy prototype XA4D-1 Skyhawk, serialled 137812 (c/n 10709), had first flown on June 22, 1954. The tiny attack aircraft soon displayed impressive performance, establishing a world speed record over a 500km circuit at over 695mph. The new jet immediately became known after its designer as “Heinemann’s Hot Rod”, with deliveries being made to the first USN squadron in October 1956. Production of the first production model, the A4D-1, which was redesignated the A-4A in 1962, was to total 146 aircraft. A unique feature of the small attack aircraft was its short wingspan. Being a little over eight metres meant that the wings did not need to fold, a definite advantage when embarked on carriers. The A-4B version followed, featuring improved electronics and provision for flight refuelling, with 542 being produced. The A-4C, which flew in August 1959, introduced a new ejection seat, terrain clearance radar in the nose and improved autopilot and gyro system. Production of 638 of this model made it the most numerous of Skyhawk variants. Introduced in 1961 was the A-4E, powered by the more powerful 8500lb (38kN) thrust J52-P-6A turbojet, with provision for five external pylons capable of carrying up to 3720kg (8200lb) of stores. Of this variant, 494 were built for the US Navy and 60 for the Israeli Air Force. After the 1964 RAN order for 14 Grumman Trackers, a further Australian order was announced on October 26, 1965 for 10 A-4E Skyhawk fighters, at a cost of $18.4m. These were to be delivered with the Trackers in 1967, and would operate from HMAS Melbourne. The Carrier Air Group would comprise 805 Squadron with Skyhawks, 816 with Trackers, and 817 with the Wessex ASW helicopters. The A-4E procurement was, however, overtaken in August 1966 by the first flight of the next Skyhawk model, the A-4F. This variant introduced the 9300lb (42kN) thrust J52-P-8A turbojet, with an additional 800lb (3.6kN) of thrust over the -6A engine of the A-4E. In addition, the A-4F introduced the steerable nosewheel, wing spoilers, a zero-zero ejection seat, and was the first variant to be fitted with the distinctive dorsal avionics pack which became a feature of later models of the Skyhawk. 100 A-4Fs were subsequently modified with the 11,000lb (49kN) thrust J52-P-401 and enlarged air intakes. In addition, 240 two seat TA-4F trainers were built, many of which were subsequently modified as the TA-4J. The A-4F was, then, the aircraft purchased by the RAN. The Australian aircraft were not fitted with the dorsal hump, and with its specified avionics fit led to the designation of A-4G. The first two aircraft, a single seat A-4G and a two seat TA-4G, were accepted at the Douglas Long Beach plant in California on July 26, 1967. The order comprised eight single seaters, USN Bu numbers 154903 to 154910, and two dual trainers, Bu 154911 and 154912. The 10 jets were loaded aboard HMAS Melbourne in October, arriving in Sydney on November 22, 1967. As with standard RAN practice, the 10 aircraft were allocated side numbers: the two TA-4Gs became 880 and 881, and the A-4Gs 882 to 889. In service, the prefix N13- was applied to the USN Bureau number to provide the RAN serial number. Conversion to the type was a role of the fixed wing training unit, 724 Squadron, at HMAS Albatross. 805 Squadron was commissioned at Albatross on January 10, 1968. Meanwhile, the Melbourne was being refitted to operate the new aircraft, and this was completed in November 1968. Being recommissioned in February 1969, the Melbourne embarked its newly redesignated flying units, VF-805, VS-816 and HS-817. The following year, on March 10, 1970, the RAN announced a follow-on order for a further 10 Skyhawks. Although no Skyhawks had, by this stage, been lost, further aircraft would provide more flexible rotation and allow for future attrition. Accordingly, on January 15, 1971, HMAS Sydney sailed from Sydney to the USA to transport back the new aircraft. This batch of aircraft, which again included two trainers, were the A-4F variant, and were unloaded at Jervis Bay on August 11, 1971. For commonality, these aircraft were modified to the same standard as the existing aircraft and similarly were known as A-4Gs. The single seaters, serialled between Bu 155051 and 155069 were coded 870 to 877 and the duals, Bu 154647 and 154648, became 878 and 879. The RAN suffered its first Skyhawk loss on June 5, 1973 when N13-155060 crashed off the coast near the RAAF fighter base at Williamtown. Over the next 11 years of RAN Skyhawk operations, a further nine aircraft were destroyed in accidents. The last Skyhawk was delivered in February 1979, and of the 2960 produced, Skyhawk models included:
A-4A (previously the A4D-1) powered by the 7700lb (34.5kN) thrust J65-16A, 164 built.
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