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Douglas A-4 Skyhawk facts for kids

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A-4F VMA-134 at MCAS El Toro 1982
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk.

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is an American military jet aircraft. It's like a small, powerful airplane designed for attacking targets on the ground. Its first flight was in 1954. The U.S. Navy started using it in 1956. The Skyhawk was a very important attack plane during the Vietnam War, a big conflict that happened many years ago.

Many other countries also used the Skyhawk. These included Argentina, Israel, Kuwait, and Singapore. The Argentina Air Force used their Skyhawks in the Falklands War. They used them for attacks against British forces.

What is the A-4 Skyhawk?

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a special type of jet aircraft. It was built to be a light attack plane. This means it was designed to carry bombs and rockets. It would then use them to attack targets on the ground or at sea. The Skyhawk is known for being small and tough. It could take off from aircraft carriers easily.

Key Features of the Skyhawk

The Skyhawk has a unique design. It has a delta wing, which is a triangle shape. This design helped it fly fast and carry heavy loads. Even though it was small, it could carry as much as a much larger bomber plane from World War II. This earned it the nickname "Scooter" or "Heinemann's Hot Rod." Ed Heinemann was the engineer who designed it.

It was also designed to be simple and easy to maintain. This made it very reliable for pilots and ground crews.

Who Used the Skyhawk?

The A-4 Skyhawk was a popular plane around the world.

United States Military

The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps were the first to use the Skyhawk. They used it for many years. It was a main attack aircraft during the Vietnam War. Pilots flew Skyhawks on many missions. They attacked enemy positions and helped ground troops.

Other Countries

After its service with the U.S. military, many Skyhawks were sold to other countries.

  • Argentina: The Argentine Air Force used Skyhawks in the Falklands War in 1982. They performed bravely in difficult conditions.
  • Israel: The Israeli Air Force used the Skyhawk in several conflicts. They modified their planes to fit their needs.
  • Singapore: The Republic of Singapore Air Force used and upgraded their Skyhawks. They called their improved versions the A-4SU Super Skyhawk.
  • New Zealand: The Royal New Zealand Air Force also flew Skyhawks for many years.
  • Brazil: The Brazilian Navy still uses a version of the Skyhawk today. They fly them from their aircraft carrier.

The Skyhawk was a successful aircraft. It served many nations for a long time. Some are still used today for training or by private companies.

Images for kids

  • XA4D-1 137812 NAN9-54

    The XA4D-1 prototype in 1954

  • Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk in flight, circa in late 1954 (80-G-658808)

    The second production A4D-1

  • J65 engine of A4D Skyhawk at MCAS Iwakuni 1959

    A4D Skyhawk with the rear fuselage removed and an engine being slid into place, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, 1959

  • A4D-2 Skyhawk of VA-83 refuels F8U-1P Crusader of VFP-62, circa 1961 (6418322)

    An A4D-2 (A-4B) refueling a F8U-1P (RF-8A)

  • A-4E VA-44 nuclear cockpit shield NAN8-73

    Thermal cockpit shield for nuclear weapons delivery

  • Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk aboard USS Lexington (AVT-16), 1 April 1989 (6445251)

    A U.S. Navy TA-4J Skyhawk of TW-3 on the deck of USS Lexington, 1989

  • Douglas A-4F 154983 '1' BA Pensac 04.08.75 edited-2

    A-4F Skyhawk of the Blue Angels US Navy aerobatic team in 1975

  • A-4C Skyhawks of VA-146 fly past USS Kearsarge (CVS-33) in the South China Sea on 12 August 1964 (USN 1107965)

    VA-146 A-4Cs over the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964; USS Kearsarge steams below.

  • A-4E attacking train in North Vietnam c1965

    A U.S. Navy A-4E attacking a train in North Vietnam with a Zuni rocket.

  • A-4F VA-55 CVA-19 1972

    Armed A-4Fs on USS Hancock, 1972

  • A-4Fs VFC-13 1993

    VFC-13 adversary A-4Fs at NAS Fallon, 1993

  • IAF A-4

    An IAF A-4H takeoff. Note the extended tailpipe.

  • A-4 chute

    IAF A-4N Skyhawk drogue parachute landing.

  • McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk Ayit F (468970264)

    An Israeli Air Force A-4F Skyhawk on display

  • Skyhawk israel older efi E

    IAF A-4Hs awaiting disposal in 2009 following their retirement

  • 3-A302 Restaurado por el Museo de la Aviacion Naval Argentina

    Argentine Navy A-4Q 0655/3-A-202 in 2007

  • Argentine A-4C parked during Falklands War 1982

    Argentine Air Force A-4C, May 1982

  • A-4AR Fightinghawk of the Argentinian Air Force (11091968456)

    A-4AR Fightinghawk, 2006

  • A-4KUs 13Feb1991

    Kuwaiti A-4KUs on the flight line in 1991

  • A-4K 75 Sqn RNZAF at Clark AB 1982

    A RNZAF A-4K in 1982

  • A-4 Skyhawk Patrol TNI-AU

    Indonesian Air Force A-4Es during a routine patrol

  • DA Defence German A4

    Discovery Air A-4

  • A-4 CVA-63 Mar1966

    A-4C landing on USS Kitty Hawk in 1966.

  • A-4SU Korat 2002

    Republic of Singapore Air Force A-4SU Super Skyhawk

  • Skyhawk A4K DF-ST-85-04198

    RNZAF A-4K

  • Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk of VA-164 aboard USS Hancock (CVA-19), circa in 1974

    TA-4F Skyhawk of VA-164 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock in the early 1970s

  • A4 lands on melbourne

    A-4G of VF-805 takes a wire aboard HMAS Melbourne in 1980

  • A-4KUBrazil CVN-76 2004

    Brazilian Navy AF-1 (A-4KU)

  • A-4L VA-203 1970

    Naval Reserve A-4L of VA-203

  • 933 at TA-4SU Skyhawk of the Singapore Air Force

    Dual cockpits of the TA-4SU Skyhawk

  • A-4M VMA-322

    A-4M of VMA-322

  • OA-4M MAG-32 1990

    OA-4M of MAG-32 in 1990

  • Argentina Air Force McDonnell Douglas A-4AR Fightinghawk Lofting-2

    Argentine Air Force A-4AR Fightinghawk

  • Márquez-A4Q

    Argentine Navy A-4Q as a gate guardian at Mar del Plata

  • McDONNELL DOUGLAS A-4 SKYHAWK

    Douglas A-4 Skyhawk 3-view drawing

  • A4ABCweb

    A-4 Skyhawk A/B/C color scheme

  • A4EFMweb

    A-4 Skyhawk E/F/M color scheme

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Douglas A-4 Skyhawk para niños

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