The Skyhawk was conceived in the early 1950s by Douglas Aircraft's Ed Heinemann, responding to a U.S. Navy requirement for a jet-powered torpedo bomber and its design was so remarkably compact that it became an attack aircraft to supersede the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider. Heinemann prioritized minimizing the aircraft's size, weight, and complexity, resulting in a design that was half the Navy's specified weight. This compact design featured a short-span delta wing, eliminating the need for folding wings for carrier stowage. The prototype achieved its first flight on June 22, 1954, from Edwards Air Force Base, California, and the aircraft entered service in October 1956. Production continued until 1979, with 2,960 aircraft delivered, including 555 two-seat trainers.
Aircraft Specifications
Physical Description
All-metal, semi-monocoque structure. Low-wing, swept-back monoplane, carrier- and land-based, single-seat, subsonic, lightweight attack bomber.
Crew: 1 (pilot only; no passenger capacity)
Length: 41 ft 3 in
Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in
Height: 14 ft 11 in
Weight (empty / max takeoff): 10,465 lbs / 24,500 lbs
Powerplant: One Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408A turbojet engine, producing 11,200 lbs of thrust
Maximum speed: 673 mph
Range: 920 miles
Service ceiling: 40,600 ft
Weapons
Armament: Two 20 mm Colt Mark 12 cannons, one mounted in each wing root, typically carrying 100 rounds per gun (the A-4M variant carried 200 rounds per gun).
Ordnance: The aircraft could carry a variety of air to air and air to ground missiles, bombs, and other munitions.
Key Accomplishments
Flew extensive combat operations in Vietnam, including close air support, strike, and ground attack missions. The Skyhawk carried out some of the first U.S. air strikes of the Vietnam War.
Flown by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team from 1974 to 1986.
Served in numerous air forces around the world and saw active combat in multiple conflicts beyond Vietnam.
This aircraft (Bureau #158182) was delivered to the Marine Corps in October 1971 and completed 23 years of operational service before being retired in 1994.
Build Date
1971
Manufacturer
McDonnell Douglas, original design Douglas Aircraft Company.
Dates of Service
1971 – 1994
Country of Origin
United States
Inventory Number
Bureau #158182
Credit
On loan from The National Naval Aviation Museum on behalf of the Navy History and Heritage Command.
Display Status
This aircraft was delivered to Marine Attack Squadron 324 (VMA-324) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona, in October 1971. It subsequently served with multiple Marine Corps attack squadrons before its final assignment with Marine Attack Squadron 131 (VMA-131), Marine Attack Group 49 (MAG-49), at Willow Grove Naval Air Base. The aircraft was stricken from service in 1994 after a collision with Canadian geese caused damage beyond economical repair. The Museum acquired the aircraft that same year and completed a full restoration in July 1996 with assistance from volunteers of MAG-49, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and the Willow Grove Naval Air Base Transient Line Crew.
Status: On display.
