McDonnell-Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

Chris Kennedy · November 28, 2010, 09:29:38 PM

This is not a great photo, since there were so many people around and it is a scan from an old slide, but here is a shot of a TA-4E. This was taken at an air show at NAS Patuxent River in 1967. This is apparently one of two A-4E's that were converted to two-seaters as prototypes for the production models.

Joe Copalman · November 28, 2010, 09:33:14 PM

Wow! Rare catch if ever there was one. Both of these weren't TA-4Es for long, being redesignated once the TA-4Fs were in production.

Chris Kennedy · November 28, 2010, 09:40:48 PM

Here is another shot from the same show. This is the second prototype XA4D-1 (re-designated A-4A), which is now in the National Naval Aviation Museum. It's marked "Service Test - Naval Air Test Center."

Chris Kennedy · November 28, 2010, 09:52:43 PM

Quote from: Joe Copalman on November 28, 2010, 09:33:14 PM
Wow! Rare catch if ever there was one. Both of these weren't TA-4Es for long, being redesignated once the TA-4Fs were in production.

I think it's actually marked TA-4F. The picture isn't clear enough to tell for sure. I used the TA-4E designation because that is how Joe Baugher has this one (152103) listed on his web site.

Joe Copalman · November 28, 2010, 11:25:39 PM

Yeah, just read a bit further and the two TA-4Es were redesignated in 1966, so this would have been an F when you shot it. Still, one of two ain't bad, regardless of whatever is stenciled on the tail.