Pound per pound, the most impressive aircraft I yet seen
Posted on 03/03/2009 9:42:33 AM PST by llevrok
March 3, 2009: Israel is now planning to replace its current advanced jet trainer, elderly A-4 light bombers, with its older F-16s. Israel had been shopping for a new trainer, and planned to scrap the remaining A-4s when a replacement was found. But now the plan is to keep the A-4s in use for at least another five years, then phase in the use of older F-16s as trainer aircraft. So now, after four decades of use, Israel is finally getting rid of the last of its U.S. made A-4 Skyhawk light bombers. Israel bought over 200 in the 1960s and 70s, and lost 53 to ground fire and missiles during the 1973 war. Later, most were sold or retired. The remaining 22 are used for pilot training. But some of these have crashed, as the A-4 isn't a great trainer aircraft, given their age and high maintenance cost.
When Israel bought the second-hand U.S. A-4s, it did so because the aircraft cost a quarter what an F-4 fighter-bomber did, and could carry as many weapons. Thus the heavy losses in the 1973 war (because Israel underestimated the capabilities of new Russian surface-to-air missile systems, and numerous anti-aircraft gun systems, the Arabs now had).
The 11 ton A-4 could carry about four tons of bombs, along with two 20mm autocannon. Smart bombs make it unnecessary to have a lot of fighter-bombers, much less lower cost light bombers like the A-4. Thus the use of A-4s as pilot training aircraft, a job they were not really designed for, but performed adequately at. Ultimately, Israel will have used A-4s for nearly half a century by the time the last of them are gone.
It’s a remarkably durable design when operated by a pilot other than McCain.
I love the “Scooter”.
Pound per pound, the most impressive aircraft I yet seen
I always liked the cockpit ashtray.
My thoughts exactly.
They are also a remarkably agile aircraft when not loaded.
Great single pilot a/c. Easy to fly, easy on and off the ship. You don’t really get in the Scooter, you kinda put it on.
John McCain was hardly the only A4 jock to get shot down.
So was Ted Kennedy...
In the Navy’s Air launched Weapons School we trained on the A-4. Loved em. Was told the pilots did not fly the A-4, they just strapped one to their butt and went for an amazing ride.
Skypig ping! Worked 4 years on these jewels; they can carry a HUGE amount of ordnance on them, if configured properly. Removing and re-installing the cannon were a *^&% tho...especially in a South Korean winter. :-)
I am not a flier and am so envious of all you you who flew planes like the A-4. It sounds like a doozie!! (in my book anything fast and loud is fun)
I believe the A-4 might just fall into the same category, although regarding an entirely different genre.
ping
The Brazilians use A-4s (that they purchased from Kuwait) on their one aircraft carrier (that they purchased from France), at least in theory.
I don't normally post articles about an aircraft type used by the Navy unless the naval use is mentioned, but you just don't see very many articles about Skyhawks these days.
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Really? I had thought the operation was not that dissimilar from changing scopes on a rifle. ;)
called the Scooter .. Flew once with VC-5 NAS CUBI..
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