A-4 Skyhawk Walkaround

A-4 Skyhawk pilot J.R. Starch gives us a walkaround of both the A-4 and TA-4 models. These aircraft are some amazing airplanes and have one of the fastest roll rates.

[Robvdh]

I love how passionately this man talks about his plane.

[danacasey]

My father was a Naval Aviator for 27 years, 1950 - 1977. He was Navy Acceptance Pilot attached to Douglas in the late 60s. He loved flying this aircraft and putting her through her paces! He was then CO of VA-25 on the USS Ranger, flying the A-7E (Vietnam). He passed in 2009. My hero!

[jagermiesterftn]

I was a A-4 plane captain/engine mech at VC-1 Up until our decommissioning in 1992. This really brought back a lot of memories.

[agoodandy]

While in the Marines I was at 29 Palms base in California. We had been eating C meals for two weeks. My bowels were locked up from dehydration as 29 Palms is in the desert. I had to go but had been unable for days. On a Sunday morning I found a tire on the top of the nearest hill and decided to not leave until I had finally crapped. I was sitting on the tire and not having much luck. All of a sudden an A4 came over to top of the hill about 25 feet above the hill at what seemed to be at top speed. I was covered in sand and whatever was on the ground. I was shocked at what just happened and looked under the tire and there was all the turds I had been in my bowls. The A4 will always be my favorite plane because of that memory.

[MrUNCLESAM]

I'm from Kuwait. My Dad flew the Skyhawk for many many years before he flew the F/A 18 Hornet for the Kuwait Air Force. He's retired now but he always show me his pictures with his Skyhawk.

[jbaroli]

I've loved this plane since I was a child. Not only because was so popular with the Argentinian Air Force and the Navy, they have been using it since the 60s (with many modifications till the A4AR arrived in the late 90s), but all the amazing stories from the Malvinas war who flew the plane (many planes came home with a lot of holes, leaking fuel, very rugged plane). Also I've been able to be this close with a B model, veteran from the '82 war and I have to say we've got our money's worth with this plane, despite it is a very old one and rather obsolete from modern standards. The AR (based on the M with numerous improvements) model did fine though they are near the end of service life. I enjoyed a lot this video!

[jdpresslasvegas]

Truly outstanding review of this U.S. Naval aircraft. Not only is Erik Johnston knowledgeable but he can explain the full workings of this jet in terms that any civilian can understand. This is a world-class, five-star WalkAround!

[Big.Ron]

I was a A-4 mechanic for 8 years. It does my heart good to see these old girls still flying. I was a ADJ in VT-24 and then as a civilian. Skyhawks forever!

[keithross]

Absolutely loved the A4 Skyhawk walk around! Man did it bring back many fond memories of getting many fun opportunities to go flying in them. I was stationed for two years, 1970-72 at NAS Kingsville, Texas and had numerous fun opportunities to go flying with a Lieutenant who was one of the instructor pilots in VT-22, along with other pilots that had their wings. There were also VT-21 and VT-23 squadrons at NAS Kingsville. But had the chance to go up on many different training hops. I-hops down to Dixie target range and J, K, and many others. Never got turned down on a ride. Officers always knew I was having fun, would stay off the mic and let them tend to the business of training students, and they didn’t have to worry about me grabbing for yellow and black handles. I was having a blast. Guess you could say it was a perk for being a baker in the Navy. I kept those officers supplied with all kinds of pastries! But I just loved the informative walk around. It brought back so many great memories and I learn so much more. Now I’ve been an aircraft mechanic for AA for many years in Tulsa. The A4 is a fantastic aircraft. Was a workhorse in Vietnam. Thank you for the fun journey again around the A4 Skyhawk!

[unclejack]

Excellent walkaround Sir brings back memories of younger times I was stationed at MCAS Yuma ('65 - '67) with VMT-103 .... I was an "Aviation: Safety & Survival" mechanic (mos 6443 - which doesn't exist today). We took care of Seats, Canopy, Air Conditioning & Pressurization & Oxygen everything that had to do with pilot environment and safety (except pilot g-suits, helmets & com, parachutes and seatpacks - which the riggers took care since This was a Training Sqn., and I had my "oh my ass card", I was able to get "ride alongs" with our instructors occasionally I had about 3 hrs. in the TA-4F every minute of it (except: the back seat was REALLY loud - even with ear plugs and cotton) I also got to give the familiarization lectures to the student pilots for the systems we were responsible for Mostly Really Good Times Thnx again ps - and yes - anyone who ever sat in an A-4 is intimately familiar with the "Head Knocker"

[navveteran]

I was TAD to VA127 at NAS Lemoore for about 6 months in 1983 and we were flying adversary with TA4Js and before I left we got some marine A4M. I worked on the line. Love that Bird.

[mikeparr]

Best walkaround and explanation I have ever seen! Well done and thanks for sharing, the A-4, my favorite all-time aircraft!

[garytodd]

A flood of great memories.I absolutely loved this video. I was a plane captain and later on was in the power plants division of VT-21 from January 1973 to May of 1976. We had the TA-4j with the J52 P6A. Loved seeing the A4 on the deck of the Lexington. I did have the opportunity to fly in the back seat a couple of times. Exciting to say the least. I also got to experience a landing and take off from the Lexington in a C- I (COD, carrier on board delivery). I didn't realize it at the time but being an engine and fuel systems mechanic was by far the most interesting job that I would ever have. I arrived in kingsville, Texas 2 weeks after I turned 18.
When you got into the TA-4, and was discussing how tight of a fit it was. That reminded me that we had a Marine corps instructor that was an extreamly large man, not fat. As part of a plane captain's duties was to assist and verify the proper connection of the pilots in the aircraft. This man was so large he couldn't hook his G suit and radio and O2 hose and cable. This was done by the plane captain. There was barely enough room for me to get my hands between him and the wall to hook him up.It was rumored that he was to large to eject safely without sustaining major injuries. He was a very friendly and curtious person till he would run out of allowed flight hours. He would fly 4 to 5 sorties per day and a cross country on weekends. Then he would be grounded for a week or two. Tried to stay away from him then. He hated flying a desk. Thanks for this video. ADJ-3 Gary Todd

[crimson-rkdi]

I just really appreciate all these people that take this 1-2-3 hours of their time to explain all this stuff and work around with the camera and such. (cameraman included :) )

[boxcarent.]

This is one hell of a review on a Jet. The best so far on the tube.

[marklowe]

Fantastic video! Thanks so much! I always dreamt of flying an A-4.

[bradknicker]

Outstanding! From 1966 to 1970, I flew all existing models of the beloved Scooter, first in VA-125 (the A-4 RAG at NAS Lemoore), then with the Black Diamonds of VA-216, also based in Lemoore. We flew A-4Bs aboard the USS Saratoga in the Med in 1967 (just in time for the Six-Day War), then A-4Cs for a Vietnam tour aboard the USS Coral Sea in WestPac in 1968-69. This video brought it all back. Bravo Zulu!

[nackdibby]

Who are all the whacknuts that would give this a thumbs down! This is by far the best A-4 walk around out there and thank you all for devoting your time to share your extensive and professional knowledge with all the Scooter fans like myself! As a C-130 mechanic I had the great pleasure of working with a Skyhawk crew out of Arizona to test a variable speed refueling drogue. Retired Marine pilot that had to be 6.5ft tall and one hell of a sense of humor!!! The whole crew were so much fun to work with and as a Blue Angels fan all my life the A-4 has always had a special place in my heart! This video just solidified all that and thank you again for sharing! I learned so much more about this outstanding aircraft!

[fastfac]

I flew the J, M and E while in the Marines in the early 70s. There were no two seat versions of the M at that time and my first flight was briefed and I went alone. It was a real rocket compared to the J model. What a rush! Just the greatest and coolest little fighter in the USMC inventory at the time. Oh, to be 45 years younger and to do it all over again. I love the A-4.
Great video and this really reminded me of all that I had forgotten. Thanks!

[usnchief]

I supported VC-8 when I was stationed in Roosevelt Roads PR many many moons ago. I loved watching the A4s...cool little airplane.