A-4 Skyhawks ...
Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:06 am
Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:27 am
Cool!
I had no idea that Brazil was carrier operational.
Good stuff.
I had no idea that Brazil was carrier operational.
Good stuff.
Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:05 pm
So is Argentina, and they still fly S-2 trackers (Turbine conversions) off their carrier's. It is pretty cool to see some of the old iron still earning it's keep and not sitting in the bone yard.
Scott....
Scott....
Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:12 pm
The Brazilians bought the former Kuwaiti A-4s. Word was that they were pristine. The Brazilians bought the French carrier Foch and renamed it the Sao Paulo in 2001.
The Brazilian pilots were the last A-4 pilots trained at Meridian before the US Navy converted VT-7 to the T-45 in Dec. 1999.
It was a big deal for the Brazilian Navy to acquire the Skyhawks. Because of internal politics the Navy had previously been limited to helicopters.
The Brazilian pilots were the last A-4 pilots trained at Meridian before the US Navy converted VT-7 to the T-45 in Dec. 1999.
It was a big deal for the Brazilian Navy to acquire the Skyhawks. Because of internal politics the Navy had previously been limited to helicopters.
Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:01 pm
The Argentinian A-4s are reworked U.S. Marine A-4Ms and OA-4s. Lockheed updated the cockpits with two small CRTs. They look a lot like the KIWI A-4s or F-16 panels.
Thu Jul 13, 2006 4:40 pm
They transitioned thru NAS Willow Grove in the early 80s on their way to Kuwait.
Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:02 pm
There most still be a large supply of spares for them.
Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:44 pm
Super Fort :There most still be a large supply of spares for them.
The A-4 first flew in 1954 and was operational in the US in some fashion until 2004.
The Ms were the last new built A-4s, production continued until about 1988.
The A-4 remains in service with Israel, Singapore just retired most of theirs, NZ has theirs up for sale, Malaysia is still flying some, Argentina has just acquired and upgraded the Marine Ms, and Brazil is now operating the Kuwaiti aircraft as has been discussed.
Because of all this activity over the years there are spares all over the world.
It is difficult to support the B,C, L, & Q models though, due to lack of Wright J-65 engine spares