Vortex Generators! Bob Rahe comments on first Vortex Generators: "..disqualifying feature of the prototype was an erratic and abrupt wind drop either to the right or left of about 30 degrees. We tried eleven different vortex generator patterns before we settled on an arrangement featuring one row on the leading edge slat and one row just in front of the aileron. A vortex generator in the configuration for the Skyhawk was a small piece of aluminum about one inch long and one-half inch high. There were 37 on each wing. Their function was to smooth out the air flow. The addition of 74 globs of metal certainly didn't enchance the beauty of the airplane but they did the job." Gary Verver: Some A’s didn’t have any vortex generators at all, they were added at some point in the production cycle.

BuNo137817 above appears to have vortex generators on the slat, but not on the wing. BuNo152853 clearly shows vortex generators on the slat (12 on the slat + 2 outboard of them on the wing) and the 23 on the wing ahead of the aileron. ???? AND then there were those little fins on the fuselage, here and there, sometimes. (Some of the A and B model) Above is the port side of 137813, and in the photo below of 137813 they also appear to be on the starboard side as well. Both port and starboard locations are just forward of the fuselage breakpoint. ************ Wing Lights! Gary Verver: The wing lights on the A were outboard and flush with the wing surface. Think that also was the case for the early production runs for the B and it changed to lights mounted in the leading edge of the wing outboard of the slats with the later production runs as I recall.