Douglas Test DivisionPhotograph AlbumCirca 1952: Douglas A4D Skyhawk mock-up. Douglas Aircraft photo Circa 1952: left side view of the Douglas A4D Skyhawk mock-up. Douglas Aircraft photo The very first Skyhawk, XA4-D1 BuNo 137812, on Roll Out and First Flight in 1954. BuNo 137812 - This shot was used in publicity for the new "Atom Bomber". The back of the photo is stamped ES-110270 and Douglas Aircraft Comapny, Inc., El Segundo Division, Public Relations, El Segundo California. BuNo 137812 - Cockpit Check. BuNo 137812 - Return from First Flight BuNo 137812 - Test Pilot Bob Rahn immediately after First Flight. Harry Gahn Photos from Gary Verver Collection First Flight Letter, courtesy of Bob Miecznikowski. 1954 Douglas Skyhawk BuNo 137812 in flight with Douglas Test Pilot Robert O. Rahn, the first pilot to fly the A-4 Skyhawk. Douglas Aircraft Photo. 06 JUN 1954: Douglas Skyhawk BuNo 137812 roll-out. Note that the BuNo etc. is taped over. Douglas Aircraft photo 06 JUN 1954: Douglas XA4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137812. Douglas Aircraft photo 06 JUN 1954: Navy personnel pose by XA-4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137812 as they demonstrate the weight difference between the Skyhawk seat (left) compared to the standard ejection seat at right. Douglas Aircraft photo 06 JUN 1954: Douglas test pilot Bob Rahn atop the Skyhawk boarding ladder as he poses with XA4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137812. Douglas Aircraft photo 22 JUN 1954: YC-124B Globemaster s/n 51-0072 and XA4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137812 experiencing a wet start (note the pool of JP on the ground and the tongue of flame from the tailpipe). Douglas Aircraft photo JUN 1954: XA-4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo 137812 on the ramp next to A3D-1 Skywarrior BuNo 130355. Douglas Aircraft photo A-4A Assembly Line. From a Douglas news release dated 27 Feb 1979. Caption reads "Skyhawk Assembly line at McDonnell-Douglas. Pretty sure they are A-4A's as they have the A-4A/B nose and no refueling probe. Although the probe could have been added at a later point in the assembly line, the stars and bars were painted over the refueling probe on the B, not under it. The only production model without the probe was the "A" model. Photo from Gary Verver Collection A-4 Delta Wing Assembly Line. May 1956 Naval Aviation News. Note: The production line was moved in 1963 from the El Segundo plant to the Long Beach plant, with final assembly being done at a government-owned plant in Palmdale, CA. Weapons Test Skyhawk BuNo 137813 with a tiger figure on the nose. Douglas Aircraft photo YA4D-1 Skyhawk BuNo. 137813 P-cola - Today The first Skyhawk to come down the production line YA4D-1 (A-4A) BuNo. 137813 didn't end up in the smelter. Mr. Edward Henry Heinemann and Bob Krall pose by BuNo. 137813 on May 10, 1986 at Pensacola. Today she rest proudly on display as VA-83 AJ 301 in the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. She's still there, so please visit this little lady. Photographs by Captain Hook and from Robert Krall. Skyhawk BuNo 137814 very clean, uncluttered, cockpit instrument panel. Douglas Aircraft photo Circa 1954: Skyhawk BuNo 137814 with the original tail cone and a very clean wing without pylons. Douglas Aircraft photo Oct 1955 right rear in flight view of Douglas Skyhawk BuNo 137814. Naval Aviation News Photo. 15 Oct 1955 Skyhawk BuNo 137820 the day it set a new 500 kilometer closed circuit world speed record. Gary Verver Collection 15 Oct 1955 Skyhawk BuNo 137820 and Patuxent River test pilot LT Gordon Gray the day he set a new 500 kilometer closed circuit world speed record. Naval Aviation News Circa 1955: refueling test Skyhawk BuNo 137814 with the Douglas Nav-Pak on the centerline and FJ Fury style refueling probe which has missed the basket. Douglas Aircraft photo 15 APR 1955: Skyhawk BuNo 137818 with a styleized Douglas Test Division logo on the nose. Douglas Aircraft photo Skyhawk BuNo 137819 with the Douglas Navpack on the centerline. Douglas Aircraft photo 1955: Skyhawk BuNo 137820 with a large bomb painted on the intake. NMNA via W. Mutza Circa 1955: refueling test Skyhawk BuNo 137814 with the Douglas Nav-Pak on the centerline and FJ Fury style refueling probe under the stbd wing. Douglas Photo Circa 1955-56: Skyhawk BuNo 137816 with a T-63 shape on the centerline. Harry Gann 1956: BuNo.137816 was the Carrier Suitablity Test Aircraft. Photo from Harry S. Gann, Gary Verver Collection 1956: BuNo.137817 was the Weapons Test Aircraft Photo from Harry S. Gann, Gary Verver Collection 1956: When BuNo. 137822 came off the production line it looked like this. Photo from Harry S. Gann, Gary Verver Collection 29 FEB 1956: Skyhawk BuNo 137828 as she came off the assembly line. Douglas Photo 29 FEB 1956: left rear view of Skyhawk BuNo 137828 as she came off the assembly line. Douglas Photo 29 MAR 1956: right front view of Skyhawk BuNo 137820 with a large bomb painted on the intake. Douglas Aircraft photo APR 1956: Skyhawk BuNo 142082 as the 1st A4D-2 model rolls out of the Palmdale plant. Douglas Photo MAY 1956: Skyhawk BuNo 137820 with a large bomb painted on the intake. Budd Butcher via W. Mutza May 1956 left front in flight view of Douglas Skyhawk BuNo 137820. Naval Aviation News Douglas Skyhawk BuNo 137820, May 1956, was used for bomb testing. Photo by Larry Gann, courtesy of Wynn Foster. 29 OCT 1956: Skyhawk BuNo 142084 parked on the ramp. Douglas Photo Dec 1956 eft in flight view of the "Mighty Midget," Douglas Skyhawk BuNo 137814. Naval Aviation News 1957: Flight Test Skyhawk BuNo 137821 leads the way for a F4D Skyray and a pair of A3D Skywarriors. Robert Cooper via W. Mutza Circa 1957: Flight Test Skyhawk BuNo 137821 with the conventional refueling probe. Harry Gann 14 JUN 1958: Skyhawk BuNo 137820 parked on the ramp at an open house. Lionel Paul A-4B BuNo.142095 in an unusually configuration. No refueling probe, strange object on centerline, and a "clean" paintjob. Assumption is that it is a Douglas test bird. Skyhawk BuNo 142095 without squadron markings in flight with drop tanks and unknown shape on the centerline. Assumption is a Douglas Test Bird. AUG 1958: Douglas Test Division Skyhawk BuNo 145062. Note the pilot is wearing a full pressure suit. Douglas Photo AUG 1960: A-4B BuNo.145069 is from the first A4D-2 Skyhawk batch. Skyhawk BuNo 142088 is probably a Douglas Test Division aircraft configured with three MCBR's (Multiple Carriage Bomb Racks) each loaded with six Mk 81 - 250 pound bombs. 2nd shot: A-4B BuNo.145069 Official United States Navy photo, G. Verver collection. 1960 - 61: BuNo 147724 without any markings. Douglas Photo 1960 Douglas Assembly Line. close-up left rear view of the tail section of Skyhawk BuNo 147789 as it is being moved along the Douglas assembly line. Douglas Photo 1961: A4D-2N (A-4C) 148483 when it was being evaluated by the Army as a ground support aircraft. BuNo 148490 was also converted for testing. Visible in the photo is the drag chute canister underneath the rear fuselage, the twin-wheel, low pressure, main gear and the enlarged main gear fairings underneath the wings. Also appears to have a wider nose wheel. Don't know what is on the front of the stbd main gear fairing, looks like something that may have been done at China Lake to house a camera. The two A4D-2Ns were evaluated by the Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama in competition with the Northrop N-156 and the Fiat G.91R. Photo may have been taken at Ft. Rucker, El Segundo or ??? All it says on the back of the photo is FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY, Removal of Protective Marking Cannot be Predetermined. The photo is circa 1961 as that is when the evaluation took place. Politics determined that the Army would not be allowed to fly fixed wing aircraft for close air support, so no aircraft were ordered and the two Skyhawks were again modified to original specifications and delivered to the Navy. Courtesy of Gary Verver collection. 1961 BuNo 148613 with a centerline drop tank and configured with an A4D-2N (A-4C) nose. Douglas Aircraft photo #202007, Gary Verver Collection 1961 BuNo 148613 with a centerline drop tank and configured with an A4D-2N (A-4C) nose. Douglas Aircraft photo #202008, Gary Verver Collection 1961 BuNo 148613 with a centerline drop tank and configured with an A4D-2N (A-4C) nose. Douglas Aircraft photo #202011, Gary Verver Collection 1961 BuNo 148614 with Bullpup missiles on stations #1 and #5 and MBER's with six iron bombs on stations #2, #3 and #4. Douglas Aircraft photo #206523, Gary Verver Collection 1961 BuNo 148614 with Bullpup missiles. Douglas Aircraft photo #206615, Gary Verver Collection 1961 BuNo 148614 with Bullpup missiles on stations #1 and #5 and MBER's with six iron bombs on stations #2, #3 and #4. Douglas Aircraft photo #206620, Gary Verver Collection 1961 Bottom rear in-flight view of Skyhawk BuNo 148614 with Bullpup missiles. Douglas Aircraft photo #206617, Gary Verver Collection 1961 BuNo 148614 with Bullpup missiles on stations #1 and #5 and MBER's with six iron bombs on stations #2, #3 and #4. Douglas Aircraft photo #206626, Gary Verver Collection 1961 BuNo 148614 with Bullpup missiles on stations #1 and #5 and MBER's with six iron bombs on stations #2, #3 and #4. Douglas Aircraft photo #206619, Gary Verver Collection 1961: Skyhawk BuNo 148614 with Bullpup missiles on stations #1 and #5 and MBER's with six iron bombs on stations #2, #3 and #4. Douglas Photo 1961: left rear in-flight view of Skyhawk BuNo 148614 with Bullpup missiles on stations #1 and #5 and MBER's with six iron bombs on stations #2, #3 and #4. Douglas Photo 1961: Skyhawk BuNo 148614 parked on the ramp. Douglas Photo JUN 1962: BuNo.145069 Douglas Test Division Flight. Photo from Gary Verver Collection March 1964 Skyhawk BuNo 150091, the 1,500th Skyhawk, is accepted by CAPT R.M. Tunnell, BuWeps representative, from Mr. L.W. Whittier, Vice President of Douglas Aircraft Division & Mr. H.E. Showalter, Vice President-Controller. Naval Aviation News Photo. 22 April 1965 - TA-4E static display rolled out. Photo caption reads: "The static display of the Douglas TA-4E advanced combat trainer was rolled out today. The TA-4E is the latest version of the versatile attack bomber which is the first line equipment in all U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine light attack squadrons." Douglas Photo from Gary Verver Collection. Webmasters note: BuNo.152102 and 152103 were removed from the A-4E production line and converted to the two seat configuration. Later, they were redesignated to A-4F. BuNo. 151999 sits next to the two seater for comparison. Douglas prototype TA-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152102 in flight. Photo from LTJG Tariq "Turk" Rashid. BuNo.152101 is first "F" Model. Pulled out of the last "E" production run (151984-152100) and converted to "F" configuration, note that the Avionics "Hump" has not yet been installed. Wynn Foster (Captain Hook). Circa 1965: prototype A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152101. Probably taken at Douglas Aircraft. Photographer unknown, from Gary Verver Circa SEP 1966: Douglas A-4 Deputy Mgr. W.E. McKee, VA-125 CO CDR Jack A. Endacott, Douglas Aircraft Div. Dir. R.F. Canady and Douglas Plant Mgr. J.P. Robinson pose by prototype A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152101. Naval Aviation News photo 30 JUN 1965: first flight of the Douglas TA-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152102. Naval Aviation News photo Circa 1966: TA-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152103 and the Navy preliminary Evaluation Team at the Douglas plant. Photograher unknown 15 SEP 1965: TA-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152103 on the China Lake transient line. U.S. Navy Photo 22 APR 1965: A-4E BuNo 151999 alongside the TA-4E mockup at the rollout of the Douglas TA-4E Skyhawk advanced combat trainer. Douglas Photo Circa 1965: in-flight view as the prototype A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152101 takes to the sky at the Douglas Aircraft plant. Douglas Photo Circa 1965: prototype A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152101 parked on the ramp with an unusual tail pipe extension. Photographer unknown via W. Mutza 22 APR 1965: rollout of the Douglas TA-4E Skyhawk advanced combat trainer mock-up. The TA-4E was the latest version of the versatile attack bomber. Douglas Photo 22 APR 1965: rollout of the Douglas TA-4E Skyhawk advanced combat trainer mock-up. The TA-4E was the latest version of the versatile attack bomber. The adjacent A-4E is BuNo 151999. Douglas Photo Circa 1967: Naval Air Test Center Skyhawk BuNo 137813 assigned to Strike Test. Note that it still carries the Navy/Marine Reserve lettering on the aft fuselage. Nick Williams TA-4F Skyhawk NJ-001 and an unknown A-4E Skyhawk parked on the ramp. Douglas Photo Circa 1967: Naval Air Test Center Skyhawk BuNo 137813 assigned to Strike Test. Note that it still carries the Navy/Marine Reserve lettering on the aft fuselage. Nick Williams A-4M Skyhawk prototype BuNo 155042. Photographer unknown Unknown A-4M Skyhawk parked on the ramp. Douglas Photo Jan 1969 Douglas Skyhawk BuNo 145062 parked on the ramp at El Segundo. Naval Aviation News Photo. 1976 BuNo 156924, #4, taxiing by an assembly shed, NPRO (Naval Plant Representatives Office), at the manufacturers facility at Douglas Aircraft. Gary Verver Collection Circa 1976: TA-4J Skyhawk, tail number #3, in a hi-vis paint scheme as she taxies by the photographer. Probably assigned to NPRO. Douglas Photo Circa 1976: head-on view of a TA-4J Skyhawk in a hi-vis paint scheme as she taxies into the line. Douglas Photo 1976: in-flight view of Douglas Test Division Skyhawk BuNo 142905, N905MD, with a centerline drop tank and Sidewinder missiles on each wing pylon. Harry Gann Feb 1979 Last Skyhawk aircraft (BuNo 160264) built by the McDonald Douglas Corp. parked on the ramp. Photo by R. Lawson via Tailhook Association. 27 Feb 1979 high angle, right side view of the four Skyhawks (Blue Angels A-4F, TA-4J, A-4M BuNo 158413 & A-4M BuNo 160264 in the foreground) displayed during the exhibit of the last Skyhawk built by McDonald Douglas Corp. Photo by R. Lawson via Tailhook Association. 27 Feb 1979 Last Skyhawk Aircraft (BuNo 160264) built by the McDonald Douglas Corp. The plane is being towed to the flight line for display. U.S. Navy photo, Sgt Frank C. Refuerzo 27 Feb 1979 Four Skyhawks (Blue Angels A-4F, TA-4J, A-4M BuNo 158413 & A-4M BuNo 160264 in the foreground) displayed during the exhibit of the last Skyhawk built by McDonald Douglas Corp. U.S. Navy photo, Sgt Frank C. Refuerzo 27 Feb 1979 Last Skyhawk (BuNo 160264) built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation, is towed to the exhibit area. At right MGEN Leo J. LeBlanc Jr., commanding general, 33rd Marine Air Wing, speaks to the honored guests and spectators. U.S. Navy photo, Sgt Frank C. Refuerzo 27 Feb 1979 Spectators gather around during the exhibit and ceremony for the last Skyhawk aircraft built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation, an A-4M Skyhawk BuNo.160264 that is beautifully painted. U.S. Navy photo, Sgt Frank C. Refuerzo Mar 1979 left rear view of Skyhawk BuNo 160264 parked on the ramp at NAS Alameda. Michael Grove via Tailhook Association. Mar 1979 close-up left rear tail section view of Skyhawk BuNo 160264 parked on the ramp. Michael Grove via Tailhook Association. Mar 1979 close-up left side view of Skyhawk BuNo 160264 pilot and Naval Air Training Command & Blue Angels insignia. Gary Verver Collection Sources of information:
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