VA-43 and VF-43 CHALLENGERSPHOTOGRAPH ALBUMVF-1B F4U-4 Corsair aboard USS Midway 1947-1948 Med. Cruise. From Charlie Beggy VF-21 on parade CIRCA 1954. From Frank M. Natonick VF-21 F9F-7 Cougars ready for run at the coast-to-coast speed record. From FranK M. Natonick VF-21 F11F-4 Tigers on the Ranger VA-43 Challengers A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147734 AD-308 dated 1958. Official U.S. Navy photo from the Don Scott collection. VA-43 A4D-1 Skyhawks BuNo. 139966 and BuNo. 139941 - November 1959. Six VA-43 A4D-1 Skyhawks on the Leeward Point, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba flight line. The closest aircraft is BuNo, 139966 side number AD 225. The next aircraft with side number AD 215 is BuNo 139941. Both aircraft were manufactured in the second A4D-1 production run. Please note the vertical stabilizer paint scheme has alternating black and deep yellow horizontal stripes; on the nose the shark's teeth, eyes, and nose are as they were painted on the Squadron's Grumman F11F-4 Tigers. Photo from and by Jerry Lynn Skipper. VA-43 A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk collapsed nose gear - November 1959. VA-43 A4D-1 Skyhawk with a collapsed a nose landing gear while on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba detachment. Trying to figure out a repair estimate is Martin (Marty) Jillson, AQ3. Photo from and by Jerry Lynn Skipper. VA-43 Challenger A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142132 and A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147729 - February 1961 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147729 side number AD 301 and A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142132 side number AD 362 on the Naval Air Station, Leeward Point, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba flight line in February 1961. The Skyhawks were part of a VA-43 detachment performing pilot training in bombing. BuNo. 142132 was built in the first production run of the A-4B. BuNo. 147729 was built in the second production run of the A-4C. The North American FJ Fury in the background was one of two kept at the ready for a fast and furious launch in the event of ... Photograph provided by John T. Gabbard MAY 1960: fancy 1st in change-of-command routine over the Virginia countryside as Challengers CO CAPT J.E. LaCouture was relieved by XO CDR J.K. Beling. Naval Aviation News 1960-61: Challengers flightline. L-r BuNo 142150, BuNo 139935, AD-316 and BuNo 1427xx, AD-365. Neal Schnieder Circa 1961: Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 142100, AD-360, moving into position behing the stbd JBD aboard the Independence. NATC F3H-2 Demon BuNo 143475 in the background. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza 1961-62 BuNo 148521, AD-303, parked on the ramp. Tailhook Association. BuNo 153680, AD320, with Brad Geislen, Bruce Giannetta and Clyde Costa. Bruce is the Plane Captain for this bird. Photo from Bruce Giannetta BuNo 153680, AD320, Plane Captain Bruce Giannetta. Photo from Bruce Giannetta Circa 1969: Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 153680, AD-320, and plane captains Bruce Geislen, Bruce Gianneta & Clyde Costa. Bruce Gianneta Circa 1969: Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 153680, AD-320, and plane captain Bruce Gianneta. Bruce Gianneta On the "Line" at VA-43 Provided by Don Trask Feb, 1972. The danger of Re-Upping! Sometimes getting the reward for signing up for another tour can be down right dangerous. 13 Oct 1973 BuNo 154292, AD-312. Gary Verver Collection VA-43 Challengers T-2 Buckeye, A-4 Skyhawk, T-38 Talon and F-5 Tiger 2 . Official U.S. Navy photo from the Don Scott collection. VA-43 Challengers TA-4F BuNo 154287 AD-302 and TA-4F BuNo 154291 AD-303. Official U.S. Navy photo from the Don Scott collection. VA-43_Flyby at Mount Rushmore The section of aircraft are: Lead aircraft Buno: 153671, AD-300 Right Wing Aircraft Buno: 154341, AD-301 Photo from Dan Perrine BuNo 153671, AD-300, and right wing BuNo 154341, AD-301, in-flight over what looks to be the Black Hills in SD. Gary Verver Collection BuNo 151118 parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 27 Sept 1972 BuNo 154300, AD-313, parked on the ramp. Photo by S. Miller, G. Verver collection VA-43 was a RAG (Replacement Air Group) squadron that provided fleet training for new pilots. VA-43 was redesignated VF-43 in 1973 and re-assigned from the replacement mission to an adversary mission. BuNo.152012 on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 1973: Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154292, AD-312, in formation with a pair of VF-31 F-4J Phantoms. Phantom in the foreground is assigned to CDR Cliff Jones. Photographer unknown BuNo.153671 with 154341 Gary Verver Collection Jan 1974 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154172, AD-25, "Bullet", parked on the ramp. Michael Grove via Tailhook Association. Nov 1974 BuNo 152871, AD-314 in flight. Tailhook Association. 1975: Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 153671, AD-304, assigned to LCDR Al Carpenter, parked on the line and painted a bicentennial scheme. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza VF-43 A-4E BuNo 151118, dated May, 1975. Taken at NAS Cecil Field, photo carries the notation "Mongoose". Photographer is R. E. Kling, from Gary Verver Collection. VF-43 Challenger TA-4F BuNo. 154291 - 1976 A VA-43 Challenger TA-4F BuNo. 154291 from Naval Air Station Oceana rests on the Tinker Air Farce Base flight line. Parked beside it is a Memphis Marines A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151990 - tail code QP. In the forground is a VC-7 Redtail A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 154183 - tail code UH and side number 310 based at Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California. Later, in 1990, A-4F BuNo. 154183 would be assigned to the VFA-127 Desert Bogeys. The photograph was taken in 1976. Photograph by Torg Anderson July 1976 BuNo 151118, parked on the ramp in a blue/gray camouflage scheme. Gary Verver Collection 26 Sept 1976 BuNo 151118 parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection Challenger TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 153516 - 1977 Challenger TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 153516 side number AD 301 in Bi-Centenial paint. Photograph from Michael Klaver. BuNo.153671 VF-43 Sept 1976 Photo from B. Shane VF-43 A-4E BuNo 151118, dated 26 Sept 1976. Gary Verver Collection. 1977 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154292, AD-302, speed brakes out & gear & flaps down. Gary Verver Collection VF-43 TA-4J BuNo 154292, dated Sept 1977. Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.153516 VF-43 Sept 1977 Photo from B. Curry 1978 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 153516, AD-301, in formation with an unknown Challengers A-4E/F over Kitty Hawk and the Outer Banks. Photo from "Boom" Powell. Jan 1978 BuNo 153516, AD-301, parked on the flight line. Photo by R.E. Kling, G. Verver collection. VF-43 TA-4F BuNo 154298, AD-303, dated May 1978, at Ft. Campbell. Photo by M. Campbell, G. Verver collection. 09 Aug 1978 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 153521, AD-305, and Challengers BuNo 151167. Photo taken by Bruce Trombecky from BuNo 153671 piloted by "Boom" Powell. Photo from "Boom" Powell. April 1979 Challengers A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151167 and TA-4F BuNo 154296, AD-07 (in the background) on the ramp at NAS Oceana. Photo from R. Leader, Gary Verver Collection 22 April 1979 BuNo 152012, AD-25, parked on the ramp. Keith Snyder via Tailhook Association. Sept 1979 BuNo 153516, AD-301, parked on the flight line. Photo by R.E. Kling, G. Verver collection. Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154292, AD-302, parked on the ramp as the pilot suits up atop the port wing. Paul Jarvis Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154292, AD-302, parked on the ramp as the pilot uses the gun blast deflector as a boarding ladder. Paul Jarvis Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154292, AD-302, parked on the ramp as the pilot eases into the cockpit. Paul Jarvis Challengers insignia on Skyhawk BuNo 154292, AD-302. Paul Jarvis 1980: Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154172, AD-21, parked on the line and painted in a blue/gray camouflage scheme. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza May 1980 BuNo 154296, parked on the ramp. Photo by S.M. Miller, G. Verver collection May 1980 BuNo 153671, AD-304, as she taxis by the photographer. Gary Verver Collection Jan 1981 BuNo 151167, AD-22, taxiing by the photographer. Michael Grove via Tailhook Association. Jan 1981 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154172 as she taxis by the photographer. Michael Grove via Tailhook Association. Jan 1981 Another shot of Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154172. Michael Grove via Tailhook Association. BuNo 154172, AD-25, in formation with a Challengers T-38, AD-12, F-16 & F/A-18. Joe Cupido Left side in flight view of Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154172, AD-25, in formation. Joe Cupido Jun 1982 BuNo 154292, AD-02, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection Oct 1982 BuNo 151118, AD-24, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 15 April 1983 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 151118, AD-24, and BuNo152012, AD-23, both in a gray/blue camouflage scheme. US Navy photo, LCDR Slowik. 15 April 1983 BuNo 151118, AD-24, and BuNo 152012, AD-23. US Navy Photo by LCDR Slowik. 30 April 1983 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154292, AD-02, parked on the ramp. Photo by T. Paskowski, Gary Verver Collection. 30 April 1983 A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151186, AD-25, parked on the ramp. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection. 30 April 1983 151118, AD-24, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 30 April 1983 BuNo 152012, AD-23, parked on the flightline. Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection. 30 April 1983 BuNo 154217, AD-20, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection July 1983 VF-43 Challengers Skyhawk, wheels & flaps down & speed brakes out. Gary Verver Collection VA-43 TA-4J BuNo 154292, dated Sep 1983, modex 02. Probably taken at Toronto. G. Verver collection. June 1984 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 151167, AD-26, as she taxis by the photographer. Gary Verver Collection Aug 1984 VF-43 Challengers TA-4 Skyhawk gear down and climbing. Gary Verver Collection BuNo.151186 VF-43 Dec 1986 Photo from R. Greby 08 Oct 1988 BuNo 151167, AD-26, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 20 May 1989 Skyhawk BuNo 154343, AD-43, parked on the ramp. Photo by K. Snyder, Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.155027 (we think) Aug 1989 PH2 Trombecky Aug 1990 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 155072, AD-41, parked on the flight line. Photo by K. Snyder, Gary Verver Collection. 13 Oct 1990 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 153516, AD-40, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 13 Oct 1990 left front view of Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 153516, AD-40, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection Challenger TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 155072 - 1991 TA-4J BuNo. 155072 and side number 41 of the VA-43 Challengers based at Naval Air Station Oceana. This TA-4J Skyhawk is painted in low visability gray, blue and beige when photographed May 17, 1991 at the Naval Air Station Atlanta transit line. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 20 July 1991 BuNo 152012, AD-25, parked on the flightline. Keith Snyder via Tailhook Association. 20 July 1991 BuNo 152012, AD-25, parked on the flightline. Keith Snyder via Tailhook Association. Aug 1991 BuNo 152012, AD-25, parked on the flightline. Keith Snyder, G. Verver collection. BuNo.152012 VF-43 Feb 1992 Gary Verver Collection VF-43 TA-4J BuNo 154343, dated Nov 1992. Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.154973 and others on the ramp. LCDR Joe Parsons BuNo.154973 Second shot LCDR Joe Parsons BuNo.154973 Third shot LCDR Joe Parsons 1990-95: Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 155026, Magnum, AD-24, as the pilot attempts to leave the cockpit via a non-standard boarding ladder. D. Lindley, G. Verver collection 22 May 1993 BuNo 154211, AD-20. Ted Carlson via Tailhook Association. VF-43 July 1993 LCDR Dave Parsons Sept 1993 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154172, AD-25, "Bullet", painted in a blue/gray camouflage scheme & parked on the ramp. Photo by D. Brown, Gary Verver Collection. Sept 1993 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154211, AD-20, "Cujo", painted in a blue/gray camouflage scheme & parked on the ramp. Photo by D. Brown, Gary Verver Collection. Sept 1993 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 151162, AD-28, "Paws" assigned to LT W.G. "Stubby" Stubbs, parked on the Oceana ramp and painted in a blue/gray camouflage scheme. p/c is ATAX Boody. Photo by D. Brown, Gary Verver Collection. VF-43 Oct 1993 preparing for flight. 09 Nov 1993 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154296, AD-42, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 09 Nov 1993 Challengers insignia on Skyhawk BuNo 154296, AD-42, parked on the ramp Gary Verver Collection 09 NOV 1993: eight unknown Challengers Skyhawks in a Delta formation. Unknown Photographer 09 NOV 1993: eight unknown Challengers Skyhawks in a Delta formation. Unknown Photographer 09 Nov 1993 Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 154296, AD-42, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection Jan 1994 BuNo 154211, AD-20, "Cujo", parked on the ramp. Michael Grove via Tailhook Association. VF-43 A-4E BuNo 154991 aka "Trigger" 23 dated April 1994. Joe Cupido, G. Verver collection. BuNo 154289, NJ-613, parked on the ramp with a centerline tank. Gary Verver Collection BuNo 154217, AD-20, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection BuNo 151118, AD-320, in flight. Tailhook Association. BuNo 151118, AD-320, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection A Fighter Squadron 43 (VF-43) F-5E Tiger II aircraft rolls along a runway as an A-4E Skyhawk aircraft from VF-43 comes in to land. Twelve Skyhawk aircraft of VF 43 are shown in flight formation off the Atlantic coast. The aircraft are making the final official flight of the A-4 before the aircraft is retired from the Navy inventory after 39 years of service. Thirteen Skyhawk aircraft of VF-43 are shown in the last mass formation off the Atlantic coast. Thirteen A-4J Skyhawk aircraft of VF-43 fly over the U.S. Naval Academy in one last mass formation of the aircraft during the A-4`s final official flight. Another shot of thirteen A-4J Skyhawk aircraft of VF-43 fly over the U.S. Naval Academy. Challengers Skyhawk BuNo 152012, AD-25, painted in a blue/gray camouflage scheme. Name on the canopy is B. Boe and Plane Captains are AN Lindsay and AN Ishmael. W. Munzenmaier |
