MiG Killing SkyhawkThe real BuNo.148609 (A-4C) is pictured with the VA-12 Flying Ubangis, using side number AJ-414 and flying from the USS Shangri-La CVA-38. Skyhawk 148609 is shown cleaned up after takeoff from NAS Atsugi, July 24, 1970. Black & white photograph by and courtesy of Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. On April 12, 1989, at the Experimental Aircraft Association Oshkosh Flyin, professional photographer Robert S. DeGroat of Newark, Delaware arranged a quickie aerial photo session. Bob hooked a ride in a T-28 and arranged an aerial rendezuous with an A-4B Skyhawk and Russian MIG-21. As you have probably noticed the Skyhawk pictured is an A-4B and not an A-4C, even though the BuNo. is 148609 and the side number is NP-685. What we have here is A-4B BuNo.142112 that is painted to replicate T. R.'s A-4C Skyhawk. Chuck Scott was the Skyhawk pilot and Hoot Gibson the MiG-21 pilot for the photo shoot. Both aircraft were then owned by the Combat Jets Flying Museum in Houston, Texas. Later both jets were donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Two more pictures from Bob's photo opportunity: A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142113 in a port turn. And A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142113 -- the most beautiful shot for last!!! A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142113 pictures taken and shared by Robert S. DeGroat |