VMA-131Photograph AlbumBuNo 158179, QG-03, as the pilot watches two Skyhawks execute a formation takeoff. John Binford BuNo 160024, QG-00, Viper parked on the ramp. John Binford 1974: BuNo 147735, QG-07, parked on the ramp. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza OCT 1976: left rear view of Diamondback Skyhawk BuNo 149989, QG-10, MARTD Willow Grove. MAG-4 TA-4J BuNo 155103, QZ-00, in the foreground. A. Hafter Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 147835, QG-02, parked on the ramp. Lionel Paul Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 150121, tail code QG, releasing Snakeye retarded fin bombs. USMC photo via CAPT Hook (Wynn Foster). BuNo 152061, QG-02 and TER's. Gary Verver Collection. 12 Oct 1977 Dragons Syhawk BuNo 155018, ME-12, based at Alameda, CA parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection MAR 1978: Willow Grove based Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 151036, QG-07, parked on the ramp. Bill Curry 18 March 1979 MARTD Willow Grove Skyhawk BuNo 155103, QZ-000, parked on the line. VMA-131 Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 152081, QG-04, at left. Gary Verver Collection May 1979 Diamondbacks Skyhawk 151030, QG-08, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. May 1979 Diamondbacks Skyhawk 151090, QG-02, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. MAY 1979: Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 151044, QG-05, parked on the ramp. A-4E BuNo 151070 in the background. Dave Steinbacker Diamondbacks Skyhawk 151090, QG-02, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. BuNo.149959 Gary Verver Collection. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150001 A VMA-131 Diamondback Skyhawk A-4E QG 11 banks over the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. VMA-131 was on a det to Yuma on January 17, 1980. Photograph by Harry S. Gann A-4M Skyhawk BuNo. 158182 VMA-131 QG 00, "Old Double Nuts" needed an engine change while on deployment at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona during February or March 1979. After the engine change the Skyhawk was towed from the hangar and the "Hot Rod" broke through the revetment paving and sank to its starboard pylons in the ground. A water leak from a nearby wash rack had excavated a chamber under the pavement and the weight of the Skyhawk collapsed the asphalt. The "Tinker Toy" then sank into the eroded chamber. The Marine crash crew manned the "Cherry Picker" and hoisted the Skyhawk from its predicament without damage. Two days later the "Swell if its Mattel" flew to its Willow Grove homebase. Photograph by and from Randy Toskin A-4M Skyhawk BuNo. 158182 VMA-131 A-4M QG 01 is bombed up and ready for a mission. Note the A-10 Warthog parked in the background. Photograph by and from Dan Teker 1980 BuNo 150001, QG-11, tied down on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection BuNo.149587 Diamondbacks Skyhawk, QG-100, at rest in the Arizona sunshine. Courtesy of T.R. Waddington, G. Verver collection 12 July 1981 BuNo 151046, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection DEC 1981: BuNo 151038, QG-06, parked on the ramp. Rob Mignard Dec 1982 Skyhawk 151030, QG-08, on the flight line in low-vis gray. Gary Verver Collection 02 Dec 1982 BuNo 151030, QG-08, on the flight line in low-vis gray. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection 04 Dec 1982 BuNo 152061, QG-02, parked on the ramp. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection 29 Jan 1983 BuNo 151030, QG-08, on the flight line in low-vis gray. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection 29 Jan 1983 BuNo 151038, QG-06, on the flight line in low-vis gray. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection Feb 1983 Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 149654, QG-04, parked on the ramp. W. Hartman, G. Verver collection 24 July 1983 BuNo 150001, QG-11, tied down on the ramp. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection 24 July 1983 BuNo 151046, QG-00, on the flight line. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection 24 July 1983 BuNo 152061, QG-02, parked on the ramp. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection Aug 1983 BuNo 152072, QG-15, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. 29 Jan 1984 BuNo 150001, QG-11, tied down on the ramp. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection 29 Jan 1984 Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 149654, QG-04, parked on the ramp. Photo by Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection May 1984 BuNo 152072, QG-15, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. Aug 1985 BuNo 152070, QG-01. Gary Verver Collection July 1986 Diamongbacks Skyhawk BuNo 152072, QP-15, being towed across the ramp. Gary Verver Collection July 1987 Diamondbacks Skyhawk 151046, QG-00, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 26 JUL 1986: BuNo 152072, QP-15, parked on the ramp. W. Munzenmaier BuNo.160024 Wynn Foster (Captain Hook). Art on BuNo 160024. Javier Ruberto A-4M Skyhawk BuNo. 160024 Skyhawk BuNo. 160024 side number QG 00 taxiing out for a mission. 160024 was the last A-4M used by VMA-131 at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Photograph by and from John Binford A-4M Skyhawk BuNo. 160024 A-4M Skyhawk BuNo. 160024 side number QG 06 of VMA-131 "Diamondbacks", USMC Reserve, based at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Photographed at Naval Air Station Atlanta in standard Tactical Paint Scheme grays, complete with low-viz "diamond stripe" on July 30, 1991. From a photograph by Frank J. Mirande. 12 Aug 1990 BuNo 158161, QG-04, assigned to MAJ Wilson parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 left front view of Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158161, QG-04, assigned to MAJ Wilson parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 left side view of Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158161, QG-04, assigned to MAJ Wilson parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 right front view of Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158179, QG-05, assigned to MAJ Carite parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 head on view of Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158179, QG-05, assigned to MAJ Carite parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 close-up nose section view of Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158179, QG-05, assigned to MAJ Carite parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 BuNo 158179, QG-05, assigned to MAJ Carite parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 left side view of Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158179, QG-05, assigned to MAJ Carite parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 close-up view of Diamonbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158414, wing mounted TER & ordnance. Gary Verver Collection 12 Aug 1990 close-up tail section view of Diamonbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158414, tail code QG. Gary Verver Collection 21 June 1992 BuNo 158179, apparently being salvaged for parts. Gary Verver Collection 21 June 1992 second shot of BuNo 158179, apparently being salvaged for parts. Gary Verver Collection July 1992 BuNo 158161, Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 158161, QG-104, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection July 1992 BuNo 159780, QG-12, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection July 1992 BuNo 159780, QG-12, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection July 1992 right side tail section view of Diamondbacks Skyhawk BuNo 159780, QG-12, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection Jun 1993 BuNo 159781, QG-08, parked on the ramp with a centerline tank. Photo by Joe Cupido "BladeTwoOne" seated in what would become a treasure of the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association: "VIPER 01" Photo by Sgt. B.R.Edoo, VMA-131 1998 Jun 1994 BuNo 160024, QG-00, armed with napalm & iron bombs. Photo by Joe Cupido Jun 1994 BuNo 160024, QG-00, armed with napalm & iron bombs. Photo by Joe Cupido 21 June 1992 BuNo 159788, QG-00, parked on the ramp with the hook down. Gary Verver Collection Col. George Lake with Double Nuts, last of the finest. A-4M retired from VMA-311 on June 22, 1994, last Marine Skyhawks. Photo by C.J. Smith 1994. Aug 1994 tail section BuNo 159781 (at right) parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection Aug 1994 BuNo 160024, QG-00, parked on the ramp. BuNo 159781 at right. Gary Verver Collection 15 Jun 1996 left side view of Skyhawk BuNo 158182, restored and partially repainted before going on display. Gary Verver Collection 15 Jun 1996 close-up view of inert 500 lb. bomb on Skyhawk BuNo 158182, restored and partially repainted before going on display. Gary Verver Collection BuNo.160024 and admirers. VMA-131 DIAMONDBACK A-4M BuNo. 158182 at the Delaware Valley Historical Aviation Association Willow Grove, PA. VMA-131 DIAMONDBACK A-4M BuNo. 158182 A-4M Skyhawk Bureau Number 158182, flew with VMA-131. This particular aircraft was delivered to the Marines in October 1971. 158182 also saw service with VMA-331 "Bumblebees," VMAT-102, VMA-214 "Black Sheep," MAG-42, and VMA-131 within MAG-49 prior to being stricken from service in June of 1994. This old gal escaped the smelter and has gone to Skyhawk heaven and immortality with the Delaware Valley Historical Aviation Association, Willow Grove, PA. As you can see this Skyhawk has been lovingly restored by restoration manager John Benton and the Delaware Valley Historical Aviation Association crew. The insignia art by Gary Campbell depicts a link to the Diamondback's World War II, heritage. If you are close to Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, please drop in and visit this little old lady. Note the A-10 Warthog parked in the background. Photograph from Dan Teker VMA-131 A-4M BuNo. 158182 STARBOARD FRONT QUARTER Photograph from Dan Teker VMA-131 A-4M BuNo. 158182 STARBOARD SIDE VIEW Photograph from Dan Teker VMA-131 A-4M BuNo. 158182 STARBOARD WW-II RECOGNITION INSIGNIA Photograph from Dan Teker VMA-131 A-4M BuNo. 158182 PORT SIDE Photograph from Dan Teker VMA-131 A-4M BuNo. 158182 PORT SQUADRON INSIGNIA Photograph from Dan Teker |