history

From the pages of - Wings Across The Sea.

Author: Ross Gillett / Publisher: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd

Designed as a small attack aircraft with a high load carrying capacity, the A4 Skyhawk was originally developed for carrier operations with the United States Navy. The prototype flew for the initial time on 22nd June, 1954, and within two years the type had entered service. By the close of production more than 3,000 aircraft had been manufactured.

The RAN ordered eight A-4G and two TA-4G model Skyhawks which were handed over in the USA on 26th July 1967. These aircraft were the first Skyhawks built for export. The initial purchase of ten aircraft were brought to Australia in the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, and landed at Jervis bay, via AWL 304. They were then transported by road to to the Naval Air Station at Nowra. A second purchase was subsequently made in November 1971, (comprising eight A-4Fs and two TA-4Fs), bringing the total strength to 16 A-4 single seat and 4 TA-4 dual seat aircraft. All F models were modified to A-4G configuration.

As the Royal Australian Navy's frontline Skyhawk Squadron, VF 805 Squadron was allotted eight A-4Gs. It's primary roles when embarked in the flagship included air defence, maritime strike and Army support in the ground attack role. After 1968 Melbourne and her A-4Gs were involved in numerous peace-time exercises, working with defence units of various countries, including the USA, Canada, New Zealand, The Philippines, Japan, the United Kingdom and Indonesia.

During these exercises the Skyhawks proved themselves formidable and versatile aircraft, with the ability to carry large weapon loads and the capability of air re-fuelling to enable them to press home both coastal and shipping attacks far from the carrier base.

VC 724 Squadron, the land-based counterpart of VF 805, was designated the Skyhawk Operational Flying Training School. Aircraft from this squadron also participated in exercises with the fleet ad joint exercises with the Army and Air Force.

Another major task for 724 Squadron was the provision of aircraft for RAN ships  completing operational work-ups (including target services). Many of these sorties were flown in the exercise area just east of Jervis Bay, but deployments were frequently made to RAFF Base Laverton in Victoria and RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia.

Following the initial order for 10 Skyhawks an additional ten ex-USN stocks, comprising the earlier F models were acquired. These latter aircraft (delivered by Sydney in 1971) were all refurbished and brought up to A-4G standards prior to arriving in Australia.

The first Skyhawk lost by the RAN, crashed at sea of Newcastle on 5th June, 1973. Another was lost in November 1973, one in 1974, two in 1975, two in 1979 and three in 1980.

Prior to decommissioning of Melbourne on 30th June, 1982, all Skyhawks had been withdrawn from carrier service and transferred to Nowra. The Federal Government announced on 3rd May 1983, that six of the remaining ten Skyhawks would be withdrawn by 30th June, 1983, and four retained for target towing until 30th June, 1984. All were subsequently sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force on the 28th June for $28.2 million. The ten aircraft comprised eight A-4Gs and two TA-4Gs.

From the pages of - www.skyhawk.org

Compiled by: EVAN BURTON
Nowra, Australia

A-4 Skyhawk - The Australian Connection

"A small aeroplane designed to do the job of a medium-sized aeroplane" is one writer's description of the Douglas A-4 SKYHAWK, designed in the early 1950s as a naval attack aircraft, and intended to reverse the trend towards ever larger and heavier aircraft.

"Heinemann's Hot Rod", "The Scooter" and "Tinker Toy Bomber" were some of the nicknames applied to the diminutive SKYHAWK, which first flew in 1954 and must have achieved many of it's designer's aims as production ended 2960 examples and a quarter of a century later - the longest production run of any US combat aircraft.

Two FAA squadrons operated SKYHAWKs during the types career with the RAN, 805 Squadron (renumbered VF-805 in 1969) as the front line unit, operating from MELBOURNE when it was at sea, and from NAS NOWRA when it wasn't; and 724 Squadron (later VC-724), the SKYHAWK Operational Flying Training School, also based at NAS NOWRA.

By the mid-70s, the Australian government realised that MELBOURNE would need to be replaced during the next decade. The search for a new carrier began formally in 1977, when companies were invited to register interest in the project. It called for a ship of about 20,000 tonnes capable of accomodating about 20 aircraft in a mix of ASW helicopters and STOVL fixed-wing combat aircraft (ie, the HARRIER). In February 1982, Defence Minister Jim Killen announced that HMS INVINCIBLE would be purchased from Britain, and renamed HMAS AUSTRALIA. Delivery was scheduled for late 1983. In the meantime, MELBOURNE would be withdrawn from service.

After negotiations, the ten remaining airframes and all spares were sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for the bargain basement price of AUS$28.2 million. The aircraft were ferried in three batches from NAS NOWRA to RNZAF Base OHAKEA in July 1984 where they would be modified and overhauled before entering service with Nos 2 and 75 Squadrons and joining the RNZAF's existing fleet of A-4Ks and TA-4Ks, though retaining the RAN colour scheme. They also serve as the RNZAF aerobatic display aircraft, as part of the " Kiwi Red" aerobatic team.
Later, when all the RNZAF's 21 SKYHAWKs were upgraded to "Project KAHU" (Maori for "Hawk") standards, the former RAN aircraft were redesignated A-4Ks and TA-4Ks and repainted in the standard RNZAF colour scheme. They also gained one of the external physical characteristics of the 'K' models - the larger "squared-off" fin. Early modifications applied to the A-4Gs - before the KAHU programme - included the fitting of a braking parachute and VHF comms, plus some minor instrument panel and switch position changes. The KAHU programme, which was instigated in 1987 and completed three years later, basically involves an avionics upgrade although a rewiring programme was first completed using the spares and jigs which came with the large stock of RAN spares.

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