Brazilian Navy VF-1

Brazilian Navy VF-1 "Falcoes" (Hawks)

Patch

2000: The VF-1 Falcões patch courtesy of Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.

Handle

2000: Falcões (Hawks in Portuguese)

Heritage

23 AUG 1916: Brazilian Naval Aviation established.
02 OCT 1998: VF-1 Falcões established.
(Brazilian Navy 1st Intercept and Attack Fighter Squadron – VF-1)
- October 2, 1998:
  The Brazilian Navy VF-1 Squadron was created in October 2nd 1998 and its facilities and infra-structure, comprising the 2 hangars, maintenance shops, administrative offices and the taxiways, were inaugurated a year and a half later on April 20th 2000 at Naval Air Station São Pedro da Aldeia located 80 miles east of Rio de Janeiro.
- The squadron´s main mission is “To intercept and attack air threats and to find, follow and attack surface threats, in order to contribute to Airspace Defense and protection of the Naval Forces.” In order to accomplish this mission, the VF-1 pilots are constantly flying Intercept and Surface Attack training missions off of CV São Paulo and NAS São Pedro da Aldeia.
- April 20, 2000:
  Inaugurated of its facilities and infra-structure, comprising the 2 hangars, maintenance shops, administrative offices and the taxiways at Naval Air Station São Pedro da Aldeia located 80 miles east of Rio de Janeiro.
- April 26, 2000:
  The first AF-1 (Brazilian Navy denomination for the A-4KU) flight in Brazil. The aircraft N-1007 was manned by LtCol (USMC) James Edwin Rogers. A month later the same aircraft was being flown for the first time by a Brazilian Navy pilot who was also the first to do a touch-and-go on the Brazilian Navy carrier Minas Gerais.
- January 2001:
  The first trap and catshot on CV Minas Gerais were executed by CDR Daniel G. Canin, followed two days later by the first Bazilian Navy pilot to land on a brazilian carrier.
- May 2001:
  The sound barrier was broken on a dive for the first time reaching 1.02 Mach.
- August 2001:
  The first trap on CV São Paulo (ex-French Navy Foch) by a Brazilian Navy pilot was done after CDR Curtis Francis did so a month earlier.
- Since then the Squadron has been going on detachments to several Brazilian Air Force bases to perform all sorts of training missions like:
  - Air refueling
  - Operational Navigations
  - Weapons etc.
- April 2009:
  The Brazilian Navy signed a contract with EMBRAER to modernize its AF-1/1A. Upgraded avionics, one of the most important requirements of modern warfare, are the main focus of this project.
- August 2009:
  The Squadron reached 5,000 flight hours and in the same month, for the first time, a brazilian fighter air refueled another brazilian fighter using the Buddy Store. Two AF-1A (TA-4KU) were flown in this event.
- October 2009:
  The Squadron celebrated its 11th anniversary. It’s eleven years flying a mature and very efficient jet and one of the most flown military aircraft in the world, 11,000,000 flight hours, 500,000 of that flown in combat.
  Igor

Home Ports

1999: Established at São Pedro d'Aldeia Naval Air Base, Brazil.

Air Wings

02 OCT 1998: Brazilian Navy Ship Minas Gerais A 11
28 APR 2001: Navio-Aerodrome Sao Paulo (A12).

Deployments

None yet.

Aircraft

02 OCT 1998: Douglas A-4KU/A-4M Skyhawk.
02 OCT 1998: Douglas TA-4KU Skyhawk.
05 JAN 2000: Douglas AF-1 Skyhawk.
05 JAN 2000: Douglas AF-1A Skyhawk.
3 view A-4KU and TA-4KU drawings from Harry S. Gann, redrawn by Bud Southworth.
AF1 and AF1A side view drawings from Valter Sousa Andrade.

Brazilian Navy AF-1 and AF-1A:
AF-1 (20 former Kuwaiti A-4KU upgraded to AF-1)
- Status as reported JUN 2011
- 160180 (N-1001): Kuwait 1,842.2 flt. hrs.; Brazil 104.4 flt. hrs.; last flt.=06AUG 202; in modernizaton process.
- 160186 (N-1004): Kuwait 1,635.9 flt. hrs.; Brazil 624.9 flt. hrs.; last flt.=31AUG 2007; in modernization process as spare
- 160189 (N-1006): Kuwait 1,279.1 flt. hrs.; Brazil 55.3 flt. hrs.; last flt.=16JAN2001; selected to be alienated.
- 160192 (N-1008): Kuwait 1,576.9 flt. hrs.; Brazil 173.4 flt. hrs.; last flt.=26AUG 2004; in in the modernization process.
- 160196 (N-1011): Kuwait 1,586.3 flt. hrs.; Brazil 833.6 flt. hrs.; last flt.=12AUG2010; in the Flight Line, included in the modernization process.
- 160203 (N-1017): Kuwait 1,661.9 flt. hrs.; Brazil 13.9 flt. hrs.; last flt.=25JUN2001; in modernization process as spare.
- 160205 (N-1019): Kuwait 1,528.9 flt. hrs.; Brazil 0 flt. hrs.; last flt AUG1993; selected to alienated.
- 160206 (N-1020): Kuwait 1,376 flt. hrs.; Brazil 2.2 flt. hrs.; last flt.=10OCT2000; selected to be alienated.
- 160212 (N-1021): Kuwait 1,492.5 flt hrs; Brazil 1363.4 flt.hrs.; last flt.=06aug2010; to be modernized
- 160213 (N-1022): Kuwait 1,616.2 flt hrs; Brazil 922.7 flt.hrs.; last flt.=12aug2010; to be modernized
- 160215 (N-1023): Kuwait 1,757.3 flt hrs; Brazil 43.5 flt.hrs.; last flt.=29sep2000; to be modernized at EMBRAER

AF-1A (3 TA-4J upgraded to TA-4KU upgraded to AF-1A)
- Status as reported JUN 2011
- 160212 (N-1021): Kuwait 1,492.5 flt. hrs.; 1363.4 flt. hrs.; last flt.=6AUG2010; in the Flight Line, included in the modernization process.
- 160213 (N 1022): Kuwait 1,616.2 flt. hrs.; Brazil 922.7 flt. hrs.; last flt.=12AUG2010; in the Flight Line, included in the modernization process.
- 160215 (N-1023): Kuwait 1,757.3 flt. hrs.; Brazil 43.5 flt. hrs.; last flt.=29SEP2000; delivered to EMBRAER on 20JUL2010 for modernization.

Commanding Officers

Commander Carlos Augusto Andrade Marcondes (hello pilot)
Commander Victor Cardoso Gomes (hello pilot)
Commander Julio Cesar Campo Lobo (hello pilot)
Commander Kleber Ferreira Rangel (hello pilot)
Commander Denilson de Medeiros Noga (hello pilot)
Commander Alexandre Cursino de Oliveira (hello pilot)
Commander Augusto José da Silva Fonseca Junior (first fixed wing pilot)

Events

1822:
The Brazilian Navy established with Brazil's independence.

29 APR 1911:
The first Brazilian navy pilot was Lieutenant Jorge Henrique Moller, receiving his wings in France.>

23 AUG 1916:
Brazilian Naval Aviation was officially established by Presidente Wenceslau Braz.

1956:
Brazil purchased the aircraft carrier HMS Vengeance from Great Britain and renamed the boat Minas Gerais (A-11). The boat was used with Brazilian Navy helicopters as a anti-submarine platform. Fixed wing aircraft were prevented from being flown by the Navy due to a Brazilian law passed in 1965. This was reversed in April 1998.

1997:
With United States cooperation Brazil negotiated a $70 million contract with Kuwait for the purchase of twenty A-4KU Skyhawks and three TA-4KU Skyhawks for operation from the 20,000 ton aircraft carrier Minas Gerais (A-11). The A-4KUs, modified A-4Ms and TA-4Js delivered to Kuwait in 1977, were among the final Skyhawks built by Douglas. They were selected by Brazil because of low flight time, excellent physical condition, and a favorable price tag.
Below is an artist's concept of the Brazilian Navy aircraft carrier Minas Gerais with two AF1 Skyhawks flying overhead in projected Brazilian colors. Digitalized graphic is by "Fotodisk Multimidia" and from Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.
The single-seat Kuwait A-4KUs, re-designated AF1, and the two-seat trainers TA-4KU re-designated AF1A were shipped by sea from Kuwait arriving in Brazil in early September 1998. The Skyhawks were placed in overhaul maintenance where they were significantly upgraded.

Photograph by Bill Walker

02 OCT 1998:
Brazilian Naval Aviation Squadron VF-1 Falcões was established on the 82nd Anniversary of Brazilian Naval Aviation, at São Pedro d'Aldeia. Naval Air Base São Pedro da Aldeia is 185 km. north of Rio de Janeiro. It is the principal Brazilian Navy Air Base.
Kuwaiti AF1 and AF1A Skyhawks were officially added to the Brazilian Navy's inventory. Supporting infra-structure and aircraft maintenance programs were in place. Training Brazilian Skyhawk pilots was conducted in both Argentina and the United States, the latter by Training Squadron Seven (VT-7) at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi.
Prior to the decision to acquire the Kuwaiti aircraft, operation of fixed-wing assets in the Brazilian military had been the domain of the Brazilian Air Force. Since purchase of Minas Gerais in 1956, Brazil's carrier aviation had been limited to helicopter operation. The newly acquired Skyhawks represent the Brazilian Navy's first opportunity for fixed-wing aircraft carrier operations.
The São Pedro d'Aldeia VF-1 Falcões establishment ceremony parading this single seat AF1 Skyhawk,N-1001, painted in a temporary color scheme. Note that the AF1 Skyhawk in the background is still painted in Kuwaiti markings and colors. The original photograph was by Ronaldo Lucas and from Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.
BuNo 160180

05 JAN 2000:
The Falcoes AF1A (two seat) Skyhawk in permanent markings and colors is operational. Official Brazilian Navy photograph from Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.
BuNo 160212

26 MAY 2000:
Brazilian Navy VF-1, Falcoes AF1 Skyhawk BuNo. N 1007 piloted by Lieutenant Jose Vicente de Alvarenga Filho, Brazilian Navy took off from São Pedro d'Aldeia Naval Air Base, Brazil. This was the first solo flight of a VF-1, Falcoes AF1 Skyhawk and the first fixed-wing flight by a Brazilian Naval Aviator since 1965.
Lieutenant Jose Vicente de Alvarenga, Brazilian Navy is a native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. He is a 1990 graduate of the Brazilian Naval Academy where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. During advanced Strike Training with Training Squadron SEVEN, Meridian, Mississippi, he earned a United States Navy E for bombing accuracy. Lieutenant Alvarenga carrier qualified September 30, 1999 in the TA-4J Skyhawk on board the United States Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73). Lieutenant Alvarenga was the last VT-7 Student Naval Aviator to trap in the TA-4J Douglas Skyhawk on a United States Ship. He is also the last u.S. Navy VT-7 Skyhawk Student Naval Aviator to be winged. Lieutenant Alvarenga is now the first Brazilian Naval Aviator to fly solo in the AF1 Skyhawk.

11, 12, 1 SEP 2000:
In the first sea period aboard Brazilian Navy Ship Minas Gerais, Brazilian Navy AF-1 Skyhawks N-1004, N-1006, N-1007, N-1008 and N-1012 conducted flight operations in the South Atlantic. Brazilian Navy Skyhawks were flown by:
- Lieutenant Jose Alvarenga Brazilian Navy;
- Lieutenant Marcos Araujo Brazilian Navy;
- Lieutenant Fernando Villela, Brazilian Navy;
- Lieutenant Commander Gustavo Vignale, Argentine Navy;
- Lieutenant Craig Ziemba, United States Navy Reserves.
- The LSO for the evolution was Commander Curt "Potsie" Francis, United States Navy retired.
Official Brazilian Navy photos.

18 JAN 2001:
BuNo 160189
The first ever AF-1 Skyhawk N-1006 traps aboard Brazilian Navy Ship Minas Gerais A 11. After a little more than two years from purchase a Brazilian Navy Skyhawk and Brazilian Navy pilot succesfully catapulted and trapped from Minas Gerais during flight operations in the South Atlantic.
This was the very first jet trap aboard Minas Gerais - click for story.
Official Brazilian Navy photos from Claudio Mello, Bill Sower and Rodrigo Bendoraytes.

28 APR 2001:
The former French Aircraft Carrier, "Foch", is offically transferred to Brazil and is renamed the Navio-Aerodrome Sao Paulo (A12).
20 JUL 2001: http://www.a4skyhawk.org/content/lt-augusto-js-fonzeca-jr">Lieutenant Augusto J.S. Fonseca Jr., Brazilian Navy is a 1990 graduate of the Brazilian Naval Academy where Fonseca received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Prior to commencing jet transition training, Lieutenant Fonseca was a helicopter pilot, qualified in the Super Lynx. Fonseca flew the T-34C in the Uruguayan Navy and the T-34C and EMB-326 in the Argentinean Navy before reporting to VT-7 in September 2000. During Advanced Strike Training Lieutenant Fonseca earned three Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy and carrier qualified July 20, 2001 in the Boeing T-45C Goshawk on United States Ship HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75).
16 OCT 2001:
Brazilian Navy Ship Minas Gerais A 11 was decommissioned, possibly for a future musuem.

MAR 2002:
VF-1 Briefing aboard the Sao Paulo.

Y2012: Brazil is modernizing a mix of 12 AF-1 and AF-1A Skyhawks. Projection for Y2014 is 9 AF-1 and 3 AF-1A on active duty.

Awards

No info yet.

Photos

1991: Kuwaiti A-4KU 807 BuNo 160186.
In 1974, Kuwait purchased thirty new A-4Ms and six TA-4s, along with spare parts and support equipment for $250 million. The Kuwaiti Skyhawks were designated A-4KU and TA-4KU. Delivery began in 1976. Many Kuwaiti Skyhawks based at Dhahran Air base in Saudi Arabia, were flown on combat missions against Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War.
Photograph from Brian K. Shaune.

1991: Kuwaiti A-4KU 827 BuNo 160206.
After the 1991 war the remaining Kuwaiti A-4KU and TA-4KU Skyhawks were kept in storage until sold to Brazil in 1997. Note the canopy shield - to protect the canopy from desert sand etching and the crew access ladder.
Photograph from Max Tollens.

2 Oct 1998: Brazilian Navy AF-1 Falcão N-1001 (BuNo 160180) painted in temporary (projected) colors and markings on display at the VF-1 Squadron establishment ceremony.
Photo from Ronnie Whamond.
Brazilian Navy AF1 Skyhawk BuNo. N 1001, side number 01, at the October 2, 1998 VF-1 Falcões establishment ceremony at the São Pedro d'Aldeia Naval Air Base, Brazil. AF1 Skyhawk BuNo. N 1001 is painted in temporary projected colors and markings.
Please notice the three other AF1 Skyhawks in the background. These three Skyhawks are still painted in Kuwaiti markings and colors.
Photograph from Ronnie Whamond.

The São Pedro d'Aldeia VF-1 Falcões establishment ceremony parading the single seat Brazilian Navy AF-1 Falcão N-1001 (BuNo 160180) painted in a temporary color scheme.
Photograph from Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy..

Proposed Markings and Colors - October 1998.
The Kuwaiti A-4KU desert sand camouflage wouldn't work in a naval setting. The best Brazilian minds worked to developed an appropriate naval camouflage scheme. The apparent winner is this 3 view AF1 Skyhawk color and marking scheme.
Proposed three-view courtesy of "FCM Decals, a Brazilian decal manufacturer.
Graphic from Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.

MAR 1999: Brazilian Navy Skyhawk N-1001 (BuNo 160180) armed with Sidewinder missiles.
Gary Verver Collection

AUG 1999: Kuwaiti A-4KU 826 BuNo 160205.
Three A-4KU Skyhawks in original Kuwait Air Force colors parked outside the Naval Air Base São Pedro da Aldeia HS-1 hangar.
Photograph by Valter Sousa Andrade.

AUG 1999 Kuwaiti A-4KU 807 BuNo 160186.
A head on view of a newly arrived Skyhawk in original Kuwait Air Force colors.
Photograph by Valter Sousa Andrade.

DEC 1999: Brazilian Navy Bird Farm.
Kuwaiti A-4KU and TA-4KU Skyhawks being turned into AF1 and AF1a Skyhawks in the HS-1 Hangar. Until the new VF-1 hangar was complete HS-1 shared their hangar with the Falcões.
December 1999 VF-1 hangar photograph by Bill Walker.

27 APR 2000: VF-1 Hangar at Naval Air Base São Pedro da Aldeia.
The new VF-1 hangar just before occupancy.
Photograph by Bill Walker.

09 JUN 2000: AF-1 Skyhawk BuNo. N 1022 BuNo 160213.
Brazilian Navy AF-1 Skyhawk BuNo. N 1022, side number 22, in the VF-1 Falcões hangar at São Pedro d'Aldeia Naval Air Base, Brazil. This two seat Skyhawk is painted in permanent markings and colors. Please notice the stowed instrument training curtain in the rear seat.
Photograph from Valter Sousa Andrade.

12 SEP 2000: AF-1 Skyhawk and Brazilian Navy Ship Minas Gerais A-11.
Brazilian Navy Ship Minas Gerais held flight operations September 11, 12, 13, 2000 in the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil. Brazilian Navy AF-1 Skyhawks N-1004, N-1006, N-1007, N-1008 and N-1012 conducted flight operations during this period.
12 SEP 2000: AF-1 Skyhawk T&G on Minas Gerais.
12 SEP 2000: Close up of AF-1 Skyhawk approaching Minas Gerais.
12 SEP 2000: Aerial view of an AF-1 Skyhawk over the Minas Gerais round-down.
12 SEP 2000: AF-1 Skyhawk touching down on Minas Gerais.
12 SEP 2000: AF-1 Skyhawk running down the Minas Gerais flightdeck before lifting off for a go-round - September 12, 2000.
Official Brazilian Navy photos

Fall 2000: AF-1 Skyhawk Four Plane Formation.
Brazilian Navy AF-1 Skyhawks fly over the VF-1 Falcões hangar at São Pedro d'Aldeia Naval Air Base, Brazil.
Photograph from Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.

Fall 2000: AF-1 Skyhawk Four Plane Feet Wet.
Four Brazilian Navy AF-1 Skyhawks fly over the South Atlantic Ocean near Brazil.
Photograph from Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.

18 JAN 2001: The Brazilian Navy exercise to make the AF-1 Falcão Skyhawk carrier operational on the Brazilian Navy Light Aircraft Carrier Minas Gerais ( A-11) was executed January 18, 2001. This would be the first time a Brazilian Navy pilot in a jet aircraft would trap aboard a Brazilian Navy aircraft carrier. The exercise was based at Cabo Frio - RJ, Brazil and involved three AF-1 Falcão Skyhawk fighter-bombers.
Brazil brought in a United States crew of experienced Skyhawkers. The Landing Signal Officer (LSO) was Curt Francis; The Catapult Officer (shooter) was Bill Sowers; Catapult Hook-up Officer was Rich Villareal; And the Safety Observer was Don Ussery.
Dan Canin, a Lockheed Martin employee, was temporarily hired by Kay and Associates, Inc. as the test pilot to conduct AF-1 carrier suitability testing on Minas Gerais. After test completion, two of the Falcãos piloted by Brazilian Navy Pilots and one by an Argentine pilot conducted carrier qualifications.
A Brazilian Navy AF-1 Falcão N-1006 BuNo 160189 with hook down approaches Brazilian Navy Ship Minas Gerais A-11.
AF-1 Skyhawk Is Hovering Over The Minas Gerais Wires.
He's Got A Minas Gerais Wire.
He's Pulling Out The Minas Gerais Three Wire. The very first jet trap ---AF-1 Trap.
The AF-1 Skyhawk Is Loaded On The Minas Gerais Catapult.
Skyhawk N-1006 BuNo 160189 taking the cat stroke.
BuNo 160189 air-born after1.
Operational At Last.
Information and Official Brazilian Navy photos from Claudio Mello, Rafael Pelizzon Ferreira, Bill Sowers and Rodrigo Bendoraytes.

MAYy 2001: the Brazilian Navy exercised its second carrier the Brazilian Ship São Paulo - the reworked French Ship Marshal Foch. Landing Signal Officer this period was Commander Curt Francis, United States Navy retired. The AF-1 Falcão Skyhawks again worked the deck. LSO Commander Francis took the following digital pictures - the graphics are a bit big but worth the download time.
The São Paulo lens that produces the "meatball" glide path for landing Naval Aviators.
The Falcão approaches the round-down.
LSO Curt Francis turns to catch the Falcão's touch-down on the touch-n-go landing.
Information and photographs from Curt Francis.

From time to time United States carriers cruise the South Atlantic near Argentina and Brazil. Since Naval Aviators from these countries are trained by the United States Navy - they fly out to the United States carriers to bum a few CV landings. In October 2001, the Brazilian Falcãos, including BuNo.160180, made a few touch 'n go passes on United States Ship Nimitz CVN 68 somewhere in the South Atlantic. In return Nimitz aircraft visit the Falcão's field to get rid of corroding sea salt with a quick fresh water wash job.
Two Falcãos (BuNo 160180) in the Nimitz break for landing.
Two Falcãos (BuNo 160180) fly by Nimitz with hooks down requesting landing.
A Falcão (BuNo 160180) over the wire area - the wires are removed during the touch-n-go landing.
A Falcão (BuNo 160180) touches down on Nimitz during a touch-n-go landing.
Information and photographs from Curt Francis.

MAR 2002:
"Checking the oil", on a AF-1 of VF-1.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, taxi to the cat on the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, taxi on the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, taxi on the Sae Paulo.
VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, taxi to the cat on the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, with her front tire on the cat of the Sae Paulo.
VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, run-up on the cat of the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, on the cat of the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, on the cat of the Sae Paulo with all "thumbs-up".
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, is launched from the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, is launched from the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, is tied down on the Sae Paulo at the end of the day.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, doing touch-and-go on the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1001, BuNo 160180, takes a wave-off from the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1004, BuNo 160186, parked on the Sae Paulo with two other AF-1 Skyhawks.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1004, BuNo 160186, parked on the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1004, BuNo 160186, trapping on the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1004, BuNo 160186, is taxied on the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, is taxied on the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, in the air.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, in the air banking away.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, feet wet.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, low fly-by of the Sae Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, in the air with hook down.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, being launched.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, trapping aboard the Sao Paulo.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, in the air.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, in the air.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, in the air.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, in the air.
VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, at the cat waiting for hookup.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, at the cat waiting for hookup, with holdback attached.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, on the cat.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, taxing on deck.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, checking the cat hookup.
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, on a aprroach (in the groove).
MAR 2002: VF-1 AF-1 N1011, BuNo 160196, being launched.
MAR 2002: Three AF-1 Skyhawks parked forward on the Sao Paulo, VF-1 N1001 (BuNo 160180), N1011 (BuNo 160196, and N1014 (BuNo tbd).
From Gert kramhout.

Waist cat launch of BuNo 160196
Photo from Stephan de Bruijn

VF-1 aboard the Sao Paulo A-12:
A VF-1 Skyhawk about to trap aboard the Sao Paulo.
A VF-1 AF-1 flies off into the sunset.
VF-1 AF-1 sneaking up on the tanker.
Two AF-1 Skyhawks flanking the photographer.
VF-1 N1003 on the cat of Sao Paulo.
AF-1 N1012 of VF-1 on the deck of Sao Paulo.
N1012 taxing on the Sao Paulo.
Air to Air shot of N1013 of VF-1.
N1013 off the right wing of another AF-1 of VF-1.
N1014 of VF-1 at the waist of Sao Paulo.
N1014 taxi on the waist of Sao Paulo.
N1014 as she traps aboard the Sao Paulo.
N1014 about to trap aboard the Sao Paulo.
Photos from Lt Igor Bastos Brazil VF-1 Sqdrn.

08 JUN 2004:
A Brazilian Navy A-4 Skyhawk from the Brazilian Clemenceau Class Aircraft Carrier BNS SAO PAULO (A 12) performs a touch and go on the deck of the US Navy (USN) Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76). The RONALD REAGAN and its crew are participating in exercises supporting SUMMER PULSE 2004 while underway circumnavigating South America as they make their way to their new homeport at San Diego, California (CA).
PH1 (AW) John Lill, USN

Aug 2004 Brazilian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 160203, 1017.
Photo by Rodrigo Bendoraytes.

Aug 2004 Brazilian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 160192, 1008.
Photo by Luis Carlos M. Brandno Jr.

Brazilian Navy Skyhawk N-1021 (BuNo 160212).
Official Brazilian Navy photograph from Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.

Y2009:
BuNo 160183 photo is from Captain Carlos A. Matias, a Brazilian Navy pilot and the former Commanding Officer of the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base. Captain Matias created, in 2009, a new display square inside the base for one of VF-1's Skyhawks. Placed on display is BuNo 160183, a former A-4KU, designated by the Brazilian Navy as AF-1 N-1003 after buying it from the Kuwait Air Force in 1998. The Skyhawk was used by the VF-1 Naval Air Squadron and retired in Y2009.
Captain Carlos A. Matias, Brazilian Navy Aviator

2010: One of the editors of "PODER NAVAL" flew in a VF-1 Skyhawk, and they shared their photos with the association.
VF-1 shoulder patch and AIM-9 patch.
VF-1 Pilots.
PODER NAVAL camera crew with VF-1 flight crew.
Pre-flight for PODER NAVAL Editor and VF-1 Pilot.
Pic1 PODER NAVAL; Pic2 PODER NAVAL; Pic3 PODER NAVAL; Pic4 PODER NAVAL; Pic5 PODER NAVAL; Pic6 PODER NAVAL; Pic7 PODER NAVAL; Pic8 PODER NAVAL
BuNo 160212 N1021, BuNo 160213 N1022 and BuNo 160196 N1011.
Preflight with VF-1 Officer.
Preflight with crew and photographers.
This T-Bird will be his ride.
Rear seat of the T-Bird.
Pilot giving his back seater a pre-flight checkout.
Back seat instrument panel of the AF-1A.
From the back seat, a shot of the front seat.
Shot of the front seat instrument panel.
Continuing with the pre-flight.
Closeup of PODER NAVAL sign.
Taxi out, Taxi out 2, Taxi out 3
Here they are on the way to the active runway.
Taxi onto the runway, Ready on the runway.
Flight ready to take-off. BuNo 160212 N1021 and BuNo 160196 N1011.
N1021 lights up anti-collision for takeoff.
Back-seater G. Wiltgen, self-portrait.
G. Wiltgen takes a shot out the left side of the cockpit.
G. Wiltgen in the back seat of N1022 gets a shot of AF-1A BuNo 160212 N1021 and AF-1 BuNo 160196 N1011,
Closer shot, And even closer.
G. Wiltgen in the back seat of N1022 gets a shot of AF-1A BuNo 160212 N1021, Another shot of N1021, And another, And another, And one more.
G. Wiltgen in the back seat of N1022 gets a shot of AF-1A BuNo 160212 N1021 and AF-1 BuNo 160196 N1011.
AF-1A Skyhawks BuNo 160212 N1021 and 16022 N1022 about to land.
AF-1A Skyhawks BuNo 160212 N1021 lands and 16022 N1022 about to land.
AF-1A Skyhawk BuNo 160212 N1021 deploys chute.
AF-1A Skyhawk BuNo 160213 N1022 deploys chute.
AF-1A Skyhawks N1021 and N1022 during run-out upon landing. Pic2 of run-out
N1021, BuNo 160212 taxis in after landing. Canopy coming up.
Traditional wash-down after first flight, G. Wiltgen gets wet.
After traditional wash-down for his first flight, G. Wiltgen tries to get water out of his eyes.
After traditional wash-down for his first flight, G. Wiltgen gets beat dry.
Air to Air photos by G. Wiltgen. Ground photos by Luiz Padilha and Alexandre Galante of PODER NAVAL at www.naval.com.br

Sources

Captain Matias
Valter Sousa Andrade.
Rodrigo Bendoraytes.
FCM Decals.
Rafael Pelizzon Ferreira
Captain Wynn Foster, United States Navy retired.
Fotodisk Multimidia.
Commander Curt Francis, United States Navy retired.
Harry S. Gann.
Ronaldo Lucas.
Lieutenant Commander Claudio Mello, Brazilian Navy.
Felipe Canto Miranda.
Brian K. Shaune.
Bill Sower.
Max Tollens.
Ronnie Whamond.
Stephan de Bruijn
Gary Verver
LT Igor Bastos
CDR Fornseca Jr.

Account menu

Brazilian Navy VF-1

Brazilian Navy VF-1 "Falcoes" (Hawks)

Photos