Technical Data
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Technical Data
| This page is dedicated to Mr. Robert O. Rahn Please read about him below. |
| Original R.G. Smith Skyhawk Concept Blueprint |
R.G. Smith A4D-1 Sketch |
| Variant | A4D-1 A-4A |
A4D-2 A-4B |
A4D-2N A-4C |
A-4L | A4D-5 A-4E |
A-4F | A-4M Drwg1 A-4M Drwg2 |
TA-4F | TA-4J |
| Length | 39'4" | 39'4" | 40'1" | 40'1" | 41'3" | 41'3" | 41'3" | 43'7" | 43'7" |
| Wing Span | 27'6" | 27'6" | 27'6" | 27'6" | 27'6" | 27'6" | 27'6" | 27'6" | 27'6" |
| Main Lndg Gr Width | 7'9.5" | 7'9.5" | 7'9.5" | 7'9.5" | 7'9.5" | 7'9.5" | 7'9.5" | 7'9.5" | 7'9.5" |
| Empty weight (lbs) | 8,400 | 9,146 | 9,728 | 9,728 | 9,853 | 10,448 | 10,465 | 10,602 | |
| Engine | Curtiss-Wright J65-W-16A | Curtiss-Wright J65-W-16A | Curtiss-Wright J65-W-16A | Curtiss-Wright J65-W-20 | Pratt Whitney J52-P6A | Pratt Whitney J52-P8A/8B | Pratt Whitney J52-P408 | Pratt Whitney J52-P8A/8B | Pratt Whitney J52-P6A |
| Static Thrust (lbs) | 7,700 | 7,700 | 7,700 | 8,400 | 8,500 | 9,300 | 11,200 | 9,300 | 8,500 |
| Engine Upgrade (some) | None | J65-W-20 | J65-W-20 | J52-P-8A, 8B | J52-P-8A, 8B | J52-P-408 | None | J52-P-8A, 8B | None |
| Intakes | Flush | Flush | Flush | Separated | Separated | Separated | Separated | Separated | Separated |
| Max level mph | 664 | 661 | 649 | 649 | 673 | 673 | 673 | 675 | |
| Elevator | Boosted | Powered | Powered | Powered | Powered | Powered | Powered | Powered | Powered |
| Extendable Control Stick | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Nose Wheel Steering | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drag Chute | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Internal Fuel (gal) | 810 | 810 | 810 | 810 | 810 | 810 | 670 | 670 | |
| Wng Fuel Sensors | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Refueling Probe | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | yes | yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stabilizer Trim (degrees) | 12up,1dwn | 11up,1dwn | 11up,1dwn | 11up,1dwn | 12.25up,1dwn | 12.25up,1dwn | 12.25up,1dwn | 12.25up,1dwn | 11up,1dwn |
| Spoilers | No | No | No | Yes | No,(AFC442) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ext. Stations | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| JATO | No | No | Some Provisions Only | Partial Provisions | Some Provisions Only | Partial Provisions | Complete Provisions | Partial Provisions | Some Provisions Only |
| Oxygen | 5 Litre | 5 Litre | 10 Litre | 10 Litre | 10 Litre | 10 Litre | 10 Litre | 10 Litre | 10 Litre |
|
In the A-4A, the aileron was powered by a single system. All subsequent models the aileron was tandem powered. The Control Stick Grip Functions. AOA Pic1 Pic2 Pic3 Pic4 AFC 442 incl Spoilers Roll Rate: A Skyhawk's roll rate is 720 degrees per second with a limitation of 2 rolls before the front and back of the airplane switch positions uncontrollably do to a dynamic called "roll coupling". Fuselage fuel tank was directly behind the cockpit, and utilized one fuel gauge sensor in all variants. This tank was smaller in the two seat variants. Skyhawk Electrical System |
Engine Start Capabilities JATO (A-4B with "ASC 172" and later) 4500lbs thrust each for 5 sec. Max Speed: A4D-1 BuNo 137820, LT Gordon Gray USN - 500 kilometer closed course world speed record 695.163 MPH, 15OCT1955, Edwards Air Force Base. The Skyhawk can exceed the speed of sound in a dive, but it is not a recommended activity. Egress Systems [Early seats = Cartridge Seat, RAPEC] A-4A,B,C,E = Escapac 1, 1A-1; A-4F, TA-4F = Escapac IC-3; IF-3, IG-3 |
|
External Plyons: Centerline Aero 7A (suspension= 14 and 30 inch) Centerline w LB-18A Camera POD Wings Aero 20A (suspension= 14 inch) Maximum External Load Capacities: Fuselage Centerline Station (all models) = 3,500 lbs 2 Inboard Wing Stations (all models) = 2,200 lbs (ea.) 2 Outboard Wing Stations (all except A/B/C/P/Q) = 1,000 lbs (ea.) |
External Fuel Tanks: (Useable) 150gal Aero 1C Drop Tank - 147gal 300gal Aero 1D Drop Tank - 295gal Air Refueling Store Centerline 400gal Drop Tank - 396gal External Baggage Container CNU-188/A [Blivet] (Bobtail or Two Fin models - 27in diameter) |
 This photo shows a PPCP (Pilot's Personal Cargo Pod) being studied for a Weather Survey Pod. |
 The A4 in the 7X10 foot transonic wind tunnel at the David W Taylor Model Basin in Carderock, MD circa 1961-64. Above picture, I believe, is with a Walleye. Donald Henry |
| Variant | A-4A | A-4B | A-4C | A-4L | A-4E | A-4F | A-4M | TA-4F | TA-4J |
| Upper Avionics Bay | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| AFCS | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Radar | No | No | AN/APG-53A | AN/APG-53A | AN/APG-53A | AN/APG-53A | AN/APG-53A, Provisions Only |
AN/APG-53A | |
| Video IP-936/AXQ | No | No | No | Some | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | No | Provisions Only |
| Comm Gear | RT-355/ ASQ-17 (AN/ARC-27A) |
RT-355/ ASQ-17 (AN/ARC-27A) |
RT-355/ ASQ-17 (AN/ARC-27A) |
RT-355/ ASQ-17 (AN/ARC-27A) |
AN/ARC-51A AN/ARR-69 |
AN/ARC-51A AN/ARR-69 |
AN/ARC-51A AN/ARR-69 AN/ARR-114 (VHF-FM) |
AN/ARC-51A AN/ARR-69 |
AN/ARC-51A AN/ARR-69 |
| Nav Cmptr | None | AN/ASN-19A | AN/ASN-19A | AN/ASN41 | AN/ASN-19A/AN/ASN41 | AN/ASN41 | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | AN/ASN-19A |
| IFF | RT-354/ (AN/APX-6B)ASQ-17 |
RT-354/ (AN/APX-6B)ASQ-17 |
RT-354/ (AN/APX-6B)ASQ-17 |
AN/APX-64(V | RT-354/ (AN/APX-6B)ASQ-17 |
AN/APX-64(V) | AN/APX-72(V) | AN/APX-64(V) AN/APX-72 |
|
| APC AN/ASN-54 | No | No | Yes | Provisions Only | Yes | Yes | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Yes |
| Doppler AN/APN-153 | No | No | No | Yes | Some | Yes | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | No |
| TACAN | AN/ARN-21D | No | No | Yes | Some | Yes | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | No |
| RADAR Altimeter | No | AN APN-141 | AN APN-141 | AN APN-141 | AN APN-141 | AN APN-141 | AN APN-141 AN APN-194 | AN APN-141 | AN APN-141 |
| AIMS | No | No | AFC-482 | Partial Provisions | AFC-482 | Partial Provisions | Provisions Only | Partial Provisions | AFC-482 |
| ECM | No | No | Provisions Only | Some | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | No | Provisions Only |
| The A-4F variant was the only one equipped with ALS , the AN/ARA-63. | AFC 482 Updates A-4C/E Avionics to A-4F Configurations |
| OA-4F | EA-4F |
| Mongoose and Super-Fox Modifications | Sample parts list. |
|
A-4A thru A-4E Integrated Electronics Pack Mock-up of CNI installation A4D |
A-4L Throttle Image of the horizontal stabalizer. Cutaways of Rudder/Elevator and Wing Areas |
 If You Aint Ordnance You Aint ----! |
 |
| Variant | A-4A | A-4B | A-4C | A-4L | A-4E | A-4F | A-4M | TA-4F | TA-4J |
| Guns | 20MM 200rds | 20MM 200rds | 20MM 200rds | 20MM 200rds | 20MM 200rds | 20MM 200rds | 20MM 400rds | 20MM 200rds | 20MM 200rds |
| Ext. Stations | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| LABS | AERO 18B | AERO 18B | AN/AJB-3 | AN/AJB-3A | AN/AJB-3A / 3A | AN/AJB-3A | AN/AJB-3A | Provisions Only | AN/AJB-3A |
| CP-741/A | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Provisions Only | Yes |
| Special Weapons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sidewinder | No | No | Some AFC-203A |
No | No | Two Stations AFC |
No | No | Some AFC-203A |
| Bullpup | No | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | No | Provisions Only |
| GCBS | No | Some Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Yes | No | Provisions Only |
| Shrike | No | No | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Provisions Only/td> | Yes |
| Walleye | No | No | No | Some Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | Provisions Only | No | Provisions Only |
Skyhawk Ordinance Page
Non-Domestic Variants
| Arg. A-4P (B) | Arg A-4C | Arg. Navy A-4Q (B) | A-4AR (M) | A-4KU (M) | A-4G (F) | A-4K (F) |
| A-4H (E) | A-4H (F) | A-4PTM (B) | A-4S (B) | A-4PTM (C) | A-4S (C) | AF-1 |
| OA-4AR (TA-4F) | TA-4G | TA-4H | TA-4K | TA-4KU | TA-4PTM | AF-1A |
Douglas Test Pilot Robert O. Rahn,
the first pilot to fly the A-4 Skyhawk, the Ferrari of airplanes.
June 22, 1954.
(Harry Gann photo)
- Robert O. Rahn, first pilot to fly the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, passed away at age 77 on Thursday, May 21, 1998, a victim of ALS (Lou Gehrig disease).
- Around the Douglas Aircraft Company flight test department, Bob had the reputation as being "a cool and thorough pilot." There were several instances in the flight test programs of the AD Skyraider, the F4D Skyray, and the A4D Skyhawk where his unflappable demeanor during test flight emergencies literally saved the programs. Bob also participated in the F3D Skyknight and F5D Skylancer flight test programs.
- Born in Harvey, Illinois, on December 29, 1920, Bob attended the University of Cincinnati, intending to earn a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. While there, he learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and, in early 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and entered flight training. After graduating, he became a member of the first United States fighter group to deploy to England, where he flew the Spitfire with the 309 Fighter Squadron.
- After completing his overseas tour, Rahn returned to the U.S. and wrangled an assignment to Wright Field to attend the United States Air Force Test Pilots School. With World War II all but over, in August 1945 Bob accepted employment as a test pilot at Douglas Aircraft Company, where he subsequently made first flights in 18 different aircraft between 1946 and 1956. In 1957 he joined the Rockwell Company as an Apollo Space Capsule simulator research pilot. Rahn retired from the aircraft industry in 1984 to devote much of his time to skiing and flying his Navion aircraft in speed enhancement and point to point flight competition with other Navion owners.
- Among the group of World War II pilots who bridged the gap between the "seat-of-the-pants" pilots and the engineer-scientist aviators that now conduct aircraft flight tests, Bob Rahn accumulated many honors in his flying career. He was inducted into the Navy Test Pilots Hall of Honor, set a world speed record in the Douglas F4D Skyray, served as a founding member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, was a charter member of the Aviation Hall of Fame, and an original member of the Skyhawk Association.
- Bob Rahn was characterized as "a pilot who knew what was going on, able to tell the engineers what the problems were in their own terms."
