A-4D-2N Specifications:
Length......................................39 ft 4 inches
Height.......................................15 ft
Wing Span................................27 ft 6 inches
Empty Weight..........................10,400 Ibs
Loaded Weight........................18,300 Ibs
Max Takeoff Weight................24,500 Ibs
Range........................................2000 miles
Max Speed................................673 mph
The Skyhawk was the result of a Douglas design headed by Ed Heinemann to meet a Navy specification for a jet powered replacement for the AD Skyraider. The Skyhawk design met all the requirements specified by the Navy, but weighed less than half of what the Navy envisioned. The simple yet extremely strong modified delta platform wing spanned less than 28 feet, eliminating the need for a wing folding mechanism found on it's cousin, the A-6 Intruder. The Navy ordered prototypes on June 21, 1952. The Skyhawk quickly became loved by it's pilots and crew and was affectionately known as Heinemann's Hot Rod, Tinker Toy, Bantam Bomber, Mighty Mite, Ford, and Scooter.
The Museum's Skyhawk was built at the Douglas plant in El Segundo, CA. It was number 337 of 638 A4D-2N's built. It is on loan from the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, FL.
