McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (redesignated from A4D in 1962)
Version overview
Deck-based single-seat (two-seat in TA and OA variants) attack aircraft, originally built for the US Navy.
In addition to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, it has spread to a number of other countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.
The A-4 Skyhawk saw heavy combat deployment in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1973, in the Arab-Israeli wars and conflicts from 1969 to 1995, and in the Falklands War in 1982.
XA4D-1
First prototype, flown 1954.
A-4A (A4D-1)
Single-seat attack aircraft. First production version, produced from 1956. 166 units produced.
A-4B (A4D-2)
A single-seat attack aircraft, created by improving the A-4A. Since 1956, 542 units have been produced.
From the A-4B were derived the A-4P and A-4Q versions for Argentina.
A-4C (A4D-2N)
Single-seat attack aircraft, based on the A-4B. It differs from it by the installation of a radar and the extension of electronics.
638 units produced since 1960.
Between 1969 and 1972, 100 were upgraded by incorporating electronics from the A-4F and designated A-4L.
From the A-4C were derived the A-4PTM and TA-4PTM versions for Malaysia and the A-4S and TA-4S for Singapore.
A-4E (A4D-5)
Single-seat attack aircraft. 499 produced since 1963.
From the A-4E is derived the Australian variant A-4G.
TA-4E
A two-seat trainer fighter aircraft. Two prototypes produced in 1965. It was serially produced under the designation TA-4F.
A-4F
A single-seat attack aircraft, based on the A-4E. It is distinguished from it by its enhanced electronic equipment.
146 built since 1967.
The Israeli A-4H and New Zealand A-4K variants are derived from the A-4F.
EA-4F
A two-seat radio electronic warfare aircraft based on the TA-4F.
4 units built.
TA-4F
Two-seat trainer combat aircraft, a production variant of the TA-4E prototypes.
238 units produced.
From TA-4F were derived export versions TA-4G (Australia),TA-4H (Israel), TA-4K (New Zealand) and special versions EA-4F and OA-4M.
A-4G
Single-seat combat variant for the Australian Navy, based on the A-4E.
16 units produced in 1967.
TA-4G
A two-seat combat trainer variant for the Australian Navy, based on the TA-4F.
4 units built in 1967.
A-4H
Single-seat combat variant for Israel, based on the A-4F. It differs from it by the absence of an electronic hump on the back of the fuselage, the installation of a braking parachute and a new communications system. After modernization in the 1970s, the A-4H received expanded electronics in the range of the original A-4F and an extended exhaust nozzle.
Between 1967 and 1970, 90 units were produced.
In the late 1970s, some A-4Hs were sold to Indonesia.
TA-4H
A two-seat combat trainer variant for Israel, based on the TA-4F. It differs from it by the installation of a braking parachute and a new communication system. After 1973, it received an extended exhaust nozzle.
In 1969, 10 units were produced.
TA-4J
A two-seat trainer variant for the US Navy, based on the TA-4F. It differs from it by a weaker engine and the absence of some weapons systems. In addition to the US, it was also delivered to Israel.
299 units produced since 1969.
A-4K
Single-seat combat variant for New Zealand, based on the A-4F. It differs from it by an extended weapon system, installation of a braking parachute.
10 units produced in 1970.
TA-4K
Two-seat combat trainer variant for New Zealand, based on the TA-4F.
4 units produced in 1970.
A-4KU
Single-seat combat variant for Kuwait, based on the A-4M. It differs from it only in details.
30 units produced.
In 1998, 20 A-4KUs were sold to Brazil, where they serve under the AF-1 designation.
TA-4KU
A two-seat combat trainer variant for Kuwait, based on the TA-4F. It differs from it by the installation of a more powerful J52-P-408 engine (the same as in the A-4M or A-4KU) and an expanded electronics system located in the hump on the back of the fuselage, and a weapons system expanded to match the single-seat A-4KU.
6 units produced. In 1998, 3 TA-4KUs were sold to Brazil, where they serve under the designation AF-1A.
A-4L
A single-seat attack aircraft, created by upgrading the A-4C. The modernization consisted primarily of incorporating electronics from the A-4F.
Between 1969 and 1972, 100 units were converted.
A-4M
A single-seat attack aircraft originally built for the U.S. Marine Corps. It features a redesigned fuselage nose and a more powerful J52-P-408 engine.
162 units produced since 1971.
From the A-4M are derived the export variants A-4N for Israel and A-4KU for Kuwait.
Since 1998, 32 aircraft have been upgraded by incorporating some of the electronics from the F-16A and sold to Argentina under the designation A-4AR.
A-4AR
Single-seat fighter variant for Argentina. The A-4AR was created by overhauling and upgrading A-4Ms retired from the U.S. Marine Corps.
32 units have been rebuilt since 1998.
OA-4M
A two-seat forward air controller aircraft, created by conversion from the TA-4F. It differs from it by incorporating new electronics, which are largely concentrated in a hump on the back of the fuselage.
Since 1978, 23 units have been rebuilt.
OA-4AR
Two-seat combat trainer variant for Argentina. The OA-4AR was created by overhauling and upgrading the OA-4M, retired from the US Marine Corps.
Since 1998, 4 units have been rebuilt.
A-4N
Single-seat combat variant for Israel, derived from the A-4M. It differs from it in having 30 mm calibre guns, some electronics and, as of late 1973, an extended exhaust nozzle.
Between 1972 and 1976, 117 units were produced.
A-4P
A single-seat fighter variant for the Argentine Air Force, created by converting the older A-4B. It differs from it with a more powerful engine and more modern electronics. The A-4P is virtually identical to the A-4Q.
Between 1966 and 1967, 50 aircraft were converted.
A-4PTM
Single-seat combat variant for Malaysia, created by rebuilding the older A-4C and A-4L.
34 units converted between 1984 and 1986.
TA-4PTM
Two-seat combat trainer for Malaysia, created by rebuilding the single-seat A-4C and A-4L.
6 units converted between 1984 and 1986.
A-4Q
Single-seat combat variant for the Argentine Navy, created by rebuilding the older A-4B. It differs from it with a more powerful engine and more modern electronics. The A-4Q is virtually identical to the A-4P.
In 1971, 16 aircraft were converted.
A-4S
Single-seat fighter variant for Singapore, created by rebuilding the older A-4C.
32 units converted since 1973.
A-4SU
Singapore's single-seat fighter variant, created by an extensive modernization of the A-4S.
TA-4S
Singapore's two-seat trainer combat variant, created by the conversion of the single-seat A-4C.
7 units converted in total.
TA-4SU
Singapore's two-seat combat trainer variant, created by an extensive upgrade of the TA-4S.
Edited by Tango, 25.2.2009
Version overview
Deck-based single-seat (two-seat in TA and OA variants) attack aircraft, originally built for the US Navy.
In addition to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, it has spread to a number of other countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.
The A-4 Skyhawk saw heavy combat deployment in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1973, in the Arab-Israeli wars and conflicts from 1969 to 1995, and in the Falklands War in 1982.
XA4D-1
First prototype, flown 1954.
A-4A (A4D-1)
Single-seat attack aircraft. First production version, produced from 1956. 166 units produced.
A-4B (A4D-2)
A single-seat attack aircraft, created by improving the A-4A. Since 1956, 542 units have been produced.
From the A-4B were derived the A-4P and A-4Q versions for Argentina.
A-4C (A4D-2N)
Single-seat attack aircraft, based on the A-4B. It differs from it by the installation of a radar and the extension of electronics.
638 units produced since 1960.
Between 1969 and 1972, 100 were upgraded by incorporating electronics from the A-4F and designated A-4L.
From the A-4C were derived the A-4PTM and TA-4PTM versions for Malaysia and the A-4S and TA-4S for Singapore.
A-4E (A4D-5)
Single-seat attack aircraft. 499 produced since 1963.
From the A-4E is derived the Australian variant A-4G.
TA-4E
A two-seat trainer fighter aircraft. Two prototypes produced in 1965. It was serially produced under the designation TA-4F.
A-4F
A single-seat attack aircraft, based on the A-4E. It is distinguished from it by its enhanced electronic equipment.
146 built since 1967.
The Israeli A-4H and New Zealand A-4K variants are derived from the A-4F.
EA-4F
A two-seat radio electronic warfare aircraft based on the TA-4F.
4 units built.
TA-4F
Two-seat trainer combat aircraft, a production variant of the TA-4E prototypes.
238 units produced.
From TA-4F were derived export versions TA-4G (Australia),TA-4H (Israel), TA-4K (New Zealand) and special versions EA-4F and OA-4M.
A-4G
Single-seat combat variant for the Australian Navy, based on the A-4E.
16 units produced in 1967.
TA-4G
A two-seat combat trainer variant for the Australian Navy, based on the TA-4F.
4 units built in 1967.
A-4H
Single-seat combat variant for Israel, based on the A-4F. It differs from it by the absence of an electronic hump on the back of the fuselage, the installation of a braking parachute and a new communications system. After modernization in the 1970s, the A-4H received expanded electronics in the range of the original A-4F and an extended exhaust nozzle.
Between 1967 and 1970, 90 units were produced.
In the late 1970s, some A-4Hs were sold to Indonesia.
TA-4H
A two-seat combat trainer variant for Israel, based on the TA-4F. It differs from it by the installation of a braking parachute and a new communication system. After 1973, it received an extended exhaust nozzle.
In 1969, 10 units were produced.
TA-4J
A two-seat trainer variant for the US Navy, based on the TA-4F. It differs from it by a weaker engine and the absence of some weapons systems. In addition to the US, it was also delivered to Israel.
299 units produced since 1969.
A-4K
Single-seat combat variant for New Zealand, based on the A-4F. It differs from it by an extended weapon system, installation of a braking parachute.
10 units produced in 1970.
TA-4K
Two-seat combat trainer variant for New Zealand, based on the TA-4F.
4 units produced in 1970.
A-4KU
Single-seat combat variant for Kuwait, based on the A-4M. It differs from it only in details.
30 units produced.
In 1998, 20 A-4KUs were sold to Brazil, where they serve under the AF-1 designation.
TA-4KU
A two-seat combat trainer variant for Kuwait, based on the TA-4F. It differs from it by the installation of a more powerful J52-P-408 engine (the same as in the A-4M or A-4KU) and an expanded electronics system located in the hump on the back of the fuselage, and a weapons system expanded to match the single-seat A-4KU.
6 units produced. In 1998, 3 TA-4KUs were sold to Brazil, where they serve under the designation AF-1A.
A-4L
A single-seat attack aircraft, created by upgrading the A-4C. The modernization consisted primarily of incorporating electronics from the A-4F.
Between 1969 and 1972, 100 units were converted.
A-4M
A single-seat attack aircraft originally built for the U.S. Marine Corps. It features a redesigned fuselage nose and a more powerful J52-P-408 engine.
162 units produced since 1971.
From the A-4M are derived the export variants A-4N for Israel and A-4KU for Kuwait.
Since 1998, 32 aircraft have been upgraded by incorporating some of the electronics from the F-16A and sold to Argentina under the designation A-4AR.
A-4AR
Single-seat fighter variant for Argentina. The A-4AR was created by overhauling and upgrading A-4Ms retired from the U.S. Marine Corps.
32 units have been rebuilt since 1998.
OA-4M
A two-seat forward air controller aircraft, created by conversion from the TA-4F. It differs from it by incorporating new electronics, which are largely concentrated in a hump on the back of the fuselage.
Since 1978, 23 units have been rebuilt.
OA-4AR
Two-seat combat trainer variant for Argentina. The OA-4AR was created by overhauling and upgrading the OA-4M, retired from the US Marine Corps.
Since 1998, 4 units have been rebuilt.
A-4N
Single-seat combat variant for Israel, derived from the A-4M. It differs from it in having 30 mm calibre guns, some electronics and, as of late 1973, an extended exhaust nozzle.
Between 1972 and 1976, 117 units were produced.
A-4P
A single-seat fighter variant for the Argentine Air Force, created by converting the older A-4B. It differs from it with a more powerful engine and more modern electronics. The A-4P is virtually identical to the A-4Q.
Between 1966 and 1967, 50 aircraft were converted.
A-4PTM
Single-seat combat variant for Malaysia, created by rebuilding the older A-4C and A-4L.
34 units converted between 1984 and 1986.
TA-4PTM
Two-seat combat trainer for Malaysia, created by rebuilding the single-seat A-4C and A-4L.
6 units converted between 1984 and 1986.
A-4Q
Single-seat combat variant for the Argentine Navy, created by rebuilding the older A-4B. It differs from it with a more powerful engine and more modern electronics. The A-4Q is virtually identical to the A-4P.
In 1971, 16 aircraft were converted.
A-4S
Single-seat fighter variant for Singapore, created by rebuilding the older A-4C.
32 units converted since 1973.
A-4SU
Singapore's single-seat fighter variant, created by an extensive modernization of the A-4S.
TA-4S
Singapore's two-seat trainer combat variant, created by the conversion of the single-seat A-4C.
7 units converted in total.
TA-4SU
Singapore's two-seat combat trainer variant, created by an extensive upgrade of the TA-4S.
Edited by Tango, 25.2.2009