Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk - NAS Meridian, MS - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat, single-engine, carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell-Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D under the US Navy's pre-1962 designation system.

The A-4 is a compact, light-weight design with a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds (11,100 kg). With a top speed of more than 600 miles per hour (970 km/h), its performance is compromised by its small size. The aircraft's five hardpoints support a variety of missiles, bombs and other munitions. Prior to the A-4E, power was supplied by the Wright J65; with the A-4E, the installed engine became the 9,300-pound-force (41 kN) Pratt & Whitney J52.

Skyhawks played key roles in the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Falklands War. Fifty years after the aircraft's first flight, some of the nearly 3,000 produced remain in service with several air arms around the world, including 12 A-4(9 A-4KU and 3 TA-4KU) that have been modernized for the Brazilian Navy's aircraft carrier, São Paulo.

The A-4 Skyhawk was introduced to a training role in the two-seat TA-4J configuration replacing the TF-9J Cougar as the advanced jet trainer. The TA-4J served as the advanced jet trainer in white and orange markings for decades until being replaced by the T-45 Goshawk. Additional TA-4J Skyhawks were assigned to Instrument Training Replacement Air Group Squadrons (RAG's) at all the Navy master jet bases under RCVW-12 and RCVW-4. The Instrument RAG's initially provided jet transition training for Naval Aviators during the time period when Naval Aviation still had a great number of propeller-driven aircraft and also provided annual instrument training and check rides for Naval Aviators. The assigned TA-4J models were installed with collapsible hoods so the aviator under training had to demonstrate instrument flying skills without any outside reference.

Source: Wikipedia

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): TA-4J Tail Number: (S/N): BuNo 158490 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): NAS Meridian, MS inside / outside: outside Access restrictions: Located 1/4mi inside the main gate on the left in front of the Administration building. Other Information:: Not listed

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