A-4 Skyhawk is 50 today

I remember when the A-4 first came to NAS Alameda. VA-93, then under CDR
Paul Padgett, was the first west coast squadron to get them, starting in
1956 IIRC. I was just a youngster at the time, but it sure was exciting to
see these little hot-rods on the Alameda flight line. Glancing at the
hangar parking lot you'd see all the convertibles with the big tail fins
common on cars of that time, so the entire impression was one of speed.

New developments came along much faster then than now. My Dad took over
from Paul and within just a few months they began transitioning from the
A4D-1 (A-4A) to the A4D-2 (A-4B). The B retained the not-too-well-liked
J-65. However, it was the first of the type to have the external fueling
probe and to be fitted for buddy tanking.

--
Mike Kanze

"It would be a nightmare to live with the French. They are so irritating.
I've lived in England for 30 years and I'm a much better Frenchman for it."

- Raymond Blanc, French cordon bleu chef, on his countrymen.


"José Herculano" wrote in message
...
I kid you not!
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José Herculano