On June 12, 1952, the U.S. Navy contracted with Douglas Aircraft Company to build one prototype XA4D-1 Skyhawk attack aircraft. Before delivery of the A4D to fleet units, an improved version, the A4D-2, was ordered into production. Bureau Number 142940 was flown from Naval Air Station South Weymouth by Marine and Navy Reserve Attack squadrons through much of the 1960’s. It was one of 542 of the B version, with that production beginning in 1956, and one of 2,960 A4s of all versions built. It was accepted into service Nov. 25, 1958 and assigned to Marine Attack Squadron VMA 311 in El Toro, California. Fleet Refurbishment at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, received the aircraft July 18, 1965, overhauled it, and assigned it to NAS South Weymouth on Sept. 24, 1965, where it was based until Feb. 1, 1971. It was stricken from Navy inventory on April 30, 1971 and then assigned to the Naval Air Technical Training Center. In 1981, Captain Ray Demming, a former Reserve squadron commanding officer, arranged for the assignment and transport of 1429240 to NAS SoWey for use as a display aircraft, and in August 1997 it took its place in the Shea Field Memorial Grove. The A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk airframe was 38 feet long with a wingspan of only 27.5 feet, eliminating the need for the heavy and expensive wing fold system normally found in carrier based aircraft. Though its empty weight was only 9,146 pounds, its maximum takeoff weight was 22,500 pounds. Powered by a Wright J65 turbojet engine, its maximum level speed was 660 miles per hour. Pilots called the Skyhawk Heinemann’s Hot Rod, Scooter, and The Tinkertoy. It had the longest production run of any tactical aircraft in aviation history, about 25 years. First flown in 1954, it was finally retired from U.S. Navy active service in 2003. Although early versions were designed to deliver carrier based nuclear weapons, the Skyhawk ultimately found primary use in close air support, interdiction, and training, and it remains in use in some foreign countries. Its contribution during the conflict in South Asia is well documented. Top Gun instructors flying later versions could beat any aircraft flown against them. The Blue Angels flew the Skyhawk for twelve years.