Known as “Heinemann’s Hot-Rod” and the “Scooter” by the thousands of Naval Aviators who flew it, the A-4 Skyhawk served as a front-line light attack aircraft from 1956 until its retirement by the Marine Corps in 1990. Simple in design and nimble in flight, the rugged Skyhawk saw widespread service throughout the Vietnam War. The A-4 was also flown by the Blue Angels from 1974 to 1986, the longest any aircraft has served with the demonstration squadron. Its specifications included a wingspan of 27 feet 6 inches, a length of 40 feet 3 3/4 inches, a height of 15 feet, a maximum speed of 670 miles per hour, a range of 2,000 miles, and a gross weight of 24,500 pounds.