Douglas NA-4M Skyhawk

Affectionately known as the "Scooter," the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk served as a low-complexity successor to the propeller-driven A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft and, over a production run of more than 3000 aircraft, was operated by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and foreign militaries in increasingly capable versions shaped by new avionics and engines. The final production version, the A-4M, was distinguished by a hump on top of the fuselage that housed mission electronics. Versatile A-4s flew attack missions in Vietnam and also served as in-flight tankers, adversary and electronic warfare simulators, jet trainers, and U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration aircraft. Bureau Number 155049 spent its service life at NAS Patuxent River; built as an A-4F, it first flew on 14 May 1970, was then converted into the prototype A-4M and given the special "N" designation for permanent assignment as a test aircraft, transferred in February 1971 to the Naval Air Test Center for Board of Inspection and Survey trials, later used for the Engine Component Improvement Program and other projects, and remained in service with NATC's Strike Aircraft Test Directorate until its retirement and transfer to PRNAM in November 1990.

California, Maryland · United States