History

This aircraft was delivered to the Marines in October 1971. This aircraft saw service with VMA-331"Bumblebees", VMAT-102 , VMA-214 "Black Sheep", MAG-42, and VMA-131 within MAG-49 prior to being stricken from service in June of 1994.

The "M" was the final evolution of the A4 which was designed by the famed Douglas Aircraft Company designer Ed Heinemann to meet a 1952 Navy request for a carrier based attack aircraft weighing about 30,000 pounds and powered by a turboprop engine. Payload criteria was supposed to be in the 2,000 pound range. Ed Heinemann responded with a turbojet powered aircraft weighing less than half the requested weight, but capable of carrying four times the weapons payload!

Needless to say, the Navy was delighted. The prototype A4D-1 was first flown in 1954. The A4 enjoyed a production run of twenty four years. The 2,960th, and final Sky Hawk was delivered to the Marines in 1979. Feats of the "Sky Hawk" in combat are legendary. In Vietnam, the aircraft proved a reputation for survivability, dependability, and the ability to carry a huge weapons load, delivering it with extreme accuracy.

Restoration

#158182 prior to restoration, June 1994
(photo by Gary Campbell)

In 1996 the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association (DVHAA) completed restoration of a Douglas A4M "Sky Hawk" attack jet to static display condition. This aircraft was formerly operated by Marine Attack Squadron 131 (VMA-131) based at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, PA.

DVHAA received #158182 in June of 1994. At the time of receipt the aircraft had been stripped of parts and lay in pieces upon the hangar floor at MAG-49. Marines assisted DVHAA volunteers in piecing the aircraft back together using unserviceable parts gathered from a number of sources. The cockpit was brought back up to a complete configuration, including all the ejection seat components and instrumentation. Weapons were requested, and their demilitarized issue approved by Marine officials. Over the course of the next two years, #158182's appearance was continually upgraded and polished for airshow appearances.

During March 1996, a complete repaint was initiated. Marine Aircraft Group 49 at NAS-JRB Willow Grove graciously lent hangar space and patience to enthusiastic DVHAA volunteers who spent three weeks wet sanding, patching, and priming the aircraft.

The 111th Fighter Group, Pennslyvania Air National Guard had recently constructed a new hangar to meet their needs for corrosion control and fuel cell repair on the OA-10A "Wart Hogs" flown by the unit. Assistance was requested from the 111th. Colonel Louis Meyer and his airmen leaped at the opportunity to help in any way they could. Subject to operational needs by the 111th, the corrosion control hangar was offered to DVHAA. Technical advice and access to specialized equipment was enthusiastically offered, accepted, and utilized by the DVHAA.

Some three thousand man hours of volunteer effort by twenty five DVHAA members aided by Marines from MAG-49, Airmen from the PA Air National Guard, and Sailors from the NAS-JRB Transient Line Crew culminated in a magnificent tribute to the colorful days of Marine Corps Aviation twenty years ago.

Local aviation artist Gary Campbell painted the VMA-131 crest on the left side of #158182's fuselage, and a special tribute to the squadron's WWII veterans on the right. VMA-131 flew the "Last of the Red Hot Scooters" into history in August of 1994. #158182 will remain on guard at NAS-JRB Willow Grove, restored as a tribute to all the Marines who have placed their lives on the line for our country. Semper Fi!

Aircraft Specific Links:

• Skyhawk Association
• #158182 site at Skyhawk.org
• Brasilian OA-4M
• AeroWeb A4M site   (Specs, where to find in museums, etc.)
• Fuerza Aerea Argentia