McDonnell Douglas TA-4/J Skyhawk : A Rare Working Fighter Jet

Описание: The TA-4J Skyhawk model entered production in June 1969. It became the longest-serving of the Skyhawks as the US Navy’s standard advanced jet trainer until replaced in the early 1990’s with the T-45A Goshawk. The TA-4J descended from the Navy and Marine Corps single-seat light attack aircraft designed in the early 1950s by a team of Douglas Aircraft engineers lead by Ed Heinemann. The first Skyhawk prototype flew in June 1954.
The Skyhawk was one of the most successful attack aircraft in US Navy and Marine Corps service. Single-seat Skyhawks were much used by Navy and Marine Corps squadrons during the Vietnam War. Its low delta wing of 27 feet 6 inches (8.4m) was small enough not to require folding on aircraft carrier decks.

During service, the Skyhawk acquired several nicknames, including Heinemann's Hot Rod, Mighty Mite, Scooter, Tinker Toy, and Bantam Bomber.
This particular Skyhawk carries the name of its pilot, Lt. Jethro Flodin who flew "771", during its' service days, for about 800 hours. It last flew with Carrier Training Wing 1 (CTW-1), Training Squadron 7 (VT-7), at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi. Its last flight was on October 7, 1999 when Navy Commander Erick “Gordo” Gerdes flew the Skyhawk from NAS Meridian to Forbes Field.