And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
The Douglas A-4 attack aircraft - Heinemann’s Hot Rod - was in production for nearly 45-years. A-4 design achievements included being the smallest nuclear capable bomber, adapted to significant engine & avionic upgrades. Israeli designers used the A-4 in developing successful use of conformal fuel tanks. Skyhawks were delivered under budget while exceeding performance requirements. Designer Ed Heinemann, not a college educated engineer, learned his craft “hands on” working with men like Douglas, Northrop and Hughes.
Wikipedia says that, "Conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) are additional fuel tanks." So, if those are just additional tanks, where is the main fuel located? Normally, the answer would be in the wings. But, those are very, very thin wings.
Pilots would sit in them on a carrier deck in the sea of Japan with a 1 mega ton nuke strapped to the belly waiting for the go signal to to take a one way trip into the user. Go naval air.
There's a cherry A-4B for sale, when last I looked, spare engines, everything. Few $Mil. Lottery bucket list. Buy it. Get qualled. Paint it like Viper's bird from Top Gun. Bum around off the coast down by SD, or near Nellis. See if anyone wants to dogfight for pink slips. ;)
Scooter! The guys that flew them loved 'em.
ReplyDeleteI was Air Force crew chief, '69-'73. Even I knew those were EFFECTIVE birds.
ReplyDeleteVC-1, before rainbow colors mean what they mean now. Great little aircraft..I'm old enough to have done carrier quals in one.
ReplyDeleteI was a plane captain, check crew, and troublshooter in the Tonkin Gulf, a truly reliable bird.
ReplyDeleteThe Douglas A-4 attack aircraft - Heinemann’s Hot Rod - was in production for nearly 45-years. A-4 design achievements included being the smallest nuclear capable bomber, adapted to significant engine & avionic upgrades. Israeli designers used the A-4 in developing successful use of conformal fuel tanks. Skyhawks were delivered under budget while exceeding performance requirements.
ReplyDeleteDesigner Ed Heinemann, not a college educated engineer, learned his craft “hands on” working with men like Douglas, Northrop and Hughes.
Wikipedia says that, "Conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) are additional fuel tanks." So, if those are just additional tanks, where is the main fuel located? Normally, the answer would be in the wings. But, those are very, very thin wings.
ReplyDeletePilots would sit in them on a carrier deck in the sea of Japan with a 1 mega ton nuke strapped to the belly waiting for the go signal to to take a one way trip into the user. Go naval air.
ReplyDeleteThere's a cherry A-4B for sale, when last I looked, spare engines, everything.
ReplyDeleteFew $Mil.
Lottery bucket list.
Buy it. Get qualled. Paint it like Viper's bird from Top Gun. Bum around off the coast down by SD, or near Nellis. See if anyone wants to dogfight for pink slips. ;)