The A-4D2N (A-4C) on display was built in El Segundo CA in 1959. It was delivered to the US Navy at Patuxent Naval Air Station in Maryland and was flight tested there on November 11, 1959. It remained at Pax River until March 22, 1961 when it was transferred to NAS Norfolk Virginia.
AVM volunteers spent countless hours disassembling the aircraft at Dalgren VA. It was then loaded on two trucks and shipped to the Museum. The aircraft was in poor condition and our volunteers spent over 5000 hours refurbishing and painting the aircraft.

The McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was originally designed to provide the US Navy and Marine Corps with a simple, low cost, lightweight attack aircraft. The first prototype flew in June 1954. Later versions included a two-seat design for training and for sale to Singapore. Advanced versions were sold to Israel, Argentina and New Zealand.

Photo Credit: John Gourley