Vintage A-4 damaged on landing (KIWA)
09-18-2015, 01:48 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
Isn't the extended pipe called the P-408? ("Big Engine?").
Assumption on my part; as far as I know, ATSI is based at Willy (I applied to them in 2002 when getting furloughed).
Assumption on my part; as far as I know, ATSI is based at Willy (I applied to them in 2002 when getting furloughed).
I don't know if the -408 was called the "Big Engine", but I do believe that this model was used on the last of the USMC A-4M 'Super Mikes'.
Wiki: J52-P-408
Flown in: A-4M/N, TA-4KU, EA-6B. This variant included variable inlet guide vanes (VIGV) in the LPC, air-cooled turbine blades, and produced 11,200 lbf (50,000 N) of thrust.[6] Still in operation with Israel, Argentina, Brazil, and Indonesia
A-4M Skyhawk II
Dedicated Marine version with improved avionics and more powerful J52-P-408a engine with 11,200 lbf (50 kN) thrust, enlarged cockpit, IFF system. Later fitted with Hughes AN/ASB-19 Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) with TV and laser spot tracker, 158 built.
Dedicated Marine version with improved avionics and more powerful J52-P-408a engine with 11,200 lbf (50 kN) thrust, enlarged cockpit, IFF system. Later fitted with Hughes AN/ASB-19 Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) with TV and laser spot tracker, 158 built.
09-18-2015, 04:21 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer
I flew a Lear with a retired Navy/Delta guy that called the 408 "The Big Motor." Said the difference was striking.
The -4L I recently flew was underpowered for a Skyhawk with the J-65.
09-19-2015, 01:22 PM
#14
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There is a little confusion in the thread. The A4M came from the factory with the P408 engine and a JFS starter. They had a lot of power but were heavy with added combat gear and ECM. They had drag chutes and a bigger but also higher drag canopy.
After the A4M came out a number of older A4F's were retrofitted with the P408. These were almost always called Super Foxes. They were lighter with less drag. The Navy took a number of the Super Foxes and used them to replace older A4E's in adversary squadrons. These aircraft were stripped of all the ECM gear, guns, armor plate and had the humps removed. The Mikes weighed around 12,500lbs and had the added drag from the canopy and hump. The Superfoxes weighed about 10,300 lbs. They were amazingly fun aircraft to fly and easily held their own 1v1 with Cat4 fighters.
The stripped Superfox is also the version the Blues flew where they would do a dirty loop from takeoff. With a light fuel load you were 1 to 1 thrust to weight without a afterburner.
After the A4M came out a number of older A4F's were retrofitted with the P408. These were almost always called Super Foxes. They were lighter with less drag. The Navy took a number of the Super Foxes and used them to replace older A4E's in adversary squadrons. These aircraft were stripped of all the ECM gear, guns, armor plate and had the humps removed. The Mikes weighed around 12,500lbs and had the added drag from the canopy and hump. The Superfoxes weighed about 10,300 lbs. They were amazingly fun aircraft to fly and easily held their own 1v1 with Cat4 fighters.
The stripped Superfox is also the version the Blues flew where they would do a dirty loop from takeoff. With a light fuel load you were 1 to 1 thrust to weight without a afterburner.
09-19-2015, 03:10 PM
#15
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Originally Posted by sailingfun
There is a little confusion in the thread. The A4M came from the factory with the P408 engine and a JFS starter. They had a lot of power but were heavy with added combat gear and ECM. They had drag chutes and a bigger but also higher drag canopy.
After the A4M came out a number of older A4F's were retrofitted with the P408. These were almost always called Super Foxes. They were lighter with less drag. The Navy took a number of the Super Foxes and used them to replace older A4E's in adversary squadrons. These aircraft were stripped of all the ECM gear, guns, armor plate and had the humps removed. The Mikes weighed around 12,500lbs and had the added drag from the canopy and hump. The Superfoxes weighed about 10,300 lbs. They were amazingly fun aircraft to fly and easily held their own 1v1 with Cat4 fighters.
The stripped Superfox is also the version the Blues flew where they would do a dirty loop from takeoff. With a light fuel load you were 1 to 1 thrust to weight without a afterburner.
After the A4M came out a number of older A4F's were retrofitted with the P408. These were almost always called Super Foxes. They were lighter with less drag. The Navy took a number of the Super Foxes and used them to replace older A4E's in adversary squadrons. These aircraft were stripped of all the ECM gear, guns, armor plate and had the humps removed. The Mikes weighed around 12,500lbs and had the added drag from the canopy and hump. The Superfoxes weighed about 10,300 lbs. They were amazingly fun aircraft to fly and easily held their own 1v1 with Cat4 fighters.
The stripped Superfox is also the version the Blues flew where they would do a dirty loop from takeoff. With a light fuel load you were 1 to 1 thrust to weight without a afterburner.
The only issue with it was gusty crosswind landing an a wet or slippery runway.
09-22-2015, 02:00 PM
#16
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Sad to see happen.
A memory: 1966 was the first time I saw an A-4 (C model) up close; it was a rainy morning and she was chained down to the deck of the Bon Homme in port at North Island. I got a chance to slide my hand along the topside of her port drop tank and watched the water spray out in front of me. Funny how that left a lifelong impression on a dumb punk kid. She was headed out for WestPac/Vietnam.
A memory: 1966 was the first time I saw an A-4 (C model) up close; it was a rainy morning and she was chained down to the deck of the Bon Homme in port at North Island. I got a chance to slide my hand along the topside of her port drop tank and watched the water spray out in front of me. Funny how that left a lifelong impression on a dumb punk kid. She was headed out for WestPac/Vietnam.
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