ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RAN N13 McDonnell Douglas A-4G & TA-4G Skyhawk

Powered by FreeFind

 Site search
Web search
Hosted by:
Integrity Technical Solutions

Skyhawk N13-155063 (876)

Skyhawk Image Gallery
Aircraft.Serial Aircraft Type RAN Code Aircraft History
N13-154647 TA-4G 878 Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
Served with VC724 Sqn.
Crashed 28/04/80, 5 Km south of Nowra after engine failure while in landing circuit (downwind) at 1000' for Runway 26.
LEUT A. (Andy) Sinclair ejected and picked up by RAN helicopter uninjured.
RAN ejection number 10.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154647 (878)
N13-154648 TA-4G 879 Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
Crashed 16/05/74 into sea 64Km north-east of Nowra during mock attack on MELBOURNE.
LEUT Ralph McMillan killed.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154648 (879)
N13-154903 A-4G 882 First flight July 19, 1967 piloted by Douglas Aircraft test pilot Jim Stegman at Long Beach California.
Accepted July 26, 1967 in a ceremony at the Douglas plant, were it was displayed with four Sidewinders mounted under the wings.
Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
Was one of the aircraft that made up VF 805s Checkmates aerobatic team in the '70s.
With VF805 10/01/68.
With VF805 01/06/68.
With VF805 24/01/72.
With VF805 08/06/73.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 18/06/74.
With VF805 01/10/74.
With VF805 21/10/76.
Withdrawn from RAN service 30/06/83 and stored for sale.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6211,
Converted to A4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
Crashed 16/02/01, Nowra NSW.  Was practicing air show routine of barrel roll with NZ6213 while Buddy refuelling hooked up. Sqn Leader Murray Neilson was killed. NZ6213 landed safely

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154903 (882)

Fleet Air Arm Museum Skyhawk, ex-USN A-4B Bu No. 142871, was repainted to represent Skyhawk 882 in 2007.
It is currently on display in this scheme.
N13-154904 A-4G 883 First flight July 20, 1967.
Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
With VF805 10/01/68.
With VF805 01/06/68.
With VF805 01/06/72.
With VF805 08/06/73.
With VF805 21/10/76.
Was onboard HMAS Melbourne for Exercise Tasmanex '79 (17 August - 24 August 1979) in New Zealand waters.
Wore the markings of VC 724.
Remained on the Melbourne for Port visit to Wellington (8 - 11 August) before Ex. began, probably also onboard for visit to Auckland.
Onboard Melbourne for Exercise Kangaroo 3 (10 - 28 October 1979) off the Nth. Queensland coast
One of the last four A-4s flying - 30/06/83 to 30/06/84 with VC 724.
Withdrawn from RAN service 30/06/84.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6212,
Converted to A4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
2012 sold to Draken International. Lakeland, Florida USA.
1/03/2013 registered as N142EM.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154904 (883)
N13-154905 A-4G 884 First flight July 26, 1967.
Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra. With VF805 10/01/68.
With VF805 01/06/68.
With VF805 29/10/69.
With VF805 24/01/72.
With VF805 01/06/72.
With VF805 21/10/76.
Ex Tasmanex '79, VC 724 markings, launched from Melbourne August 7 and landed at RNZAF Ohakea, based out of there until August 17 when landed back on the Melbourne.
Onboard Melbourne for Ex. Kangaroo 3.
Onboard Melbourne for Ex. Sandgroper '80 (25 August - 5 September 1980) off WA coast.
One of the last four A-4s flying - 30/06/83 to 30/06/84 with VC 724.
Withdrawn from RAN service June 30, 1984.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6213
Converted to A4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history.
2012 sold to Draken International. Lakeland, Florida USA.
1/03/2013 registered as N143EM.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154905 (884)
N13-154906 A-4G 885 Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
With VF805 10/01/68.
With VF805 01/06/68.
Ex. Tasmanex '79, launched from Melbourne August 7 and landed at RNZAF Ohakea, based out of there until August 17 when landed back on the Melbourne.
Onboard Melbourne for Ex Kangaroo 3.
Ramp Strike 01/09/71 when flown by SBLT Phil Thompson on 2nd Night Carrier Landing on HMAS Melbourne.
Aircraft recovered to Nowra and landed on empty fuel tanks.
Aircraft took about a year to be rebuilt.
Had bend in Airframe from then onwards.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 18/06/74.
With VF805 21/10/76.
With VF805 07/12/76.
Crashed 21/10/80, off HMAS Melbourne 200km SW of Columbo Sri Lanka due to catapult failure and premature hold back failure. (Previous report was incorrect with 'Engine failure just after Catapult launch').
SBLT David Baddams ejected and picked up by RAN helicopter with minor injuries.
RAN ejection number 12.
 

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154906 (885)

ex-USN A-4B Bu No. 142874 was displayed as 885 at the FAA Museum Nowra
It was repainted as 882 in 2007.
N13-154907 A-4G 886 Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
With VF805 01/06/68.
With VF805 02/12/68.
With VF805 29/10/69.
With VF805 01/06/72.
With VF805 08/06/73. With VF805 21/10/76.
With VF805 07/12/76.
Ex. Tasmanex '79, launched from Melbourne August 7 and landed at RNZAF Ohakea, based out of there until August 17 when landed back on the Melbourne.
Rolled off deck of HMAS Melbourne 24/09/79, during storm 355km east of Australia when ship suddenly rolled 20 degrees to starboard.
Aircraft came free from chains when aircraft was being repositioned.
Maintenance sailor in cockpit ABATWL Eric R. Krenn suffered lacerations but managed to get clear.
Thrown lifebuoy and joined in water by diver.
Both picked up by HMAS Hobart (DDG 39).

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154907 (886)
N13-154908 A-4G 887 Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
With VF805 01/06/68.
With VF805 02/12/68.
With VF805 29/10/69.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 21/10/76.
With VF805 07/12/76.
Wheels up landing, landed on the tanks at Amberley QLD after loosing a wheel on a touch and go off HMAS Melbourne, 22/05/78.
The Pilot was SBLT Barry Evans.
Ex Tasmanex '79, remained on the Melbourne for Port visit to Wellington (8 - 11 August) before Ex. began, probably also onboard for visit to Auckland.
Onboard Melbourne for Exercise Kangaroo 3.
Onboard Melbourne for Ex. Rimpac '80 (26 February - 17 March 1980) in Hawaiian waters, buddy refueled USN T/A-4Js.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6214,
Converted to A4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
2012 sold to Draken International. Lakeland, Florida USA.
1/03/2013 registered as N144EM.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154908 (887)
N13-154909 A-4G 888 Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
With VF805 01/06/68.
With VF805 02/12/68.
Landed on HMS Hermes November 4 1968 off the NSW coast.
With VF805 29/10/69.
With VF805 01/06/72.
With VF805 08/06/73.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 18/06/74.
On 23/05/79, Crashed over side of MELBOURNE after arrestor wire broke/parted during landing 90Km east of Jervis Bay, NSW.
LCDR K. Finan, USN, ejected and rescued unhurt by the SAR Wessex & returned onboard HMAS Melbourne.
RAN Ejection number 9.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154909 (888)
N13-154910 A-4G 889 Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
With VF805 01/06/68.
With VF805 02/12/68.
With VF805 01/06/72.
With VF805 08/06/73.
Crashed 08/11/73, Catapult failure while launching from MELBOURNE during multinational exercise near Singapore.
SBLT Barry Evans remained in the aircraft while the ship passed overhead and freed himself underwater.
Picked up by helicopter.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154910 (889)
N13-154911 TA-4G 880 First flight July 21, 1967 piloted by Douglas Aircraft test pilot Jim Stegman at Long Beach California.
Accepted July 26, 1967 in a ceremony at the Douglas plant.
Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
With VF805 10/01/68.
Displayed at QANTAS open day 1982.
One of the last four A-4s flying - 30/06/83 to 30/06/84 with VC 724.
Withdrawn from RAN service 30/06/84.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6255,
Converted to TA4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
Donated by RNZAF to RAN Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra.
Transported from New Zealand by RAAF C-17A A41-206 arriving at Nowra 23/04/2012
Repainted in RAN 724 Squadron colours and returned to (visually) TA-4G spec and currently on display.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154911 (880)
N13-154912 TA-4G 881 First flight August 16, 1967.
Delivered to RAN 11/67.
Unloaded from HMAS Melbourne onto Navy barge in Jervis Bay 23/11/67 then by road to Nowra.
With VF805 10/01/68.
One of the last four A-4s flying - 30/06/83 to 30/06/84 with VC 724.
Withdrawn from RAN service 30/06/84.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6256,
Converted to TA4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu.
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
Crashed into sea off Perth WA 20/03/01 after departing controlled flight during a tight turn and entered a spin,
The pilot (Flight Lieutenant Phillip Barnes, 25, of Rotorua) ejected and was in a life raft for an hour before being rescued by an RAAF SAR Helicopter.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-154912 (881)
N13-155051 A-4G 870 Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
Was one of the aircraft that made up VF 805s Checkmates aerobatic team in the '70s.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 18/06/74.
With VF805 01/10/74.
17/7/75, collided with '872' recovered to Nowra with Hydraulics failure.
The hook took the arrestor gear and the nose gear collapsed.
With VF805 21/10/76.
With VF805 07/12/76.
On board HMAS Melbourne, 'Spithead Deployment' 28/04/77 to 04/10/77 with VF805.
Greenham Common Air Tattoo, Berkshire UK, 26/26 June '77 static display.
Exercise 'Highwood' 5-20 July '77, North Sea.
Flew at the Nowra Air Day December '77 as part of a four ship display (standard VF 805 markings).
Onboard Melbourne Ex. Rimpac '78 (April 1978).
Crashed 23/01/79, due to turbine failure/engine fire 24Km south-east of Braidwood, NSW.
SBLT C. Tomlinson ejected and picked up by RAAF helicopter. RAN Ejection number 8.
The Engine was picked up by Wessex N7-200 on a 150 foot strap and return to Nowra.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-155051 (870)
N13-155052 A-4G 871 First flight June 26, 1967 (as A-4F).
Served in Vietnam on USS Ranger with VA-155 26/10/68 - 17/05/69,
On USS Hancock with VA-212 02/08/69 - 15/04/70.
To NARF for conversion to A-4G on 31 July 1970.
Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
Was one of the aircraft that made up VF 805s Checkmates aerobatic team in the '70s.
With VF805 24/01/72.
With VF805 08/06/73.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 18/06/74.
With VF805 01/10/74.
With VF805 21/10/76.
With VF805 07/12/76.
On board HMAS Melbourne, 'Spithead Deployment' 28/04/77 to 04/10/77 with VF805.
Greenham Common Air Tattoo, Berkshire UK, 25/26 June '77 flying display by Lt. Dave J. Ramsay.
Exercise 'Highwood' 5-20 July '77, North Sea.
Exercise 'Shop Window' 4 October '77, Tasman Sea.
Tanker aircraft for buddy refueling demonstration.
Onboard Melbourne for Exercise Kangaroo 3.
Displayed at QANTAS open day 1982.
Withdrawn from RAN service 30/06/83 and stored for sale.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6215,
Converted to A4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
2012 sold to Draken International. Lakeland, Florida USA.
1/03/2013 registered as N145EM.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-155052 (871)
N13-155055 A-4G 872 Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
Was one of the aircraft that made up VF 805s Checkmates aerobatic team in the '70s.
With VF805 08/06/73.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 18/06/74.
With VF805 01/10/74.
17/07/75 872 was part of a 4-ship flight conducting bombing practice at the Beecroft Head Firing Range, NSW
872 pulled up off the range and collided with the underside of 870, SBLT Malcolm McCoy the pilot of 872 was killed.
870 landed into NAS NOWRA arrestor gear after hydraulics failure and nose-wheel collapse., LCDR Grahame S.'Dusty' King (CO VF805) was unhurt.
 

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-155055 (872)
N13-155060 A-4G 873 Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
With VF805 01/06/72.
Crashed 05/06/73, 20 nm east of RAAF Williamtown NSW after Turbine shroud failure,
SBLT Tony Der Kinderen ejected over water and was recovered by RAAF helicopter.
RAN Ejection number 7.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-155060 (873)
N13-155061 A-4G 874 First flight 31/07/67 (as A-4F).
Served in Vietnam on USS Ranger with VA-155 26/10/68 - 17/05/69,
On USS Hancock with VA-212 02/08/69 - 15/04/70.
During deployment in Vietnam a HE round exploded 1m from the end of the cannon damaging the RH side node area.
Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
With VF805 01/06/72.
With VF805 08/06/73.
With VF805 01/10/74.
With VF805 21/10/76.
On board HMAS Melbourne, 'Spithead Deployment' 28/04/77 to 04/10/77 with VF805.
Greenham Common Air Tatoo, Berkshire UK, 25/26 June '77 static display.
Exercise 'Highwood' 5-20 July '77, North Sea.
Flew at the Nowra Air Day December '77 as part of a four ship display (standard VF 805 markings).
Withdrawn from RAN service 30/06/83 and stored for sale.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6216,
Converted to A4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
To Omaka Museum, NZ.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-155061 (874)
N13-155062 A-4G 875 Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 01/10/74.
With VF805 21/10/76.
With VF805 07/12/76.
On board HMAS Melbourne, 'Spithead Deployment' 28/04/77 to 04/10/77 with VF805.
Exercise 'Highwood' 5-20 July '77, North Sea.
Flew at the Nowra Air Day December '77 as part of a four ship display (standard VF805 markings).
Onboard Melbourne Ex. Rimpac '78 (April ? 1978).
Crashed 02/10/80, HMAS MELBOURNE, Andaman Sea, 35 nm north of Sumatra, Indonesia Engine failure immediately following catapult launch.
Pilot, LCDR Clive Blennerhasset ejected at low level with only minor injuries.
RAN Ejection number 11.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-155062 (875)
N13-155063 A-4G 876 Served in Vietnam on USS Ranger with VA-155 26/10/68 - 17/05/69,
On USS Hancock with VA-212 02/08/69 - 15/04/70.
Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 21/10/76.
On board HMAS Melbourne, 'Spithead Deployment' 28/04/77 to 04/10/77 with VF805.
Exercise 'Highwood' 5-20 July '77, North Sea.
Ex. Tasmanex '79, launched from Melbourne August 7 and landed at RNZAF Ohakea, based out of there until August 17 when landed back on the Melbourne.
Onboard Melbourne for Ex. Kangaroo 3.
Onboard Melbourne for Ex. Sandgroper '80 (25 August - 5 September 1980) off WA coast.
Withdrawn from RAN service 30/06/83 and stored for sale.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6217,
Converted to A4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
2012 sold to Draken International. Lakeland, Florida USA.
1/03/2013 registered as N146EM.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-155063 (876)
N13-155069 A-4G 877 Last A-4F built.
First flight 29/06/67 (as A-4F).
Served in Vietnam on USS Ranger with VA-155 26/10/68 - 17/05/69,
On USS Hancock with VA-212 02/08/69 - 15/04/70.
Severely damaged in a wire strike 02/07/69 with USN.
Fuselage was bent and never fully repaired.
Before transfer to RAN the aircraft had 712.5 flight hours logged.
Delivered to RAN 08/71.
Unloaded from HMAS Sydney onto RAN Lighter AWL 304 at Jervis Bay 11/08/71 then by road transport to Nowra.
With VF805 24/01/72.
With VF805 01/06/72.
With VF805 13/05/74.
With VF805 18/06/74.
With VF805 01/10/74.
With VF805 21/10/76.
With VF805 07/12/76.
On board HMAS Melbourne, 'Spithead Deployment' 28/04/77 to 04/10/77 with VF805.
Exercise 'Highwood' 5-20 July '77, North Sea.
Exercise 'Shop Window' 4/10/77 Tasman Sea, receiver aircraft for buddy refueling demonstration.
Onboard Melbourne Ex. Rimpac '78 (April 1978).
Ex. Tasmanex '79, launched from Melbourne August 7 and landed at RNZAF Ohakea, based out of there until August 17 when landed back on the Melbourne.
Onboard Melbourne for Ex. Sandgroper '80 (25 August - 5 September 1980) off WA coast.
One of three Skyhawks at RAAF Diamond Jubilee Air show, Amberley 1981, used as ground attack aircraft in the 'Battle for Amberley'.
Withdrawn from RAN service 30/06/83 and stored for sale.
To RNZAF 07/84 as NZ6218,
Converted to A4-K specification. Later upgraded under Project Kahu
See New Zealand Skyhawk page for RNZAF service history
2012 sold to Draken International. Lakeland, Florida USA.
1/03/2013 registered as N147EM.

Highlight for Album: Skyhawk N13-155069 (877)

ex-USN Skyhawk displayed at the FAA Museum Nowra
Aircraft
Bu.Number		 Aircraft
Type		 Aircraft History
142874 A-4B Built as A4D-2 later redesignated A-4B,
To MASDC as 3A0231 28/04/70

Donated to FAA Museum

The aircraft that was initially displayed as N13-154906 (885) 
It was repainted in 2007 as N13-154903 (882)

Highlight for Album: ex-USN A-4B Bu No. 142874

RAN Aircraft articles by Phil Thompson.

 

The Authors of this page are Dave Masterson (Previously is Darren Crick), Updated by Martin Edwards and Brendan Cowan.

Source: Australian Aviation Magazine, Skyhawk.com, Evan Burton's Skyhawk Website, VF805 Sqn Diary, Kiwi Aircraft Images Website.

Emails: Phil Thompson, Richard Siudak, Greg Hyde, John Bartels, CMDR John Crawley, Grahame Higgs, David Baddams, Terry Walsh, Bill Ansell, Graham Mison, Bob Geale, Brendan Cowan, Max Formann.

Updated 11th December 2015
     

It is our policy to only show historical events, no current operational information will be displayed on this website.
 "The ADF-Serials team give permission to use the content of this page, excluding images, providing that it contains an acknowledgement to the adf-serials team and any other listed sources."