Registration / Serial:158104
Military Code:A-704
Other Marks:04
Aircraft Original Type:Douglas A4D Skyhawk
Aircraft Generic Type:McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
Aircraft Version:McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
C/n (msn):14141
Operator Titles:USA - Navy
Unit Markings:VT-7 / CTW-1
City / Area:Gulf of Mexico / Off-Pensacola [ Off-Airport ]Map (vicinity)
Region / Country:Florida, United States
Ship / Rig:USS Lexington AVT16
Photo Date:10 May 1979
Photo by:Bob ThomasContact
Photo ID:453450Submit Correction
View count: 272
The A-4 did not have nose gear steering, the pilot using differential braking to make turns. That was fine for taxiing around airfields, but in the confined areas aboard ship it was an issue. As a result, a steering bar or tiller was used by a flight deck crewman to precisely maneuver the a/c. This was especially important for lining the jet up on the catapult. Here we see the crewman and a/c headed to the starboard catapult aboard USS Lexington.
Registration / Serial:158104
Aircraft Version:McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
C/n (msn):14141
Operator Titles:USA - Navy
City / Area:Gulf of Mexico / Off-Pensacola [ Off-Airport ]Map (vicinity)
Region / Country:Florida, United States
Photo Date:10 May 1979
Photo by:Bob ThomasContact
Registration / Serial:158104
Military Code:A-704
Other Marks:04
Aircraft Original Type:Douglas A4D Skyhawk
Aircraft Generic Type:McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
Aircraft Version:McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
C/n (msn):14141
Operator Titles:USA - Navy
Unit Markings:VT-7 / CTW-1
City / Area:Gulf of Mexico / Off-Pensacola [ Off-Airport ]Map (vicinity)
Region / Country:Florida, United States
Ship / Rig:USS Lexington AVT16
Photo Date:10 May 1979
Photo by:Bob ThomasContact
Photo ID:453450Submit Correction
View count: 272
The A-4 did not have nose gear steering, the pilot using differential braking to make turns. That was fine for taxiing around airfields, but in the confined areas aboard ship it was an issue. As a result, a steering bar or tiller was used by a flight deck crewman to precisely maneuver the a/c. This was especially important for lining the jet up on the catapult. Here we see the crewman and a/c headed to the starboard catapult aboard USS Lexington.
Registration / Serial:158104
Aircraft Version:McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
C/n (msn):14141
Operator Titles:USA - Navy
City / Area:Gulf of Mexico / Off-Pensacola [ Off-Airport ]Map (vicinity)
Region / Country:Florida, United States
Photo Date:10 May 1979
Photo by:Bob ThomasContact