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.

Slide taken aboard USS Lexington during TA-4J carrier qualifications for VT-7 Student Naval Aviators. This TA-4J is clearing the landing area (note speed brakes still open). A successful qualification is six arrested landings and six catapult shots. After the last catapult, each pilot will hold overhead the ship and when the last of the flight joins up they will return to NAS Pensacola. As they leave another flight of 3 or 4 TA-4Js will be arriving to begin their qualifications.

This VT-7 TA-4J is awaiting being positioned on the USS Lexington's starboard catapult. Student Naval Aviators were required to perform two touch an go and six arrested landings in order to carrier qualify with the TA-4J. All carrier qualification flights were solo, with no instructor in the aircraft. This was near the end of the advanced jet syllabus. This a/c was lost near NAS Meridian, Mississippi on 8 June 1986 due to engine failure. Both crew ejected safely.

This TA-4J is now on display at Veterans Park in Brasher Falls, New York.

Ca.1971: TOS USN. By 1973: Training Squadron 4 (VT-4), NAS Pensacola, FL. 12/86: VT-7, NAS Meridian, MS. 9/99: Naval Aviation Museum.

Ca.1971: TOS USN. By 1973: Training Squadron 4 (VT-4), NAS Pensacola, FL. 12/86: VT-7, NAS Meridian, MS. 9/99: Naval Aviation Museum.

Ca.1965: TOS USN as TA-4F, it began service with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 (VMAT-203), MCAS Cherry Point, NC. 1/72: Converted to TA-4J. By 8/82: Training Squadron 25 (VT-25), NAS Chase Field, TX. 31 Aug 1992: VT-7, NAS Meridian, MS. Ca.10/96: SOC.

Ca.1965: TOS USN as TA-4F and assigned VMT-103, MCAS Yuma, AZ. 4/71: Converted to TA-4J. By 10/82: VF-126, NAS Miramar, CA. By 11/88: VT-86, NAS Pensacola, FL. 9/91: TW-3, NAS Chase Field, FL. 9/92: VT-7, NAS Meridian, MS. 1995: Loaned to Sabreliner Corporation, and used in Sabreliner's A-4 and T-2 refit operations. 2006: Sabreliner ferried the plane to Cape Girareau Municipal Airport, Scott City, MO, for permanent display.

USS Lexington

Training mission complete, this TA-4J is headed back to the CNATRA line

VT-7/CTW-1. To AMARC as 3A0858 September 9, 1999. Struck off charge September 18, 2003.

TA-4J Skyhawk previously operated by VT-7 training squadron, CTW-1. Displayed in the out door section of the NMNA at Pensacola NAS.