A-4 Skyhawk The Drivers

[@SueSalk]

My Dad, Maj. M.W. Maddocks, USMC fighter pilot, has a plaque recognizing 500 hours piloting the A-4 D Skyhawk. Love this video!

[@altrausch5775]

Great Americans, great aviators, great jet. Great video, thanks Erik!

[@SkyhawkSteve]

Great stories from the pilots! I spent 4 years in the Corps doing avionics work on A-4Ms and TA-4's, and derived a great satisfaction from seeing "my" birds flying. We were even happier when they came back! :-) Thanks to everyone who flew their aircraft into range of hostile forces at the risk to their life.

[@markdanielson9407]

Thanks to you and the other techs, these planes kept returning to the sky.

[@MZKOPhoto]

Me too!! VMA 311 1983-1986. Avi shop. El Toro, Ca Semper Fi!

[@daviddallas4607]

Thank you so much Eric for such a great video. I was a jet engine mechanic (ADJ) in VT-22 from 1970 to 1972 and had my OMAS card for the back seat. I flew many hours with my division officer (Lt. Skip Carter) and especially loved the J hops. Your video took me back to the most memorable days of my life. Thank you very much.

[@Squib1911]

Good video. I like hearing the stories from the Vietnam vets. Bravery and ingenuity. True American hereos.

[@stubryant6673]

THIS is what a quality video looks like!

[@tooManywaystoFall]

God bless all the military aviators, regardless of branch, all a cut above, all answered the call to serve. Many memories in Hawaii as a Marine EOD technician - our shop 400' from midfield/21 arresting gear at Kbay - standing on the loading dock watching F-4's, A-4's practicing arrested landings, always on standby for a hung ordnance call or hung chaff/flares - I miss the those days - never regretted serving - the good and the bad. Thank you Erik for this video and all the others - we're blessed to have you bringing us this fine video content...

[@AWallgren]

Man, what an awesome video. These guys are living pieces of Americana, a representation of American grit. That retired Navy Captain, what a character and consummate professional. Thanks for putting this together and keeping legacies alive.

[@gopherbar]

Excellent video as a veteran myself it’s so good to hear these guys stories

[@hulado]

we have a great heritage. and the future is looking brighter. america is the A Team for the planet.

[@robadams9523]

Love listening to these outstanding men talk about their adventures serving our country. God bless all of them. And what a magnificent job compiling these interviews. Bravo!

[@nicolasgarcia248]

Risking your life, taking some Lifes....adventure is not the word

[@greatgandalf5233]

My Dad was the Marine's first Naval Flight Officer and stood up the Royal Marines Night fighters. My Dad had four log books velcroed together, his books was full of Red Hours(combat) from F7F to F4B, my brother and I joined the USMC after his death in Vietnam. My brother went Infantry and I went Aviation. My eyes were a little off so I became an NFO too. I went into A6E, I am sorry, but the A6E was a much better plane and could get more bombs on target on time than any of the other jets. Most the other jets were VFR scooters and we had to usually lead into the target and bring them under the overcast. I was leading a Divion, 4 plane, 2 A6E and 2 A4s, we had mountains on either side and unfortunately we couldn't get them to follow us down through the goo. The A4 scooters were good little VFR attack plane. I enjoyed flying the TA4J around Pensacola, and learned how to land the A4, and A6 from the right seat, my pilot would had the rudder and nose steering. Some of the best pilots I knew were the A6 Drivers, they almost all were past their EGOs and focused on bombs on target on time. Anyway good video, thanks.SF

[@raymondlewis2055]

We were VFR Scooter Drivers and proud of it. We flew our missions and often dropped at 100 feet AGL leveling from a 10 degree dive. We could see the target we were hitting. If you ask any ground or airborne FAC which pilots hit the Close Air Support targets with the best accuracy, they will tell you that us A-4 drivers were the best. Even the Air Force airborne FAC's would request A-4's. The A6 was good for night time and IFR flying, but not such a great CAS aircraft. I was also a ground FAC with the 2nd Bat 7th Marines for about 4 months and I saw first hand who was the best. The A4 drivers were on target and used even with Danger Close. The B-52's dropped a whole lot more bombs than y'all did and it was also "on time". When the grunts on the ground were in trouble, they asked for A-4 Scooters. We did TPQ bombing when the weather was bad, not fly wing on an A-6. When were you in Nam and what squadron were you with? I flew A4E's with VMA-311 Tomcats. If you were the BNO, I do not see how you were leading a flight division. Never saw a "stick" on the BNO side of the cockpit. If you are flying correctly in a jet, you should not need the rudder. I will have to ask a pilot friend of mine LtCol Kenneth Bradley about letting the BNO land the A-6. He flew CH-46's in Nam, was shot down, and later switched to A-6s because they were the easiest to fly. He said they flew themselves, you were just went along for the ride.

[@Skyhawks1979]

@@raymondlewis2055 A-6E...a perfectly good waste of two A-4 engines (J-52P408)

[@thetreblerebel]

Good stuff. Glad its preserved for future generations

[@gunnyj23]

Worked on these little beasts. Good portion of 21 years. Also got to sit in the back on TA4's and OA4M'S for several flights.

[@markdanielson9407]

Thank you for your service! Nothing moves without good mechanics.

[@marcbennet3932]

Great video. Thanks for putting in the time. Well worth it!!!

[@55Reever]

My favorite aircraft of all time. I got to sit in an A-4E when I was about nine years old at NAS Lemoore and even for a nine year old it seemed very tight in the cockpit. Years later in the bay area a museum had an A-4 cockpit simulator and I got to sit in that and I remembered correctly, it was very small.

[@chrisnedbalek2866]

These are great men, true warriors. I want to think there are young people in our country today that could step up if necessary.

[@steved2623]

Fantastic video, fantastic plane. Brave and talented pilots...

[@raymondlewis2055]

Flew 200 combat missions in Vietnam with Marine Attack Squadron 311 in the A-4E Skyhawk. It is/was a wonderful, tough and fun aircraft to fly. You flew the aircraft, not a computer. Like a Timex, it could take a likin and keep on tickin.

[@R281]

Thank you for your service

[@markdanielson9407]

Exactly!

[@Shankmeyster]

My father was XO and then CO of MAG 42 Det A in the 80s flying the A-4. I remember all the times he took me to the different fields and even let me fly one of the sims without motion on one time. Perks of being a Colonel's kid I guess.

[@Skyhawks1979]

I was in VMA-142 from 1980-1984. Pat Blackman?

[@ethanbrown1235]

Than you for producing such amazing and interesting content. It is very much appreciated. I can only imagine the hours of work it takes to produce such a video. I decided to watch it again since the re-upload haha. Thank you.

[@MrLikeke]

Eric, this is excellent. I think your best yet. Jack's 0/0 night carrier trap, in theater...WOW! All these men spoke very well. Thank you very much.

[@chrisnedbalek2866]

"If you were going to die, you were going to die but you sure didn't want to sound bad when you did it." 17:10. God bless these brave men.

[@davistalhone9482]

True heroes here and a timeless plane.

[@dirtydave2691]

Absolute professionals each one. Great video and great stories. I grew up near MCAS El Toro and remember the A-4's A-6's and F-4's there.

[@BlackAnvil47]

Was on the USS San Jose AFS 7 when the USS Ranger caught fire 🔥in 1983, was a badass ship with F-14's and A-6's...awesome

[@markdanielson9407]

Thank you for your service, sir.

[@fly4fun610]

I always wondered what the hump was about on the back of the A4. Good explanation that it was added to house electronic countermeasures. Very nicely done video.

[@anttitheinternetguy3213]

To my knowledge it was a General place to house type specific avionics and such equipments. Electronic cpuntermeasures,more sophisticated weapon systems, whatnot 🤔 havent watches the video yet So maybe they really do have the definate answer

[@davekisor1486]

It housed the ALQ-100.

[@ericsd55]

Nice work! It's good to catch these stories.

[@IslamicRageBoy]

Wonderful video

[@jewelbennett5446]

There are original OG top gun 😝 thank you for your stories salute to you

[@steveshoemaker6347]

l might have been on the ground down there some where...? O,Thanks so very much...Takes me back to those days....!

[@philliplopez8745]

A most beautiful wing form when viewed from below .

[@rafaeltorres2886]

Wow you guys proud and very competitive pilots more than just get it done.

[@Power5]

Had no idea they could land on the tanks. How did those not rip off on a wheels up landing? Loved all the stories from all the vets, but drinking game is to take a drink every time Mike Richardson, guy in front of tan camo A4 says "basically". But then he completely redeems himself at the end by thanking his country for getting the chance to fly as a marine. Only a marine would thank us for letting him fly. Absolutely backwards. Honored to have had him fly for us and huge thank you to him for his service.

[@markdanielson9407]

The training command flew with two drop tanks for two reasons -- in case of emergency, and also in case the student forgot the gear. Many landings were made on drop tanks, but I never heard of one where the tanks departed. If a tank can stay on doing 400 plus knots at low level after a carrier takeoff, they aren't going to come off on landing. The plus side -- no braking required. :)

[@dennisbaecht7860]

I never saw a tank come off. When one landed the tanks, you could realistically have it ready to fly again in a couple of hours. Get it on jacks, change the tanks, replace the nose, drop check it and go. 9 times out of ten the reason the gear wouldn't drop was the brake line would hang up, usually after a brake replacement.

[@Skyhawks1979]

The weight and balance of the aircraft when low on fuel was such that the tanks formed a perfect skid plate and the nose would never touch the ground.

[@dennisbaecht7860]

@@Skyhawks1979, The nose usually touched the runway, not much but enough to require replacement. The plane would tip forward just enough from the friction between the tank and runway.

[@markkilleneverythingaviati1098]

Fantastic video. Really enjoyed watching. Thank. You

[@scottminshall6420]

Excellent video!

[@HEATER_]

Thanks to the Vets! Awesome video!!

[@sherylwalker5904]

Total RESPECT for these guys and all Veterans Johnny mac New Zealand......

[@KowboyUSA]

Outstanding!

[@viperdriver82]

@47:30 my sentiments exactly ............now how can I get into that TA-4 ???

[@SmokeFlame1]

Excellent.

[@roderickval]

Loved it!

[@pronounceword]

I like your video very much. It's really great. I'll keep an eye on your channel. I am your fan and I will support you.

[@lerch122]

well put togeather video ,great pilots

[@syamsudinsyamsudin1813]

Greeting from Indonesia When I was teenage, very excited when our air force (TNI-AU) flew this aircraft Still imagine it

[@aorakiboydog]

What great humble guys, we in New Zealand had A-4 ‘s was a sad day when they were disbanded , awesome video.

[@BatGuano-CA]

I've read many stories from NZ A-4 pilots and I could hear the sorrow in their voices when they lost "The Scooter". I've read stories about a few A-4s covered with dust and bird shit still sitting forgotten in hangars. Find 'em and let them fly again over the skies of New Zealand.

[@aorakiboydog]

Yes so right

[@tomdavison9107]

I was in H&MS 32 from 68 to 70 working as an aircraft electrician on the TA4f.

[@markdanielson9407]

Nothing gets done without good technicians!

[@Skyhawks1979]

By the time I got there in 1979 we were flying OA-4M's. It was basically a TA-4F with some, but not all of the A-4M Avionics. Mostly the upgraded ARC-159 radios and ARN-118 TACAN. (I'm surprised I recall those numbers. LOL)

[@EnterpriseXI]

The A-4 reminds me of the USS Defiant of Star Trek. Small, versatile and tough. Commander Riker "Tough little ship."

[@Air-Striegler]

So glad I found this channel: Subbed!

[@cecilpotter1229]

Outstanding

[@JustPlaneSilly]

Damn Thats Pretty!

[@AKATEATime]

Excellent video Erik. 👍

[@ethanbrown1235]

already watched it three times...

[@trottyong]

I love that pilot in the blue shirt. Id love to spend afternoon w him hearing more.(ETA, the guy inside the museum....tho the guy outside is cool too)

[@mrrolandlawrence]

so cool to see their stories. i know all these places as i live in da nang now!

[@Sshooter444]

Saw one flying over Nellis a few months ago

[@ianmangham4570]

AWESOME

[@randall1959]

I was attached to VF43 at Oceana. We had one A4 that was brought back with a bomb stuck in a wing.

[@boboala1]

They should modify & rerelease the A-4 as an affordable build type with low cost per hour operation, tough, semi-stealthy and call it the 'Super Quattro'!

[@markdanielson9407]

I'm very partial to the A-4 and agree that more quantity is often better than more expense. Think about ridding an ant's nest. You can get some, but some will get you. That concept was experimentally applied to the F-5 making it the F-20 with a bigger engine, but there wasn't enough interest to make it happen. There was an attempt to resurrect the A-7 by putting an afterburning engine on it. I watched it fly and wasn't impressed. Neither was anyone else, so it died a quick death. Our role in the adversary business was to teach respect for the opponent. A well-flown A-4 can still defeat any poorly flown advanced aircraft. That's the whole purpose behind TOPGUN.

[@lordleroyyoung]

the Scooter, loved that bird

[@12345fowler]

Not immediately evident but it has a delta wing, same in general shape as the sucessful Mig21, Mirage III etc. from the same era. It was the way to go then for small and very effective fighters

[@pegasus3309]

I love this video and background music, Can you tell me the title of the music, thanks!

[@Francom1984]

👏👏👏👏

[@IslamicRageBoy]

God is with us

[@AviationPlus]

Why the reupload?

[@PeterWolfe2012]

Confused me, too. "Not available"?! Criminy, did KZbin delete it already? Oh, wait, it says "deleted by owner" . . . well, maybe . . . .

[@ErikJohnston]

Aviation Plus Yeah sorry about that, a viewer informed me I had an editing correction . I fixed it and got it back up as fast as I could.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

It cost more to train these guys with multi million dollar airplanes. Their training and combat experience from talking are far more bad ass than me. Especially the one guy who skydived in college. Paratroopers are cheap to train to jump out of airplanes during training. As Airborne Infantrymen combat is very different. Too bad I was too dumb and wore glasses to be a pilot. I was good enough to be a Paratrooper. I thank these guys for what they do. They all had dangers too and different environment.

[@markdanielson9407]

I've never seen a reason to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but honor and respect those that do and did, particularly with the upcoming 75th anniversary of the Operation Overlord. Salute!

[@reddevilparatrooper]

@@markdanielson9407 = Just massive respect to all pilots because a person has to be really intelligent, mentally, and physically fit. Flying an airplane is also very dangerous and demanding on the pilots body and mind. Navy pilots are much more daring trying to land their plane on a carrier either day or especially at night has got to be terrifying. One guy in my platoon who jumps for the Commemorative Air Force Airborne Demonstration Team whom I jumped with last year has a private pilots license. He flies single engine prop planes. He enjoys doing maneuver flying. Too bad I don't have the funds and my own parachute to jump the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.

[@MrLikeke]

@@markdanielson9407 God has blessed you richly, sir.

[@markdanielson9407]

@@reddevilparatrooper Thank you, sir. Wish you could jump in the D-Day commemoration. I'm sure it's every paratrooper's dream to be part of that, but by virtue of the fact you wear their wings, you are already sharing in the experience.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

@@markdanielson9407 Yes. I wish I could jump for that occasion. Being a military pilot makes you guys more elite than us Airborne Infantrymen. I just speak for myself. I just enjoyed the fact of jumping out of a Douglas C-47 built in Long Beach CA in 1940 for the Navy last year at Lancaster TX. It brought excitement that it was my first jump since 1990. I could never trade that for anything in my life. I do thank you for your time in service to our nation that we have trained and fought for.

[@therealmp40]

They gave the Royal Navy a bad time at the Falklands too

[@pablomoyano5176]

Muy mal momento

[@ianmangham4570]

AWESOME He's a

[@thetreblerebel]

386 carrier landings...talk a out a salty dog!

[@thinzki44]

Fighter bomber

[@Leo-ft4gy]

If you want to know how to fly an A4 Skyhawk go with Argentinian Pilots.

[@Bunjamin27]

$$$$$

[@williamvolkmann8658]

good filler

[@shootingstar9991]

These men had GUTS not like the imposter of a president we are saddled with I'm just saying

[@MrLikeke]

You certainly may speak your mind yet I wonder why you feel compelled to tarnish this outstanding video. I respectfully request you delete your comment.

[@shootingstar9991]

I'm sorry if the truth hurts .I respectfully suggest that you melt snow flake

[@mannypuerta5086]

Bennie Harris Ahhh...there it is. The self-defining insult.

[@chrisnedbalek2866]

Bennie Harris: This isn't a video on politics. You didn't have to say anything.

[@shootingstar9991]

@@chrisnedbalek2866 Hey fuck nuts I'll say any fucking thing I want to after all the last time I checked this America.

[@chrisnelson2796]

You don't drive a plane! You fly a plane!! Your title is therefore stupid!! It should be The Pilots! If you are going to do something do it right! Or don't do it at all!

[@nicolasgarcia248]

Fuck you, all you get from this video is the tittle ? Really sad

[@RobPetty622]

I guess you haven't been around naval aviation much if you've never heard pilots refer to each other as drivers. I used to hear it all the time in the Marine Air Wing

[@chrisnelson2796]

@@RobPetty622 i have been around aviation all my life! My brother was in the Airforce! Two second cousins in the Navy! Pilots. My dad was in the Army! I have had several friends in the Navy as pilots also and not once have they referred to pilots being drivers! So the ball is back in your court!!

[@RobPetty622]

Chris, then maybe it's a generational thing. For example. I call myself an Airwinger, did many fellow Marines in the Wing, but I came across a guy who was in, in the early sixties who referred to said group as Airdalles, which I had never heard of. Appears that it is an old naval term before my time, which was late eighties. All I can say is the title of this video was familiar to me and not stupid whatsoever.

[@chrisnelson2796]

@@RobPetty622 I checked into it and you are correct a term used by Naval aviators at one time! I apologise for my original reply. I had to get educated.. thank you for your replies..

[@larry_ellison]

Great video