A-4C Skyhawk - Hide's Last Ride 

Go Dave, slinging that bird around like a 20 year old, I love the 60s and 70s era jets, so much class and just amazing guys that flew them without all the tech they have now, stick and rudder flying, the A-4 was a truely great aircraft

My father flew over 184 combat missions in Vietnam in A4 Skyhawk's. He was on board the Independence.He praised the Skyhawk's ability to outflank enemy fighters and it's ability to carry more than twice it's own weight in ordinance. He later commanded VT21 in Kingsville TX in 73.and of course the aircraft were Skyhawks. They were a great design, fairly inexpensive and quite flexible. My dad passed away about 2 years ago and any time I see a video about A4'S, I think of him.

I miss this plane, I was part of Vma-322 out of Weymouth, ma, Marine reserve squadron back in the 80's ... I worked on the hyrdraulics.. Miss this work.. Thanks for this Vid.

Wow.... 70 years old aviator but still capable of flying a fast mover . So cool .

Argentines love this wonderful plane.

In 1990, I had the privilege of being the plane captain that launched the last active duty A-4M in a Marine Corps gun squadron - VMA-211. It was launched from MCAS Yuma for a flight to Davis Monthan AFB. I've forgotten the name of the Major who flew it, but it was a bittersweet day. My enlistment ended about three weeks later and VMA-211 received their first AV-8B about a month after that. About three and a half years ago, I was lucky enough to tour the Lockheed plant in Fort Worth. On that tour, I was shocked to see an F-35B heading to VMA-211 (soon thereafter reassigned as VMFA-211). I spent six years in the USMC, all six assigned to VMA-211. It's amazing to see how much, and how seemingly quickly, the technology in the USMC has changed. RIP and Semper Fi, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Raible and Sergeant Bradley Atwell and all who have paid the ultimate price for freedom.

I was on the uss shangrila assigned to va-152. 1970. Those pilots were the finest dudes you ever wanted to meet. they treated the crew with respect and genuine friendship. I was black shoe navy for two years and then found my self in a squadron. The skipper was Jerry Strum, he was the greatest leader and human being i have ever met. The XO and Opps officer on down all great.

My pops flew A-4's out of Glenview, IL as a young Marine reserve pilot. He always talked about three planes he flew in his lifetime that stood out as the greatest he was lucky enough to fly: F4U, DC-8, and the C model Scooter. Mr. Hide, congrats on safely flying for 50 years of your life, that's a huge achievement. I sincerely hope that you get to enjoy your retirement for many many years.

Un avión espectacular el mejor de la historia ! sin dudas !!

I was an Electrical Technician at the McDonald Douglas factory in Palmdale CA from 1962 to 1978 when we built the last one. I agree with these great comments on this amazing birth. A4 was sold to many other countries and their pilots came to train with us. Many great memories. Our test pilots and whole staff were the best. Eddie Betanzos

I got my wings in VT-21 in July 1970. We were the only TA-4 squadron at the time. As the Vietnam War was slowing down at the time, we got "stashed"at different places around the country. I had the good fortune to be stationed at the Naval Air Test Facility in Lakehurst testing catapults and arresting gear in the A-4C. Most guys were in non-flying billets. I later flew A-3's and spent 10 years flying the Prowler. Without a doubt, the Skyhawks was the most fun I ever had in an airplane. You literally strapped that airplane to your body; it felt like a part of you.

You are one of very few luckiest old guys on the planet... Keep up the good health so they invite you again when you are 90!!!

I think you should come to Argentina to see our A4, we do not have the old ones in operation but you could have the pleasure of visiting the cradle of the A-4AR fightinghawk 👍

The first time I saw this A-4, it was sitting on a trailer behind Windermere Prep School in Orlando in spring of 2003... and not too far removed from being turned into beer cans. My girlfriend at the time - now my wife of 15 years - is the daughter of the school owner, and Porter was his business partner. She told me how Porter was an old Skyhawk driver, and that he was going to restore the airplane to flight. I was uncertain, to be sure. Time goes on, the school was sold, and my wife's father lost touch with Porter. Years later, I found out that he actually got that trailer full of parts back into proper formation, and had someone flying her out of Sanford - it blew my mind that he actually pulled it off. I reached out to Porter, and put him in my father in law back into touch with each other; I was happy to be able do that. I am well pleased that this old warbird found new life with you guys... Tico is a great place, and they will treat her well. Tailwinds and CAVU skies, sir!

Thank you sir for your service !!!!!!!!!!!! Am ex Navy ...75-78.....

Beautiful machine. Beautiful pictures. Heinemann's Hot-Rod! 😁

I bet ATC enjoyed being a part of the show, too! It would have been interesting to ride along with the Lt. on a mission over Haiphong - once, but not twice, lol. My father was in the USAF, one tour at Korat RTAB in 1968, where they flew F-4’s and F-105’s among other assets. He made it back, but many brave pilots did not. Many thanks to all members of our Armed Forces, former, present and future, whatever your service affiliation! 🇺🇸💫

BRAVO ZULU Dave! Thanks for your service. Doc USN 70-79

To all military aviators...a cut above the rest of us...so privileged and proud to look up to you all. God Bless you all, God Bless America...

Awesome.. we flew Skyhawks down under thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿

I've always been impressed with the amount of stuff they could hang under that plane...and it still flew!

total respect !!! bravo, je suis admiratif !!

Somewhere there’s an RNZAF pilot or 2 with a tear in their eye. Hey. Thanks for this. The smile on the mans face dragging off those cars said it all. Low level. Made it look easy. I bet that’s a hand full. Great to see the A4 fly again. Draken International have what’s left of our airforce. Long may they keep it together. 👍🇳🇿

I had the privilege of being allowed to fly an A-4 simulator at Chase Navel Air Station, in Beeville Texas. I grew a few neurons that day.

My father always held the A-4 in high regard. As a Marine in Viet Nam 67-68, the CAS they provided was invaluable and saved a lot of lives.

Thanks you so much for serving our country. Long live the U.S.A.

I was on board the USS Forrestal in 1967 also, I was in HVAH 11 out of NAS Sandford Fl.. Great video showing your last A-4 flight.

My name is Tom Deschamps, and I was stationed on the America (CVA-66). I actually saw this plane (different pilot) at the Vero Beach air show several years ago. Very cool!

fantastic for a 70 year old! i wish I could have done what you're doing. Keep it up.

Beautiful tribute. 🫡

Gee Whiz!!!!...Skyhawks Forever!!!!!...Thanks for sharing!!! Salud a éste piloto de A4C!!!!

Way to go Dave. A lot of us would loved to have the opportunity to fly that airplane again.

enjoyed this vidieo very much.so glad you were still in good health and do this. god bless you,sir.

Hey, I flew A-4s back in the early 70's and am turning 70 yrs of age in two weeks....would love to be your replacement...just passed my physical and currently fly my own Midget Mustang.....lets do it!

Dave, I remembered seeing you while watching "Seconds from Disaster" when you told your story of the USS Forrestal fire in 1967. You were with Senator (then Lt. Commander) John McCain on that day.

This was very cool to watch!! Thanks! I remember when A4’s would come to Clark to participate in joint training. Would also watch them land at Subic when the family would spend a day at the small beach near the RNWY over there (had to drive on a taxiway to get there but nobody cared). F4’s too. Cool stuff all the way around. I’d give just about anything to go back in time!

Great job Dave I enjoyed the video and thank you for you service to are nation .God bless America

Congratulations, Hide, on achieving what mere mortals only dream of! You are an inspiration to all. Have a safe and wonderful trip out west this month. Slide Rule

We had A-4s on the Hornet CVS 12 in 1968 before leaving for Westpac, Yankee Station. Before leaving California, we were off the southern Cal coast with A-4 squadrons coming out from NAS Lemoore to do their carrier quals. I worked on the bridge, and had a great view of all the bolters and eventually the successful recoveries. Nearly 40 years later I'm on the Board of the USS Hornet museum in Alameda, and one of the other board members tells me he was one of the young pilots who came to Hornet back then for his quals. Small world.

A-4s Forever!!

I was a rigger for the A-4 at Cherry Point NC MCAS 1981-1985 the last of the A-4s HMS-32, VMA-223 . HMS-32 had the OA-4s 2 seaters. Loved to see those birds fly,very agile!

Dave, Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪, that was a very nice video, I couldn't believe that you are 70 in this!!!! You look so young and your passion for life and flying stands out. May you still slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings.

Thank you for your service - both in the military and showing this piece of history to the public!

The Skyhawk did a great job in Malvinas, the Argies will always be grateful to that great bird

I saw you flying at the airshow two years ago and it was great! Thank you so much!

Nice looking aircraft.

I was an 80s kid...No better Blue Angel than the A-4...FO SHO! Scooter ftw!!!

Thank you so much for bringing us to fly with you , brave Eagle ! Skyhawk allways be a wonderful bird.

you just gave me new hopes for when I turn 70 :)

Served with VA-113 on the Big "E" as a jet mech. on the C model and the E model. Made two deployments the Nam. Loved to work on this bird and watch it fly. The Scooter one hell of a bird!!!!

it's cool how the snake decals were placed behind the intakes and Danger labels. Good performance Hide!

Excellent. Blue skies, sir!

I've always really liked this airplane.

My grandfather USN cpt Jack woodul flew in a Squadron call the sidewinders and I believe the a4 in this video has it's signature snake.

Holy hell is the cockpit small

One day out at 29 Palms, the EAF Commanding Officer was coming in, landing and had his wife come out and pick him up. He came in driving a TA-4 from the backseat. On his approach the Aircraft yawed strangle, I was the CFR NCOIC so I was sitting next to our alert Crash Truck, as the CO taxied past me, my CO held up the Joy Stick that had become disconnected from the floor while in the approach. When I set the ladder climbed up to help them get out and safety the Aircraft, my CO said Hold this, and he handed me the yoke.

Ive always loved that skyhawk slick little fighter jet.

What a wonderful airplane the A4...!

An awesome detail right here, at 7:37 and 8:25 you can see slats working! Lovely plane

Beautiful..just..Beautiful……….. Thank You Dave ))

For 3 1/2 years I watched the training version of the training version of these pretty little birds operate out of NAS Chase Field, Beeville, TX. I never took the opportunity to catch a ride in one. Probably because I the objective of the Aviator would have been to make me lose my lunch. In the mid 70’s Chase was the busiest airport in Texas with all the touch and goes being made by the students. I imagine their quite a few Chase graduates that have seen or will see this video and relive their days flying this airplane.

Dave, Great job! Great shooting, editing and flying! You have given us a good feel for what its like to fly the A4. I hope we will be switching to Tac together for many years to come.

Wow, you certainly made that look routine. Thanks for sharing.

A4 forever!

Vincere Vel Mori ATTAKRON46 87-90. I know nothing about the Blue Angels/46 zapping plague of that era-no $hit, Sir. Well done and Thanks for posting. I enjoyed.

Nice landing.

Very nice! Thanks for your service! Great video!

Stationed at NAS Miramar, 70-74, ETR-2, maintained GCA RADAR and TACAN. Got to see hundreds of aircraft of all types land and launch while there, including at least one Blackhawk

Awesome!

Loved this bird since i rode w/ the Blue Angels flying the Skyhawk's. We have one in the Bluegrass Air Museum. Lexington Ky.

A great pilot and a great plane. Should still be out in the fleet.

Interesting side note, the older model A-4's did not have an on-board starter, they used an external starter. That's the device removed after the startup. Basically a starter with a long probe that engaged splines on the compressor. Later models had the external-air-driven starter mounted on the front of the gearbox that provided starting rotation to the N2 compressor. The A-4M model later incorporated a self-contained starter - JFS100-34.

I worked on the A-4L while assigned to VA-204, the "River Rattlers" at NAS Memphis. I believe these aircraft began as the A-4C before being reworked and updated for the Naval Air Reserve.

I love this video!

In the '80s I believed that the early -B/C versions with the J65 engine are noisy, leaky, smokey in generally much worse than the later J52 versions but this is AMAZING...light, fast, ultra responsive and incredibly agile. I cannot imagine how good the aggressor A-4s (with the J52-408 and much less weight than the -F/Ms) are to fly!

Admiral James B. Stockdales ride!

Simply ... GREAT !

Beautiful bird. Makes you want to agree when they say Douglas never made an ugly airplane.

This is a truly beautiful bird!

Great vid! Love the cockpit camera. Wasn’t the A-4 also known as Hinemen’s Hot Rod who designed it?

Very neat installs on the modern guages / instrumentation.

74? He's gotta lot more years left!

Congrats! Good flying, thanks for sharing it. A Happy man with his toy.

He was a pretty nice guy .

One lucky man! There are those in the same situation but due to weight gain over the years couldn't fit in that cockpit let alone fly.

Well done Dave, she's a beautiful airplane!

GREAT video, and, FLY NAVY!! Bravo Zulu, sir!

Great job Dave! Love your story and your flying!

This jet must be in a private collection. Lucky man got to fly it again after all these years. Must be like riding a bicycle, you never forget. 😂👍

They inserted two squads of us to blow up a *hit load of bangalore torpedoes that had been dropped in a rice paddy. Don't ask me how. I don't know. It was pretty lonely out there but as we were walking up the valley in the distance we could hear a fast mover coming. It was a Skyhawk and he flew right past us so low I could have hit him with a baseball. He stayed on station till we piled them up set a pencil detonator and got extracted. Very good feeling having him circling around.

Pretty cool stick!

Man, the A4 really has a tiny cockpit, doesn't it?! :-)

That is so awesome! Salute to you Sir!

They should have never retired the A4. It should be like the B52, F15, and F16. They live on, and so should the A4. Bring them back.

Nostalgic!! It was common in Atsugi base.

Just rather these old Fighters serve the Australian Navy well! And this New Zealand Air Force well ! Love their 16 to the weather

Saw your demo at Tico many times and my RU-vid Channel Banner is your jet!

Great video. It was good to see the VA-86 markings. I’m always looking for Bu 145059 (405) in the videos. I was her plane captain in the early 60’s in VA-86 on USS INDEPENDENCE. Not sure when they went to the A7 while on USS AMERICA. I think they last flew there as a VA before going to VFA on USS NIMITZ.

I was there at that airshow it was fun to watch. That is also my home airport

So cool. I guess being a civi plane you can't have a hud in it? That is one of my favorite aircraft. I've always wanted to build a model of one and just so happens I inherited an unopened kit from my dad. I imagine since you flew them in service, you had blast that day/weekend.