A-4 information requested

[UllyB]

Hello folks

I neeed a veteran hand here if you please. I would like to know , in order, chronologically, which A-4 had TV features (for mavericks and TV bombs), anti radar missiles and  chaff/flares/ECM  payload. I want that information for being exact in my A-4 files. Did it have ?

I discovered also that A-4C had the first mounted radar (APG-53) which was just a surface radar,. Can anyone confirm that ?

Did Argentinian A-4s (in Falklands conflict) used USAF weapons ?

Thank you!

Edited May 21, 2018 by UllyB

[MigBuster]

A-4C.....95% it was the first production A-4 with a typical radar with CRT display. 

AN/APG-53A was definitely just a surface radar with terrain clearance, and ground search modes and a ground ranging function.

The 53A was on USN A-4C/L/E/F and TA-4F/J

AN/APG-53B had the same modes but added a TV mode for Walleye....(.Same for Mavs??)

The 53B was on USN A-4E/F/ (M ?) and TA-4F/J (and others I expect A-4G)

AGM-45 are specified loadouts on USN A-4E/F/M

Chaff dispensers (ALE-29A) were on USN A-4C/L/E/F by 1970 but may have been added at different times during the late 60s

Argentine A-4s may have been supplied with MK-82s (photo) but seemed to have used Mk 17 1,000lbs during the campaign.

 

[Nyghtfall]

The only Maverick-variant used on US Skyhawks were the Laser-guided ones (AGM-65E) on A-4M. No other US Navy/Marines Skyhawk-variant used any Maverick-version.

New Zealands A-4K later received Maverick-capability, but also had a new APG-66 radar.

Israel is said to have used the Maverick with their Skyhawks, but I never found any picture of this, so I'm not sure, if this is really true. If they used them, then probably with the newer A-4N (that also had a newer APQ-145-radar) and not with their older A-4E/F/H.

 

AGM-45 Shrikes could be used on A-4C/E/F/M/N and probably on L, but not on TA-4s.

 

Chaff-/Flare-Dispensers on US Skyhawks could be used on A-4C and E after "Shoehorn"-retrofit in '65, aswell as F, L, M. Some A-4B also received the "Shoehorn"-ECM avionics, so maybe these also had Chaff-Dispensers. There were different layouts of the dispensers.

- 1x far aft left + 1x right side of tailhook-attachment (with left side having a ECM-antenna)

- 1x far aft left + 1x left side of tailhook-attachment (with right side having a ECM-antenna)

- 1x far aft left only (not sure if this is a real config or just one of the former with the second spot not visible)

- left + right side of tailhook-attachment (A-4M only)

 

Another interesting thing is, that US Skyhawks usually had not Sidewinder-capability (only provisions). Exceptions were the planes, that were used as Air-Defense on CVS-carriers (VSF squadrons and some Detachments of regular squadrons) and A-4M.

[RustyKurnass]

10 hours ago, UllyB said:

Did Argentinian A-4s (in Falklands conflict) used USAF weapons ?

Thank you!

The A-4Q of Argentinian Navy employed US-manufactured Mk-82s,with both conical or Snakeyes fin assembly;in the days preceding the start of the war,was also used for CAPs from the carrier 25 de Mayo armed with a fuel tank and a pair of Aim-9B,but during the conflict flown only attack missions.

For the Argentinian Air Force A-4Cs,again before the start of the war,for the CAP,the planes was armed with a pair of Shafrir 2 missiles and 2 or three external tanks.

For attack missions,the typical bomb load used comprised three Explosivos Alaveses 250kg bombs,either parachut-retarded (BRP,Bomba Retardada por Paracaidas and close resembling MK-82s) or with convntional tails.Also.from 11 May tha Skyhawks began using the 1000lb Mk-17 bomb..In the missions,the planes used always two external wings tanks 'cause the distnace involved taking off from the mainland bases and the Falklands.

Hope this help

[UllyB]

Thanks a lot guys for the info. I appreciate a lot your knowledge.

[+Crusader]

13 hours ago, Nyghtfall said:

- 1x far aft left only (not sure if this is a real config or just one of the former with the second spot not visible)

Yep, wrongly identified config, it was always 2 dispensers

[UllyB]

by the way, in SF1/SF2 universe a datalink pod it is used as laser designator or what is its purpose ?

[Nyghtfall]

4 hours ago, Crusader said:

Yep, wrongly identified config, it was always 2 dispensers

Seems to be a pretty widespread mistake, as one finds drawings and info with it with no effort.

[MigBuster]

1 hour ago, UllyB said:

by the way, in SF1/SF2 universe a datalink pod it is used as laser designator or what is its purpose ?

Which object exactly?

 

 

[UllyB]

I mean, in weapon editor, at STORE TYPE, it says DATALINK. Does it matter if its one or another if they are in the same category ? I assumed that if LASER DESIGNATOR , for instance, is in one category, then a DATALINK one cannot be a laser designator, too. So being not clear for me what is their purpose exactly in the game, that is why I asked the question.

[MigBuster]

All the laser pods I have are set to Laser Designator including the stock ones.

Not familiar with the DATALINK category personally but someone might be.

 

 

 

[UllyB]

I see. It means that at one time, modders and TK had something in mind for them, also that goes for Navigation Pods. If you take a weapons pack , an untouched one I mean, you'll find plenty of datalink pods and navigation pods, at the STORE TYPE cassette. It's a mistery what are they good for, but I doubt that modders made them just for the show. Maybe someone who knows will tell us what are they for. Thanks anyway.

Edited May 22, 2018 by UllyB

[+Crusader]

The AttachmentType's  NP and DLP are swapped... DLP uses NP and vice versa.

VC-5 A-4E with two dispensers

[+Crusader]

Video IP-936/AXQ - thats the TV monitor for Walleye which replaces the normal radar scope

[+Crusader]

+

[UllyB]

Thanks man, precious info.

[UllyB]

I searched for the A-4N radar, AN/APQ-145 but I can't find what ground map radar ranges were. Can anyone help here please ?

UPDATE

I founded that its max range was 14,8 km. Can anyone confirm that please ?

Edited May 23, 2018 by UllyB