03/31/2013. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Designed originally to provide the USN and USMC with a simple low-cost lightweight attack and ground support aircraft, the Skyhawk was based on experience gained during the Korean War. Since the initial requirement called for operation by the USN, special design consideration was given to providing low-speed control and stability during take off and landing, added strength for catapult launch and arrested landings, and dimensions that would permit it to negotiate standard aircraft carrier lifts without the complexity of folding wings.

Construction of the XA-4A (originally XA4D-1) prototype Skyhawk began in September 1953 and the first flight of this aircraft, powered by a 7,200 lb (3,266 kg) st Wright J65-W-2 engine, took place on June 22, 1954. In all, 2,960 Skyhawks were manufactured by Douglas/McDonnell Douglas in 26 years of continuous production. The total was made up of 2,405 attack aircraft and 555 trainers, and production of the A-4 ended 1979.

The A-4M was basically similar to the A-4F, which had new lift-spoilers on wings to shorten landing run by up to 1,000 ft (305 m), nose wheel steering, low-pressure tires, zero-height zero-speed ejection seat, additional bullet and Flak resistant materials to protect pilot, and updated avionics.

Furthermore the A-4M was fitted with an 11,200 lb (5,080 kg) Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408A turbojet and a braking parachute, making possible combat operation from 4,000 ft (1,220 m) airfields and claimed to increase combat effectiveness by 30% and tactical effectiveness by 30%.

Also it had a larger windscreen and canopy (the windscreen was bullet-resistant), increased ammunition capacity for 0.787 in (20 mm) cannon, more powerful generator, provision of wind-driven back-up generator, and a self-contained engine starter. First of two prototypes flew for the first time on April 10, 1970. The first of 158 A-4Ms for the USMC was delivered on November 3, 1970, the pictured aircraft was the last, delivered to Marine Attack Squadron VMA-331 on February 27, 1979.

After withdrawal from service BuNo. 160264 was transferred to the Flying Leathernecks Air Museum, initially at MCAS El Toro, California, later at MCAS Miramar, where it was preserved in the markings of its last unit, VMA-124, coded QP-00. Last year it was repainted similar to the special marking it wore for more than a year after it had been delivered back in 1979. It appeared for the second time in these special markings on July 19, 2012."