By Linda Cicoira — The Navy A-4 Skyhawk that is displayed next to the Accomack County Airport terminal, in Melfa, was given a new paint job this week.
The initial estimate for the work was $50,000. Maintenance is required by the Navy as part of the loan contract with the National Naval Museum in Pensacola, Fla. But the county was only responsible for housing a handful of Oceana aircraft maintenance team members for about five days, instead of paying thousands of dollars to get the plane painted.
At the start of the project Monday, Petty Officer Robert McClure, the team leader, said the plane was in good condition and didn’t need the usual scrub down. So, members got right to putting on protective gear and sanding the Skyhawk.
The Naval team doing the work is Ambush Fighter Squadron Composite VFC-12. A squadron by the same name flew the aircraft in the 1950s. As a lightweight, single-seat, single-engine attack aircraft, it had outstanding low-speed control and stability during both takeoff and landing that made it ideal for carrier operations, a brochure, available at the airport, states.
“Pound for pound, she is easily one of the most effective and versatile light attack planes ever produced … her dry weight of 10,465 pounds earned her the nickname ‘Heinemann’s Hot Rod’ after Douglas Aircraft Company’s chief design engineer Ed Heinemann,” the pamphlet continued. “Between 1956 and 2003, McDonnell Douglas produced 2,960 units of various models of aircraft. All models had two internally mounted 20mm cannons and were capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons day or night.”
Airport Manager Barbara Haxter gave Jim Metcalf, of Virginia Beach, a frequent visitor at the local airport, credit for finding the team and “making this possible.” She had discussed the need with him and that the airport was actively looking for experts to do the job.
“Suddenly one day in April of this year, he came in and said, ‘I have a squadron ready to come over,’” Haxter reported. Metcalf, a retired US Navy captain, reached out to the VFC-12’s skipper, Commander Royal Gordon, who in turn assigned the crew to paint the A4-F. Metcalf flew the A4 during his military career, Haxter said.
The aircraft was transported in three sections from Naval Air Station Oceana in March 1995. The initial plan was for the plane to be displayed at the entrance to the industrial park.
