TA-4 N518TA

NZ has 20 odd mothballed A4’s….been sitting around for 10 years costing $10m a yr to maintain in storage. We’d LOVE to see a couple back in the air…..

Thats a beautiful rebuild job of a delightful early jet.

here’s a series of shot I took on the first weekend that it flew

http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/az/avrafcff/

also some shots of the rebuild

http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/az/avrafc/

Lovely little jet 🙂

EVERYTHING WORKS.

Possible problems in the UK would be runway length and airspace…here in the USA its still possible to work with ATC when your plane climbs at 25,000fpm and you don’t want to wait to climb…..

We have had a few talks regarding the F-8….but would be interested in figuring out if it was possible to make the plane a bit bigger….we have a few noses and ideas…but need a backer with a similar dream….is it the ultimate in jet battlebird cool (besides an F-105F/G?)

Ahhhh… one can dream, can’t one?

sorry, I ment why are the TA-4s not for sale? thought these birds could be used with the collings foundation legislation easier(obviously meeting certain standards?
still an awesome achievement.

There are no TA-4’s for sale, nor will any ever be offered to the public in even semi complete form. The TA-4’s operated overseas may be possibly released at some point, but that would be based on the way the country aqquired the plane. Any military assistance package aircraft would be returned to the USA or scrapped on site.

There are 3 or 4 true “civil” TA-4 aircraft.

There is N250WL, 251WL and 252WL, ex Israel TA-4’s operated on military contracts by ATSI…they will not be available to purchase…and really don’t count…

SO then.

One owned by Collings FOundation, it is a direct transfer to a civilian operator with a huge amount of paperwork and restrictions. It does however fly and offer rides to the public. It will not ever be offered for sale.

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/Houston/tx_ta-4skyhawk_hist.htm

The second is the built N518TA. It can be duplicated, but someone would have to pay for that. This was built to enjoy, but eventually sell. It can be sold to anyone and is a completely NEW aircraft. It is truly at this time one of a kind.

The third is offered here….needs a crew and a few years. Just add money.

http://www.raptoraviation.com/aircraft%20spec%20pages%20old/TA4%20Shep.html

There is a fourth I have heard, but they probably will not get it to fly either…

Also, why are the original TA-4s for sale? and how much does one of these things cost:o

EVERYTHING WORKS.

Possible problems in the UK would be runway length and airspace…here in the USA its still possible to work with ATC when your plane climbs at 25,000fpm and you don’t want to wait to climb…..

We have had a few talks regarding the F-8….but would be interested in figuring out if it was possible to make the plane a bit bigger….we have a few noses and ideas…but need a backer with a similar dream….is it the ultimate in jet battlebird cool (besides an F-105F/G?)

I’ll kick in money to see it repainted in Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm colours…..VF-805 with beautiful red checkboard tail(rudder is already the right colour!)

Well done to those involved

out of curiosity, does the AAR probe work? Any chance of another one with a buddy tank?

shall we kick in some extra spare money to bring it to europe ;)?

http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/Current%20Inventory/N518TA%201972%20McDonnell%20Douglas%20TA-4%20Skyhawk.htm

Wil it be at Legends……….

:D:D

Cool build mucho KUDOS

This F-8 is not a candidate for a flying restoration as there is minimal interest in a single seat aircraft of this complexity….

Actor Michael Dorn (Worf) has stated his intention to restore a F-8 Crusader to flying condition.

He used to have an ex-Canadian F-86 Sabre, and really wants to “move up” to supersonic.

Regarding the projects that are about the hangar….F-8 is currently a static with a fully restored forward section, the rest being in “as surplused” condition. This F-8 is not a candidate for a flying restoration as there is minimal interest in a single seat aircraft of this complexity….The A-4 store is open, and hopefully buyers can be found to build/buy further airframes. There are parts for only 3 more, so they are very limited run. Remember no USN TA-4F or J airframes will be sold, and the ones that are out there are proving prohibitively difficult to reach flight status. This one is a completely new airplane in many ways, and is so much better than the repainted vintage aircraft, similar to the level of improvement that HFL did with the Spitfire restoration movement. There are many single seat A-4’s available, but little interest in them from US buyers. The engines for all of the vintage jet planes are becoming rare, so when you can save them from the scrappers!

Serial list here of the raw material….

http://a4skyhawk.org/9e/atw/atw-marana.htm

Wonderful photos! Thanks for posting. Who took them by the way?

On another note… this really is a remarkable restoration. I take it, from the photos, that a Vought F8 Crusader is also in the shop. Will that ever be restored?

Cheers,
Richard

1:1 kit bashing, excellent 😎

Fantastic!! Always good to see any vintage jets, especially navy types, get back into the air.

As a ‘composite’ airframe / restoration though, i wonder what the chances are of such a thing returning to flight in the UK?!

What a great looking…build, I suppose?!

Does anyone have a list of the various airframes used to make this rebuild?

from this…

to this…

to this!

Flies better! This one is not really a “rebuilt” military jet in the traditional sense. Jets seem to be much more of “come as you are” “restorations” rather than the classic WWII variety warbird. Most jets that resume civil flying are upon aquisition good basic aircraft in their own right. A lengthy reservicing and inspection of components with in most cases outright replacement of time limited or unsatisfactory parts. This jet however was made from a combination of parts that were all broken to the simplest components, and then built from the ground up. It is in effect a new aircraft, and perhaps is one of the first of her kind, a restored basket case Vietnam era aircraft. Mike’s previous work was restoring an FG-1 Corsair…he said this was a lot harder to do, but is easier to maintain…!