Skyhawk/Harrier II Customers.

[Iranian F-14A]

Needed some imput on possible A-4 Skyhawk and AV-8B Harrier II customers.Heres what I have so far:
A-4 Skyhawk-
Bolivia-Was interested in ex USN TA-4Js to replace its T-33s.
Iran-Was looking at buying some A-4Ms
France
Libya
Saudi Arabia-Maybe have it get some embargoed Iranian A-4Ms
Greece
Colombia
Venezuela
South Korea
India
Pakistan
Cuba
Turkey


AV-8B Harrier II-
Taiwan
Japan
Germany
South Korea

[Bryan H.]

Did some one say 'Skyhawk'?!?!  Add these to your list...

In no particular order -
South Vietnam
Zaire
South Africa
Cambodia
Morocco
Egypt
Spain
Italy
Austria
Germany
Jordan
Lebanon
Norway
Papua New Guinea
Guatamala
Jamaica
Nicaragua
Canada
Mexico
Japan
Oh... and Texas (Army Air Corps, Air National Guard, Air Militia & Navy)

Bryan

[PolluxDeltaSeven]

Interresting facts, and a lot of potential cool profiles and models here!!

For my part, I was just thinking yesterday about what the Brazilian Navy will get in order to replace its A-4 in order to operate from the Sao Paulo and maybe a second carrier that could be buy to India, Spain or France... And I thought about some cool solution, including two that include Harrier II and Skyhawk extended lifetime :


-Replacing the old A-4 by some former Harrier II from USMC or Italian Navy, when they will be equiped with F-35 (not the Royal Navy's, because of the lack of radar).
They could be modernised with a new radar, a FLIR system under the nose, new gun pods and new weapons...

-replacing the A-4 by modernised T-45 Goshawk, maybe in a new "A-45" variant...

-Replacing them with the modernised Super Etendard of the French Navy: they have improved navigation and attack system, a PESA radar, more pylons and they could have another refit before beeing sent in Brazil... Moreover, the Super Etendard of the Argentinian Navy sometimes operate form the Sao Paulo

-A large modernisation of the Skyhawk, in the same way of the Fightinghawk of the Argentinian Air Force/Navy but with French equipement (inspired by the more modern Rafale, instead of the F-16 inspiration of the Fightinghawk): a PESA variant of the RC-400 radar, a FLIR system, a new ECM suite based on the Mirage 2000's and Rafale's one, maybe a new engine, based on the M88-4 (but with no afterburner) and, why not, 2 aditional pylons on the wings ala Jaguar...
And of course, new weapons like Brimstone and AASM air-to-ground missiles, MICA missiles, GBU etc etc...

-The last option is much more heavy: it's a total refit of the Sao Paulo in order to give it 20 more years of service, a larger fly deck and new catapults in order to operate the Rafale or second-hand Hornet...



As far as I'm concerned, I admit that my favourite solutions are the refit aircrafts: Super Etendard, Harrier II and A-4...
I just love to imagine one of those legendary plane with new goodies, new weapons and moreover, the beautiful scheme of the Brazilian Navy!!

If only I had some 1/72 Brazilian Navy or Air Force decals!    

[Matt Wiser]

All of those A-4 customers mentioned are quite probable; France and Imperial Iran at least evaled the Skyhawk, while there is McAir artwork of A-4s in Greek, Turkish, Dutch, Indian Naval, and Lebanese markings. You might throw in the British, both the RAF and RN were courted by McAir. Then the U.S. Army was interested, they evaled the A-4, G-91, and F-5 as CAS aircraft in 1963-64; the USAF was furious at the Army getting into fixed-wing combat aircraft again, which led to the Key West agreement, which means the Army doesn't operate fixed-wing except for C-12 and similar transports.  

[Archibald]

France and Imperial Iran at least evaled the Skyhawk

http://frenchnavy.free.fr/projects/skyhawk/skyhawk.htm

[Son of Damian]

Sweden at one time actively thought that it was economically and technologically possible to develop there own nuclear weapons as part of its national defence during the cold war. They didn't give up on this until around 1964, which is perfect timing for the Skyhawk.  

The Skyhawk was also pitched to Switzerland, IIRC, there was a thread here several months back about some potential Skyhawk sales along with several pics of the aircraft in there possible colors.

[elmayerle]

All of those A-4 customers mentioned are quite probable; France and Imperial Iran at least evaled the Skyhawk, while there is McAir artwork of A-4s in Greek, Turkish, Dutch, Indian Naval, and Lebanese markings. You might throw in the British, both the RAF and RN were courted by McAir. Then the U.S. Army was interested, they evaled the A-4, G-91, and F-5 as CAS aircraft in 1963-64; the USAF was furious at the Army getting into fixed-wing combat aircraft again, which led to the Key West agreement, which means the Army doesn't operate fixed-wing except for C-12 and similar transports.

The P.1127 was evaluated, at least on paper, and assigned a "VZ" designation for a purchase of two for evaluation - these would've been pre-Kestrel P.1127s and would make interesting markings for the Heritage kit.  They also evaluated the F-100 but I don't know the result there.

[GTX]

You might wish to revisit these threads for some ideas:

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/forum//index...=9531&hl=export
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/forum//index...0191&hl=skyhawk
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/forum//index...wtopic=6334&hl=

Regards,

Greg

[ChuckAnderson]

Sweden at one time actively thought that it was economically and technologically possible to develop there own nuclear weapons as part of its national defence during the cold war. They didn't give up on this until around 1964, which is perfect timing for the Skyhawk.  

The Skyhawk was also pitched to Switzerland, IIRC, there was a thread here several months back about some potential Skyhawk sales along with several pics of the aircraft in there possible colors.

H Everyone!

In keeping with the illustration of the Swiss Air Force A-4 Skyhawks posted by Son of Damian, here is an illustration of the current insignia of rank worn by the Swiss armed forces.  The rank insignia shown is the Field Insignia.


Chuck

[mrdj]

Canada was another potential customer. From May 1-4, 1964, 2 A4E's were put on the HMCS Bonaventure. They conducted flight ops, including traps. The RCN also sent 2 pilots to Long Beach to get checked out. The flights were conducted with USN pilots, and the aircraft carried USN markings.

Banshees in RCN service by Carl Mills

If I can get scans done, I have two pictures from the same book.


DJM