Douglas TA-4 J Skyhawk 'Lover Boy'

Douglas TA-4 J Skyhawk ‘Lover Boy’ was stationed at NAS Miramar awaiting deployment to USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Part of Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17), this aircraft served in regular GOTO and FRE missions in its armed variant, also serving as an advanced trainer for the aviators
that would be deployed to VF-154 after basic. AK-301 is the squadron leader’s aircraft, Lieutenant
Junior Grade Mitch Spaartza, nick named after his call sign, as it is usual with VF-154 birds.
Mentioned as RIO/Co-Pilot is Cadet Becky Sax, who would transition to VF-154 and assigned AK-303. The A-4’s replaced the F/A-18 F’s and F/A-18 C’s that were to be the Black Knights mainstay due to technical issues involving manufacturer fleet compliance.

Note:
US Navy SL requirements call for the used of the "armed version" of the TA-4 J, as an unlikely but effective substitute for the F/A-18 F's and C's.
The TA-4 J in real life was a dedicated trainer version based on A-4F, but lacking weapons systems, and with down-rated engine, 277 built new, and most TA-4Fs were later converted to this configuration.

 Real life notes:

The TA-4J Skyhawk model entered production in June 1969. It became the longest-serving of the Skyhawks as the US Navy’s standard advanced jet trainer until replaced in the early 1990’s with the T-45A Goshawk. The TA-4J descended from the Navy and Marine Corps single-seat light attack aircraft designed in the early 1950s by a team of Douglas Aircraft engineers lead by Ed Heinemann. The first Skyhawk prototype flew in June 1954. The Skyhawk was one of the most successful attack aircraft in US Navy and Marine Corps service. Single-seat Skyhawks were much used by Navy and Marine Corps squadrons during the Vietnam War. Its low delta wing of 27 feet 6 inches (8.4m) was small enough not to require folding on aircraft carrier decks.
During service, the Skyhawk acquired several nicknames, including Heinemann's Hot Rod, Mighty Mite, Scooter, Tinker Toy, and Bantam Bomber.


CDR Asra Kron
NASMCO