@ San Carlos, CA
January 2022
Here is a McDonnell Douglas A-4M Skyhawk cockpit trainer as displayed at the Hiller Aviation Museum, with all the wear that comes from over 20 years of museum patrons clambering in and out. Cockpit trainers like these were utilized to familiarize pilots with cockpit procedures or controls modifications. One can observe how some controls have a physical resemblance to the system in use. The landing gear lever (left) has a wheel for a handle, and the arresting hook control (right) actually looks like an arresting hook. First flown in 1954, close to 3,000 A-4s were produced and some are still in active duty service with Argentina, Brazil and Singapore. Although Douglas became McDonnell Douglas in 1967, it is interesting see the Douglas name on the rudder pedals. iPhone 12 Pro photo.
