August 2019
This newly repainted TA-4J Skyhawk is the new gate guard at the Estrella Warbirds Museum. Built from June 1969, the two-seat TA-4J served as the US Navy’s standard advanced jet trainer until replaced in the early 1990’s with the T-45A Goshawk. 277 TA-4J’s were built originally, then joined by converted “F” models. The bright orange areas on the aircraft aid visibility should the aircraft go down in terrain. Even fifty years after the aircraft’s first flight in 1954, some of the nearly 3,000 Skyhawks produced are still in service with air arms around the world. Nikon D500 w/18-200mm.