I assume I was flying with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels during the time of the date stamp on this photo. I would have still been a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy. I read, too, that the nickname of the A-4 Skyhawk is the "scooter."
As the photo illustrates, they fly very close together.
http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/Assets/Still/1983/Air_Force/DF-SC-83-10003.JPEG
A left side view of four A-4F Skyhawk aircraft flown by the BLUE ANGELS Flight Demonstration Team during an open house aerial demonstration.
Location: ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, MARYLAND (MD) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA)
Camera Operator: SGT MARVIN D. LYNCHARD, USAF
Date Shot: 10 May 1981
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-4_Skyhawk
The A-4 Skyhawk was an attack aircraft originally designed to operate from United States Navy aircraft carriers. The aircraft was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Corporation (later McDonnell Douglas) and was originally designated the A4D under the US Navy's pre-1962 desigation system.
The Skyhawk was designed by Douglas' Ed Heinemann in response to a US Navy call for a jet-powered attack aircraft to replace the A-1 Skyraider. Heinemann opted for a design that would minimize size, weight and complexity. The result was an aircraft that weighed only half of the Navy's specification and had a wing so compact that it did not need to be folded for carrier stowage. The diminutive Skyhawk soon received the nicknames "Scooter," "Bantam Bomber," "Tinker Toy Bomber," and, on account of its nimble performance, "Heinemann's Hot-Rod."
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/a-4.htm
A4D (A-4) Skyhawk
The A-4 Skyhawk is a lightweight, single engine attack aircraft, with a design based on experience gained in the Korean War. The "Scooter" is probably one of the most famous attack aircraft ever designed. This short range attack and close support aircraft was originally intended for the US Navy and Marine forces. The design was a quick success, and Skyhawks continue to fly in air forces around the world. There are numerous models of the A-4 in use. All models have two internally mounted 20mm cannons, and are capable of delivering conventional and nuclear weapons under day and night visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft is a very compact design, with no wasted space. The structure is a conventional all metal semimonocoque type. Fitted with automatically operated wing slats and hydraulically operated split flaps. Folding wings were not provided.
I don't think I was operating with the Blue Angels during 1985, but this photo illustrates not only how close together they fly, but also that they were still flying the A-4 Skyhawk in 1985. They would eventually switch to the F/A-18 Hornet.
http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/Assets/Still/1986/Marines/DM-ST-86-08402.JPEG
Four A-4F Skyhawk aircraft of the Navy BLUE ANGELS precision flight team fly in formation during an air show.
Location: MCAS, CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA (NC) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA)
Camera Operator: SGT T.K. BURCH
Date Shot: 1 Jun 1985
http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/Assets/Still/1987/Navy/DN-SN-87-03236.JPEG
Ground crewmen salute as a BLUE ANGELS Flight Demonstrated Squadron A-4F Skyhawk aircraft prepares to take off for a performance during the celebration of the 75th anniversary of naval aviation.
Location: NAVAL AIR STATION, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA (FL) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA)
Camera Operator: PH3 PAQUETTE
Date Shot: 10 May 1986
http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/Assets/Still/1987/Navy/DN-ST-87-06912.JPEG
A left front view of an American Motors Corporation CJ-5 Jeep, the official car of the BLUE ANGELS Flight Demonstration Squadron.
Date Shot: 1 Mar 1987
