A-4 Skyhawk (But I'm a Phantom guy by trade.) Can't beat Ed Heinemann's application of the KISS principle. You flew it all the time. No one maintained the A/P.
AMEN on both counts.
You strap on the A-4, roll to the catapult and off you go, just like a bird.
On the other hand, the Phantom rides down the glide slope line it's hooked to a wire. No fuss, no bother.
For a prop, the A-1, Skyraider is tops. Lots of power and stable as a rock once you learn to manage the torque on takeoff.