A-4 Foreverandeverandeverandever..........
I flew an A-4M on Red Flag in Sep 79 when it was an obsolescent aircraft for the USMC/USN.
We flew it with 2x230 Gal tanks inboard - giving 1:30 hrs at low level - with a centreline MER loaded with 6xMk82 (500lb) bombs, and an outboard AIM-9 on one wing, and a SHRIKE ARM outboard on the other. Active onboard ECM - smokeless engine - turned well - even better if clean wing - with an ingress at 540 KTAS - and egress at 570 KTAS with all the junk still hanging, except for the 6xMk82s.
Not bad for an obsolescent jet, I think!!
It was great fun to fly.
So I am really pleased to see it reborn and given an extended life.
I hope that those who continue to fly it now enjoy flying it as much as I did some 35 years ago!!