The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Yorktown Campaign (May-Oct 1781) - Sep. 18th, 2003

Patriot Source ^

[Darksheare]

Don't think I've been to Loring Park.
Hmm..
Now where could I have last seen myself that had a water fountain?

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Darksheare.

[snippy_about_it]

Morning w/w.

[Darksheare]

Morning.
Have you seen where Valin and I left ourselves?
We seem to have misplaced us somewhere.

[Johnny Gage]

Air Power
McDonnel Douglas 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.

Configuration of the aircraft is characterized by a cropped delta wing of 33° sweepback mounted in the low position on a short, stubby fuselage with a large vertical tail and dorsal surface. The horizontal tail is mounted part way up the vertical fin just above the wing chord plane extended and consists of an electrically actuated stabilizer and hydraulically powered elevator. The hydraulically actuated rudder is of a unique design, consisting of a single central skin with external riblike stiffeners. According to the interesting account of the development of the A-4 given in reference 164, this design feature was found to offer a solution to problems of rudder buffet or buzz.

Two inlets mounted high on the fuselage just ahead of the wing supply air to the single Pratt & Whitney turbojet engine of 8500 pounds thrust. The boundary-layer diverters located Just ahead of the inlets. The long landing-gear struts were dictated by clearance requirements for large stores carried beneath the wings on either side and between the main landing-gear legs. A braking chute was provided for use at shore-based landing facilities.

For simplicity, the wing of aspect ratio 2.91 was built as a single unit with continuous top and bottom skins. it was so small that no folding was necessary for storage and movement on the aircraft carrier, an unusual feature in a Navy aircraft. Automatic leading-edge slats and trailing-edge split flaps were provided for lift augmentation. Outwardly extending speed brakes were mounted on either side of the rear of the fuselage.

The Skyhawk is capable of carrying literally hundreds of combinations of external stores including fuel tanks, both conventional and nuclear bombs, rockets, and Sidewinder missiles. Armament consists of two 20-mm cannons, one of which is mounted in each wing root.

The Skyhawk has a remarkably low gross weight of 18,311 pounds but can deliver a weapons load of 2,040 pounds at a mission radius of 680 miles with two 300-gallon external tanks; unrefueled ferry range is 2130 miles. Maximum speed of the aircraft is 673 miles per hour (Mach 0.88) at sea level, and cruising speed is 498 miles per hour. Ceiling is just over 40 000 feet. Certainly, the aircraft has an impressive performance for a lightweight attack aircraft.

Specifications:
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas
Primary Role: light attack and ground support
Power Plant: Single, Pratt & Whitney, J-52-P-408A non-afterburning, turbojet engine that develops 11,220 pounds of thrust
Crew: Pilot

Dimensions:
Wing span: 8.38m
Length overall: 12.29m
Height overall: 4.57m
Weight empty: 4,899kg
Take off weight: (normal) 11,113kg

Performance :
Maximum speed: 660.00 Mph (with a 4,000 pound bomb load)
Initial climb rate: 8,440 ft/min
Maximum ferry range: 2,000 nautical miles
"G" load: 6g maximum

Armaments:
Two 20 mm guns internal to the wing structure
Has one fuselage and four wing racks and carries a variety of external stores.
May be provisioned for Sidewinder, Shrike, and Walleye missiles and 1,000 pound bombs.
Countermeasures: Not applicable

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All photos Copyright of Global Security.Org

[snippy_about_it]

Last time I saw either of you, you were safe in the Foxhole. I think SAM is out looking for you. ;)

[Darksheare]

So it's okay, we're still here!

[snippy_about_it]

Yep. Everybody is okay here. :)

Now it's time for me to read the thread while I'm at lunch!

[SAMWolf]

Morning w_over_w. FR was running slow for me last night.

[SAMWolf]

Nope. No water fountain, just our canteens.

[snippy_about_it]

Washington now rode ahead with General Rochambeau and their staffs for a visit to his home at Mount Vernon, which he had not seen in six years. They arrived on September 9th and remained there until the 12th.

I know that his wife sometimes visited Washington wherever he was but for him to not go home in six years shows real dedication to a cause!

Good story today, thanks SAM.

[Darksheare]

Lunch break!
Pick a tree stump and pull out the canteens..

[SAMWolf]

Mrs. Peel, definately!!!!

[SAMWolf]

Morning Johnny.

[colorado tanker]

Great battle and great ship, Sam!

We visited Yorktown last year doing a history week at Williamsburg. I was afraid the kids would be bored, but they loved it. They ran all over the trenches, redoubts and artillery emplacements. The whole family was mustered into the Virgina militia and learned the rudiments of drill and musket fire.

There's a nice audiotape self-guided tour of Yorktown battlefield. I was amazed how compact the final British lines were. My recollection is that Hamilton advanced with unloaded weapons so no one could give away the attack by firing, and then stormed the redoubt in a bayonet charge. Gallant stuff.

Visiting the historic triangle in Virginia just makes you proud to be an American.

Of course, we couldn't have trapped Corwallis if the French hadn't kept the British fleet away. I guess they weren't always putzes.

[PsyOp]

Great post. My father flew Skyhawks from the Hancock and Ranger. Got out of the Navy and went to fly for American Airlines just in time to miss getting shipped to Vietnam (1965).

[SAMWolf]

Of course, we couldn't have trapped Corwallis if the French hadn't kept the British fleet away. I guess they weren't always putzes.

Yeah, but the debt was paid in full in 1918 and 1944.

[colorado tanker]

You got that right, Sam. Debt paid - with interest.

[colorado tanker]

Hmmm. I wonder what the weather conditions are at Yorktown right now? Probably not the best time to visit.

[SAMWolf]

Our Military Today
ARGEX-03

US Marines walk along the beachfront of the Philippine Marine base in Ternate town, south of Manila September 18, 2003, during the war games between U.S. and Philippine troops dubbed 'Amphibious Ready Group Exercise (ARGEX) '03'. The joint exercise involving 1,500 U.S. Marines and 600 Filipino soldiers is aimed at enhancing the combat readiness of both forces. REUTERS/Erik de Castro


U.S. and Philippine Marines disembark from an amphibious assault vehicle during the Amphibious Ready Group Exercise (ARGEX) 03 Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003 at the Marine Base in Ternate, southwest of Manila.


Crew members prepare two US Marine Harrier jets for take off Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003 aboard the USS Essex off Manila Bay. About 1,500 US Marines from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex is now participating in a week-long joint military exercise with their Philippine counterpart designed to bolster regional security. (AP Photo/Pat Roque-Pool)


US Marines in full battle gear walk inside the Philippine Marine base in Ternate Cavite September 18, 2003 during wargames with Philippine troops dubbed 'Amphibious Ready Group Exercise (ARGEX) '03' south of Manila September 18, 2003.


U.S. Marines in full battle gear walk towards a clearing during war games with Philippine troops dubbed 'Amphibious Ready Group Exercise (ARGEX) '03' at the Philippine Marines base in Ternate Cavite, south of Manila, September 18, 2003


US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit based in Okinawa, Japan, practice 'engaging' an enemy during their joint military exercise with their Philippine counterpart at the Philippine Marines Training Base camp in Ternate, south of Manila Thursday Sept. 18, 2003. About 1,500 US troops and an equal number of Filipino soldiers are taking part in a week-long 'inter operability' exercise to test their skills in modern day warfare especially in combating terrorism.