Douglas A-4C Skyhawk 148566 had a short but busy career. In October 1961 the aircraft was first assigned to VA-22 as NE-310 until 1963 when it became NE-230. For a short period in 1965 the aircraft was assigned to NAS Atsugi, Japan as 8A-xx and later that year was re-assigned to VA-144 Roadrunners as NH-302 operating from the USS Kitty Hawk until part way through 1967 it once again went to NAS Atsugi, Japan with an 8A-xx number and shortly there after was assigned to VA-34 Blue Blasters as AK-314. On November 7, 1967 this aircraft was lost to NVA AAA and the pilot was rescued.
Designed to replace the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider the Skyhawk first flew in 1954. Its small size was a radical departure from the normal Big thinking of the time. The USN first took delivery in late 1956 with the USMC receiving theirs 3 months later. Over the years many nicknames were used, Tinker Toy, Heinemann's Hotrod (the designer was Ed Heinemann), with the E and F models labeled the Camelbecause of the electronics hump along the dorsal. Probably the most well known nickname used for the 2,960 A-4's that were produced is Scooter.