A-4 Skyhawk vs North Vietnamese AAA: North Vietnam 1964-72

During the Rolling Thunder campaign, the US Navy primarily used the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk as its main day-time light strike bomber against North Vietnam. The Skyhawk entered service in 1956 and remained in production for 26 years, with up to five attack carriers launching A-4 strike formations regularly. Pilots faced hazardous tasks of attacking anti-aircraft defenses, and they dropped ordnance below 3000 ft in a 30-degree dive to improve accuracy. The defenders had the advantage of covering a small target area, and the heavy gunfire directed at the attacking force caused inevitable casualties.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The United States Air Force (USAF) relied heavily on the F­105 Thunderchief during the iconic Rolling Thunder campaign, while the United States Navy predominantly utilized the Douglas A­4 Skyhawk for its strikes on North Vietnam. The Skyhawk, which entered service in 1956, remained in continuous production for a remarkable 26 years, serving as the US Navy's principal daytime light strike bomber throughout Operation Rolling Thunder. Even after the introduction of the more advanced A­7 Corsair II in December 1967, the Skyhawk continued to be used until the end of the campaign. During the 1965–68 Rolling Thunder period, up to five attack carriers routinely launched A­4 strike formations against North Vietnam. These formations faced an ever-expanding and increasingly coordinated Soviet-style network of anti-aircraft artillery missiles and fighters. Skyhawk pilots were frequently tasked with attacking anti-aircraft defenses, and to enhance accuracy, they initially dropped ordnance below 3,000 ft in a 30-degree dive to bomb visually below the persistent low cloud cover over North Vietnam. This approach placed the aircraft within range of small-arms fire, highlighting the inherent risks and challenges of such operations.

The defenders enjoyed the advantage of covering a relatively small target area, and the sheer volume of light, medium, and heavy gunfire directed at an attacking force resulted in inevitable casualties. A single rifle bullet could have the same devastating effect as a larger shell, emphasizing the lethal nature of the conflict. This title delves into the history, tactics, and effectiveness of both the A­4 Skyhawk and the Vietnamese AAA defenses in context, providing a comprehensive analysis of their roles during the Vietnam War.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 246 x 184 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472840790