Always a thumbs up for anyone giving love to the Douglas Aircraft Co. My favorite aircraft company because they built so many different types of aircraft. It's sad they don't exist anymore but what a history. And this is just a sliver
Loved seeing my old ship CV 59 in that painting …. Even in 1980 the Navy was still flying the A-3 on Electronic Warfare Missions … and watching them launch and land … you see how they got the nickname ..!
Cool video, and I enjoyed the references to R.G. Smith's works. The painting "Hornets over the Eisenhower", mentioned at 10:41, was hanging at the Prologue Room when I visited in 2019. The Prologue Room is in the former McDonnell Douglas headquarters building on the east side of the St. Louis airport. The hours are not regular, but it's worth a visit to anyone with an interest in McDonnell Douglas history.
Mike--A great episode I just discovered. As an aviation enthusiast and pilot "of a certain age," I love the airplanes of this era. Your generosity in acknowledging and featuring the work of RG Smith is to your credit. Thank you for that.
The Dauntless and the Skyhawk are two of my all time favorites. Luckily at the air museum I worked at for years (the Kalamazoo Airzoo) has both of them. The Dauntless was one we restored after it had crashed in a carrier training accident and ended up on the bottom of Lake Michigan for over 65 years! Now she looks like new. The A-4 we have is an A-4G that was part of the Royal Australian Navy. She still has the RAN markings on her. If you're ever in West Michigan the Airzoo in Kalamazoo is a great aviation museum that I would thoroughly recommend visiting.
My Dad would have loved this, he flew on the SkyWarrior during Vietnam and was apart of Avionics development with Syscon in the 80s for the Hornet. His first Air Craft carrier was the USS America. Thank You for the history... He would have been proud to have seen this video.
Thanks Mick for you story of the A-4E and the A-4. Been an avid fan of yours. I served 3 Pacific cruises on three different ships, the ranger, cony and the hancock . I got out in 1968. Flew off the hancock in the cod. What a ride🤪. Gary K
Nice presentation, Mike. Thanks for giving due to the great A-4 Skyhawk. I am proud to have served my 4 Navy years from 1966-1970 in an A-4 squadron (VA-192, the "World Famous Golden Dragons"). In that period we did 3 WestPac cruises, two in the Ticonderoga; one in Oriskany. Skyhawks were tough little birds, effective bombers, easy to maintain and very forgiving of our 19-22 year old impatience and occasional carelessness. Best airplane in the fleet.
Just want to thank you, Mike. These videos you are doing, which I have just discovered, are very well done. I sure have been familiar with your art and books for many years, I'd never heard your lilt, and as a narrator, its timeless. You could be 25. And, more to the point, I like- I have always liked- your subject matter. As a kid in the '50's, getting in trouble in school for drawing massive WWII air battles when they expected me to be focused on math or something, to flying gliders and round engine airplanes, and other things too, aviation history and art has been a passion. I've gotten to know some aircraft designers, PAA flying boat guys, Bickles and Breiglebs, and rare for me, knew in their presence to shut up and listen. Now my son is a Delta pilot. And you bring so much of what I like back to me in a pleasant, gentle way, reminding me of so many years. And--as a finish--I spent hard earned cash 60 years ago to buy and build a wooden door on pulleys as a flat pin-able surface I could lower onto my bed for plastic and then Guillows models. Good times. Again, thanks. Ken
I LOVE Navy Aircraft! My uncle was a sailor from '66 to '85 or '86 and he instilled that pride in the US Navy. My opinion, and most, Navy Pilots are the world's greatest. The aircraft are too notch too. Douglas especially, made awesome Navy Planes
The original Skyrocket looks like the same plane Bogart flew in the movie"Chained Lightning".When I had the chance to go on a field trip to Edwards,the Skyray was being evaluated because it was to hot for carriers,they were trying to find a way to slow it down for landins on the deck.
As a huge Douglas fan and one who has speaking of the genius of Ed Heinnemann for years, I would love to see a retrospective of his career. To me, Ed is up there with Jack Northrop and Kelly Johnson but doesn't get the recognition (along with Kartveli) he surely deserves. An idea would be for a series covering the titans of design (of course starting with Ed!).
When I was in college, and planning to go into Marine Corps aviation, I scored a wall-sized poster of the Blue Angels diving toward the camera in delta formation, flying the A-4. It covered a whole wall of my dorm room, and was impressive, to say the least
Hi Mike: You probably don't remember me, but I'm a docent at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. One of my favorite of your work is the commemorating a cruise of the USS Forrestal, where the entire Carrier Air Group was composed of Douglas aircraft.
I did advanced training in TA-4J's, VT-24 at NAS Chase field, Beeville, Texas, 1981. Culmination of a boyhood dream, and I even survived it, which is nice.
Thank you so much for these videos. I really haven’t cared about airplanes for a long time . I still have my Air Classics subscription but sometimes I wonder about why I keep that up . Now aviation is fun again I feel like the kid growing up at the duster strip that can’t wait for the next magazine or can’t wait for the next airshow . And a special thanks for the time you spent talking about Col Stapp . I never met him but will always greatly admire him for being a boss that wasn’t afraid to do what the people under him were expected to do . Thanks again .
Nice overview. It made me do some mental comparisons of Douglas aircraft vs. McDonnell aircraft. To me, Douglas aircraft always gave the impression of of being at least handsome, if not good looking designs with names that were uplifting to the morale, like Dauntless and Sky Warrior. McDonnell aircraft, on the other hand, always seemed odd looking and sinister, appropriate to their names of the spirit world. The strangest was the XP-67, and though it didn't have a spirit name, 'Bat' was fitting. I guess the Banshee was sort of ordinary, but when Douglas an McDonnell got together I always thought it was a strange marriage.
Great observations, thanks! Biggest difference in the two companies was that Douglas built all types of aircraft, from airliners to Navy attack planes, missiles, large Air Force cargo transports, and even a business jet (PD-808 with Piaggio). By contrast, McDonnell in St. Louis primarily built Navy jets. Two very different corporate philosophies. By the mid-1960s, Douglas was in serious financial distress and James McDonnell, seeing an opportunity to enter the commercial airline business, acquired the company in a merger in April 1967.
Appreciate the comment Jim, thanks, and just realized I slipped and said "Nakka" in the Chuck Yeager tribute video posting this Friday, sorry. Let's just say that wasn't Yeager's favorite organization!
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Always a thumbs up for anyone giving love to the Douglas Aircraft Co. My favorite aircraft company because they built so many different types of aircraft. It's sad they don't exist anymore but what a history. And this is just a sliver
Agreed 100%, and appreciate the comment, thanks!
The skyhawk Blue angels were incredible. Saw them many times growing up at the Reno Air Races right in my back yard.
You are a treasure chest of aviation history.
Another great one Mike.
This is the best thing I ever saw.
Appreciate the comment, thanks!
Loved seeing my old ship CV 59 in that painting …. Even in 1980 the Navy was still flying the A-3 on Electronic Warfare Missions … and watching them launch and land … you see how they got the nickname ..!
Cool video, and I enjoyed the references to R.G. Smith's works. The painting "Hornets over the Eisenhower", mentioned at 10:41, was hanging at the Prologue Room when I visited in 2019. The Prologue Room is in the former McDonnell Douglas headquarters building on the east side of the St. Louis airport. The hours are not regular, but it's worth a visit to anyone with an interest in McDonnell Douglas history.
I've had the pleasure of working on the TA-4J Skyhawk, and since 2000 the same with the T-45C Goshawk.
Mike--A great episode I just discovered. As an aviation enthusiast and pilot "of a certain age," I love the airplanes of this era. Your generosity in acknowledging and featuring the work of RG Smith is to your credit. Thank you for that.
Appreciate the comment, thanks! R.G. was not only a legendary artist, but a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
The Dauntless and the Skyhawk are two of my all time favorites. Luckily at the air museum I worked at for years (the Kalamazoo Airzoo) has both of them.
The Dauntless was one we restored after it had crashed in a carrier training accident and ended up on the bottom of Lake Michigan for over 65 years! Now she looks like new.
The A-4 we have is an A-4G that was part of the Royal Australian Navy. She still has the RAN markings on her.
If you're ever in West Michigan the Airzoo in Kalamazoo is a great aviation museum that I would thoroughly recommend visiting.
Loved this Mike. Incredible photos and artwork.
Thanks for this I miss the Skyhawks with our RNZAF👍✈️🇳🇿
My Dad would have loved this, he flew on the SkyWarrior during Vietnam and was apart of Avionics development with Syscon in the 80s for the Hornet. His first Air Craft carrier was the USS America. Thank You for the history... He would have been proud to have seen this video.
Thanks Scott - really appreciate the comment. Your Dad lived in the Golden Age of Naval Aviation!
Thanks Mick for you story of the A-4E and the A-4. Been an avid fan of yours. I served 3 Pacific cruises on three different ships, the ranger, cony and the hancock . I got out in 1968. Flew off the hancock in the cod. What a ride🤪. Gary K
Oh, boy. Thirteen minutes that went by so fast I had to replay. You lived the aviation like few. Thanks for sharing your experience and work with me.
Thanks Mike, Awsome
Very informative. And some great photos of Douglas aircraft.
Nice presentation, Mike. Thanks for giving due to the great A-4 Skyhawk. I am proud to have served my 4 Navy years from 1966-1970 in an A-4 squadron (VA-192, the "World Famous Golden Dragons"). In that period we did 3 WestPac cruises, two in the Ticonderoga; one in Oriskany. Skyhawks were tough little birds, effective bombers, easy to maintain and very forgiving of our 19-22 year old impatience and occasional carelessness. Best airplane in the fleet.
Great comment thanks, and Skyhawks forever!
Just want to thank you, Mike. These videos you are doing, which I have just discovered, are very well done. I sure have been familiar with your art and books for many years, I'd never heard your lilt, and as a narrator, its timeless. You could be 25. And, more to the point, I like- I have always liked- your subject matter. As a kid in the '50's, getting in trouble in school for drawing massive WWII air battles when they expected me to be focused on math or something, to flying gliders and round engine airplanes, and other things too, aviation history and art has been a passion. I've gotten to know some aircraft designers, PAA flying boat guys, Bickles and Breiglebs, and rare for me, knew in their presence to shut up and listen. Now my son is a Delta pilot. And you bring so much of what I like back to me in a pleasant, gentle way, reminding me of so many years. And--as a finish--I spent hard earned cash 60 years ago to buy and build a wooden door on pulleys as a flat pin-able surface I could lower onto my bed for plastic and then Guillows models. Good times. Again, thanks. Ken
What a wonderful comment - many thanks, Ken!
I LOVE Navy Aircraft! My uncle was a sailor from '66 to '85 or '86 and he instilled that pride in the US Navy.
My opinion, and most, Navy Pilots are the world's greatest. The aircraft are too notch too. Douglas especially, made awesome Navy Planes
Agreed on all points, thanks!
The original Skyrocket looks like the same plane Bogart flew in the movie"Chained Lightning".When I had the chance to go on a field trip to Edwards,the Skyray was being evaluated because it was to hot for carriers,they were trying to find a way to slow it down for landins on the deck.
As a huge Douglas fan and one who has speaking of the genius of Ed Heinnemann for years, I would love to see a retrospective of his career. To me, Ed is up there with Jack Northrop and Kelly Johnson but doesn't get the recognition (along with Kartveli) he surely deserves. An idea would be for a series covering the titans of design (of course starting with Ed!).
Agreed, and great suggestion, thanks. It was an amazing era with every company having its "Chief Designer!"
love those mid 1950s - 60's naval aircraft..
When I was in college, and planning to go into Marine Corps aviation, I scored a wall-sized poster of the Blue Angels diving toward the camera in delta formation, flying the A-4. It covered a whole wall of my dorm room, and was impressive, to say the least
Hi Mike: You probably don't remember me, but I'm a docent at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. One of my favorite of your work is the commemorating a cruise of the USS Forrestal, where the entire Carrier Air Group was composed of Douglas aircraft.
Thank you Michael!
I did advanced training in TA-4J's, VT-24 at NAS Chase field, Beeville, Texas, 1981. Culmination of a boyhood dream, and I even survived it, which is nice.
Great comment, thanks!
Awesome stuff. Thank you, Mike!
Glad you liked it, thanks!
Thank you so much for these videos. I really haven’t cared about airplanes for a long time . I still have my Air Classics subscription but sometimes I wonder about why I keep that up . Now aviation is fun again I feel like the kid growing up at the duster strip that can’t wait for the next magazine or can’t wait for the next airshow . And a special thanks for the time you spent talking about Col Stapp . I never met him but will always greatly admire him for being a boss that wasn’t afraid to do what the people under him were expected to do . Thanks again .
Many thanks for your wonderful comment. Greatly appreciated!
I was a tower controller at MCAS El Toro, '73-76. We had 2 A-4 squadrons on the base, VMA 214, WE, the Black Sheep squadron and VMA? YU had TA-4s
Very cool! I supported VMA 214 Skyhawks as an artist at Douglas in 1979.
The F4D Skyray is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made, IMHO.
Agreed 100%!
Nice overview. It made me do some mental comparisons of Douglas aircraft vs. McDonnell aircraft. To me, Douglas aircraft always gave the impression of of being at least handsome, if not good looking designs with names that were uplifting to the morale, like Dauntless and Sky Warrior. McDonnell aircraft, on the other hand, always seemed odd looking and sinister, appropriate to their names of the spirit world. The strangest was the XP-67, and though it didn't have a spirit name, 'Bat' was fitting. I guess the Banshee was sort of ordinary, but when Douglas an McDonnell got together I always thought it was a strange marriage.
Great observations, thanks! Biggest difference in the two companies was that Douglas built all types of aircraft, from airliners to Navy attack planes, missiles, large Air Force cargo transports, and even a business jet (PD-808 with Piaggio). By contrast, McDonnell in St. Louis primarily built Navy jets. Two very different corporate philosophies. By the mid-1960s, Douglas was in serious financial distress and James McDonnell, seeing an opportunity to enter the commercial airline business, acquired the company in a merger in April 1967.
where's the TBD Devastator?
Great presentation, Mike. I love the closing photo which shows a Grumman Cougar aiming its 20 mm cannons at the Douglas hangar. Poetic indeed.
Interesting observation!
Mike, a new joiner here, but your name is very familiar, your style here is fantastic!
Many thanks!
Liked seeing the “FLY DOUGLAS JETS.” In the last shot. Now “FLY DC JETS” on he Mercedes building in Long Beach
Any chance of a version on Grumman? It would be a perfect “bookend”. Fantastic video!
Great idea, thanks! Some good possibilities with this subject.
Plenty of subject matter; Wildcat, Hellcat, Panther, Tomcat....
Ed Heinemann "Mr. Attack Aviation" a great bio if you can find it
Do a Grumman one !
It's in the works, thanks!
Afraid you overlooked the cargo aircraft Douglas the R4D, the R5D, and my favorite, the little R3D. From an old sailor.
I’ve always wondered why there is no Skyknight in the mural, any story behind why?
I served on the Forrestal 1985-1988
When I was in engine school in ‘75 we got to do engine turns o the A-4. Man, that cockpit was TINY!
A4 SKYHAWK ; a.k.a Heinemann's "hotrods"
Thank you for saying "N_A_C_A" rather than the annoying "Nakka"
Appreciate the comment Jim, thanks, and just realized I slipped and said "Nakka" in the Chuck Yeager tribute video posting this Friday, sorry. Let's just say that wasn't Yeager's favorite organization!
skyray jet..........................
Drawings really! Poor vid.