Vietnam-Era Fighter Asking ~$1M for 1960 Douglas Warbird

Aviators drawn to hypothetical window shopping noticed a new prize on the market this week when a 1960 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was listed for sale at an asking price of $995,000. Downright cheap in comparison to other veteran aircraft, often in multiples of the price when available at all. Not only collectible for its civilian airworthiness, combat pedigree, or historical value, the Skyhawk represents one of the few aircraft on the market that could provide a user with the full fighter-jet experience. 

The Skyhawk came from the exciting, fertile grounds of the early jet age, first taking flight in 1954 as a naval fighter and attack aircraft. Lightweight, robust, fast, and relatively simple, the Douglas plane found an extraordinarily long service life, flying to this day with the Argentine Air Force, service with the U.S. Navy to 2003. The Skyhawk, according to the historian, was given its name by the Douglas Aircraft Company in apparent ambivalence towards Cessna's best-selling Model 172 from the same era, leading to no small measure of confusion. This A-4 likely costs far more than an equivalent 172 of the same vintage, in any case. 

This aircraft has a surprisingly low lifetime total, having logged just 1,739 hours on the airframe since new. The Wright J65 engine has had 251 hours since its last major overhaul, undoubtedly saving some money for the next owner. The cockpit is outfitted with some more modern accoutrements, including Collins comm and nav systems, a Garmin 200 MFD, and a Dynon EFIS-D10 for easier flight through the more busy airspace required for jet operation. The sale includes a centerline baggage tank and twin 150 gallon drop tanks, an air start and starter probe, and unlimited bragging rights. 

FMI: www.platinumfighters.com