A-4 Full Load

[Finn]

MERs on all stations with rocket pods, don't why it's loaded like that probably just for show:

 

Jari

[Tony T]

 

That looks like a "photoshop" picture or Section III of the Vulgarian Navy's manual on "how to blow yourself up".

 

Tony 

[Joe Hegedus]

Concur with Tony.  The outboard pylons weren't able to carry that load, and loading rocket pods on the aft MER stations is 1. useless, and 2. a good way to kill yourself.  

[Finn]

This is the caption for the photo:

 

G. Verver

 

USS Hancock VA-164 Ghostriders A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151110, NP-473, inflight with LAU-68/A 7 shot 2.75" FFAR's on five MER's, 1968-1969.

 

Jari

[easixpedro]

I’m guessing it’s just after VA-164 came home from their 1968 deployment. Likely during work ups prior to going back to Vietnam. I’m guessing it’s a ferry flight from Lemoore to NAS Fallon and they just loaded it up to get ‘em there to use em on the ranges there. Obviously not usable in that configuration, but that’s enough for an entire squadron to train with....

Just my .02 worth

-Peter

[Dave Williams]

Ferrying the pods makes sense.  The rear bottom pod on the outboard MER is empty, so it’s likely they all were empty.  Also, the frangible nose cone wasn’t used much in actual combat, but would probably help with reducing drag on a ferry flight.