This raw POV footage was shot from A-4 Skyhawks operating as part of strike fighter squadron VA-83, also known as the “Rampagers”. At 3:12 the film shows aerial refueling of a group of fighters.

It’s not clear precisely when this material was shot, but VA-83 operated Skyhawks from 1960 through 1969. From 1960 to 1966 VA-83 made five deployments with CVW-8 aboard USS Forrestal to the Mediterranean Sea, the first still flying the A-4B, then two with the A-4C, and two with the A-4E. In 1961 and 1962 they won the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle “E”. In August 1962, a squadron A4D-2N Skyhawk cross-decked aboard the British carrier HMS Hermes. In late 1963 a detachment of VA-83 also operated from USS Lake Champlain providing fighter cover for Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Group 52 (CVSG-52). On 15 June 1966 they re-located to NAS Cecil Field in Florida. In 1966-67 and 1967-68 CVW-8 and VA-83 were deployed on USS Shangri-La, and in 1969 on USS John F. Kennedy. During the last two deployments the squadron flew again A-4Cs.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com