Wittmund Skyhawks

[BigClick67]

Hello UKAR-community,
after several years of reading-only on this phantastic forum I would like to share a few pictures with you that might be of interest. Since this is going to be my very first post here I hope that I have chosen a topic that's of interest. As far as I can oversee it the Skyhawks from Discovery Air at Wittmund/Germany have only been covered here during their stop-overs at Prestwick almost a year ago on their delivery flights from North America to their new home of Wittmund, so it's about time to give a more detailed update on their current status.

Presently the DADS (or Discovery Air Defence Services) fleet comprises six ex-IDF/AF Douglas A-4N Skyhawks, with a seventh example due for delivery soon. From my own photos and a couple of recent articles on various aviation magazines the following aircraft are in use:
1. A-4N #337/C-FGZS, BuNo.158730, c/no.14337, ex-N260WL of ATSI. Arrived at Wittmund on 11th May,2015 as callsign DADIO01. Colour scheme: Arctic camo (grey/blue/white).







2. A-4N #367/C-FGZD, BuNo.159051, c/no.14367, ex-N267WL of ATSI. Arrived at Wittmund on 10th November,2014 together with #495 as callsigns DADIO01/02. Colour scheme: 2-tone grey.







3. A-4N #495/C-FGZE, BuNo.159823, c/no.14495, ex-N264WL of ATSI. Arrived at Wittmund on 10th November,2014 together with #367 as callsigns DADIO01/02. Colour scheme: grey/white (or light grey, if you like).









4. A-4N #531/C-FGZI, BuNo.159533, c/no.14531, ex-N261WL of ATSI. Arrived at Wittmund on 9th February,2015 as callsign DADIO01. Colour scheme: 2-tone grey.







5. A-4N #532/C-FGZO, BuNo.159534, c/no.14532, ex-N266WL of ATSI. Arrived at Wittmund on 16th March,2015 as callsign DADIO01. Colour scheme: grey/white (same as #495).



6. A-4N #534/C-FGZH, BuNo.159536, c/no.14534, ex-N269WL of ATSI. Arrived at Wittmund on 5th January,2015 as callsign DADIO01. Colour scheme: 2-tone grey.







7. The seventh aircraft is reported to be still in the U.S., undergoing repairs after an inflight fire during a functional check flight last summer. The exact delivery date is not known to me, but according to print media the aircraft's identity will be
A-4N #542/C-FGZT, BuNo.159544, c/no.14542, ex-N265WL, also ex-ATSI.



I hope that the pictures and the information are of interest. C&C welcome, of course.
Cheers, Chris

[toom317]

Nice. Always thought the A4 was a great looking aircraft, and you've got some cracking shots there.

[CJS]

Nice pics!

I'm being thick I know but what is DADS? Are these Canadian AF aircraft (I can't see any AF insignia but the Canadian flag is on the tail) and what is their role in Germany?

I know I could look it up on G***le but where's the fun in that?

Thanks, and thanks for sharing

[ericbee123]

I looked it up !

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v ... d-germany/

[capercaillie]

Are these Canadian AF aircraft (I can't see any AF insignia but the Canadian flag is on the tail)

Yes, just like the RAF own all of British Airways fleet.

Great shots BigClick, Skyhawks are fantastic little aircraft Would be nice if these got around a little bit more than the previous operator's fleet.

[Airwolfhound]

Gotta love the scooter, great shots and thanks for posting

[boff180]

A superb thread with a rarely captured type excellent captures too!

[BigClick67]

Nice pics!

I'm being thick I know but what is DADS? Are these Canadian AF aircraft (I can't see any AF insignia but the Canadian flag is on the tail) and what is their role in Germany?

I know I could look it up on G***le but where's the fun in that?

Thanks, and thanks for sharing

Thank you all for your nice comments These A-4s do not belong to the RCAF, but are civilian aircraft on the Canadian register! DADS stands for Discovery Air Defence Services and is the premier Canadian company for aerial target demonstration and threat simulation, not only for the Canadian, but also for the German armed forces. They are one of three companies that are providing this kind of service for the German military. They are on a five-year contract with the German MoD which started in January 2015. DADS replaced BAe Systems who were running this business for over 10 years, also with a fleet of former IDF/AF A-4 Skyhawks. I will give more detail on this subject in a following threat soon, covering the other two companies in this business in Germany. You will like it
Cheers, Chris

[Wissam24]

Oh my!

[Maisie]

Very nice, thanks for posting and answering on the other thread