---
product_id: 6738928
title: "Scooter: The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Story Hardcover – September 21, 2011"
brand: "tommy thomason"
price: "¥16474"
currency: JPY
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/6738928-scooter-the-douglas-a-4-skyhawk-story-hardcover-september-21
store_origin: JP
region: Japan
---

# Scooter: The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Story Hardcover – September 21, 2011

**Brand:** tommy thomason
**Price:** ¥16474
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Scooter: The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Story Hardcover – September 21, 2011 by tommy thomason
- **How much does it cost?** ¥16474 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/6738928-scooter-the-douglas-a-4-skyhawk-story-hardcover-september-21)

## Best For

- tommy thomason enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted tommy thomason brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Full description not available

## Images

![Scooter: The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Story Hardcover – September 21, 2011 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Yr3aJaAHL.jpg)
![Scooter: The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Story Hardcover – September 21, 2011 - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41KWshqzVAL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Thomason never disappoints
  

*by J***S on Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2012*

One suspects that this book had gone through much of the editorial and production process before Specialty Press left the publishing business and became a distributor only. It gives every hint of being a Specialty product even though it was ultimately published by Crecy in the UK.This book reads like a greatly expanded version of one of Thomason's Ginter Naval Fighters monographs. The Ginter monographs were of one off or very small production run aircraft and could be dealt with in depth in a limited number of pages. The A-4 was produced over 25 years and 3000 copies; nothing less than a full length book would suffice.The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (thankfully we were not subjected to cringe inducing descriptions like McDonnell-Douglas A-4 Skyhawk or (shudder) Boeing A-4 Skyhawk) has a legendary reputation not only as a very effective combat aircraft but as an almost supernatural design. It is inevitably cited as what could be achieved if a designer is sufficiently "serious" or "ruthless". Myths of how Heinemann produced an aircraft that weighed only half of what the Navy said it should are told and retold.Thomason as always puts all of this in its proper context and perspective. The A-4 design and what made it what it was and how it stacked up to its contemporaries (and successors) over the years is gone into in thorough detail. Along the way we are treated to outstanding graphs, tables, and photographs that perfectly complement the text. One can hardly read any section of the text without the perfect illustration appearing right beside it. There are also some interesting chapter notes that appear in the back. Some are referential but other expand on the text.In short, this book cannot be recommended highly enough. Thomason is a brilliant and engaging writer and I cannot imagine that there are many people who could read this book without learning a great deal about the Skyhawk in particular, or carrier aviation, or Navy bureaucracy, or cold war strategy, or any number of other subjects in general. Finally, Thomason has a very understated witty style that brings out a smile on almost every page.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Comprehensive history of an important warplane.
  

*by R***T on Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2014*

Tommy Thomason's "Scooter" offers a full history of one of the more important aircraft of military aerospace history.  The Skyhawk was ahead of its time in a number of ways, both conceptually and aerodynamically. It should come as no surprise that the designer, Ed Heinemann, went on to play a leading role in the development of General Dynamic's F-16, which incorporated many of the same principles of the Skyhawk (small size, light weight, simplicity, 'talied delta' configuration, impressive range/payload, agility).My only major criticism is the lack of first-person accounts of flying the aircraft in combat.  There were pilot testimonials, but for all the action this aircraft saw in Vietnam, the Middle East, and even the South Atlantic, I would have like to have seen some first-person accounts of actual combat missions.A minor criticism I also have is the lack of detail on the matter of Israeli modifations.  They were the largest user of the type outside of the U.S., and also one of the longest users; their weapons trainers are in the twilight of their service in the IDF even today.  In particular, passing reference is given to the "Crystal" upgrade carried out on most Israeli Skyhawks, but no detailed descriptions is given as to what this consisted of.  I would like to know this, so if anyone reading this has more information on this  topic, I sure would like to know.Otherwise, an excellent volume, however.  I was quite amazed in particular at reading about what the New Zealanders were able to do with this aircraft in terms of getting the full potential out of the design.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Superb!
  

*by A***Z on Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2011*

One of the best books ever written on the A-4.  Just when you thought there was little else to be revealed about this famous attack aircraft, a book like this comes along and opens your eyes again.As with Mr. Thomas' other books, this is written with a goodly amount of detail, yet in an eminently readable style.  Also, unlike too many books on a particular aircraft, this books tells its story "warts and all". It talks about the brilliance of the design and what it does, but also is open about where the problems were.  It shows the A-4's capabilities to great advantage, and also honestly discusses why it was replaced in naval service (the A-7 may not have been as much fun to fly in a good pilot's hands, but it was a considerably better attack aircraft--of course it was also newer).  The myriad models and stillborn variants are clearly covered in detail, and there are enough "war stories" included that this doesn't just end up as some dry tome.This book is highly, HIGHLY recommended.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.jp/products/6738928-scooter-the-douglas-a-4-skyhawk-story-hardcover-september-21](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/6738928-scooter-the-douglas-a-4-skyhawk-story-hardcover-september-21)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Japan*
*Store origin: JP*
*Last updated: 2026-03-18*