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The Douglas Skyhawk first flew in 1954 and was America's principal naval and marine light attack aircraft for over 20 years. The A-4 entered service with the US Navy and US Marine Corps in 1956 and played a leading role in the Vietnam War between 1964 and 1973. The type flew the greatest number of missions and suffered the heaviest losses during that lengthy conflict. It became known as the 'scooter' by pilots because of the way it scooted like a model aircraft when launched by catapult off a carrier deck.