Royal Malaysian Air Force

Point of Contact - Squadron Duty Officer (SDO)

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Royal Malaysian Air Force 6 and 9 Squadrons.

TUDM (TENERA UDARA DIRAJA MALAYSIA)

1982: Eighty-eight surplus Skyhawks were contracted for purchase from the United States in 1982, for use by the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM, or Royal Malaysian Air Force) ordered 88 A-4s (25 A-4Cs and 63 A-4Ls), delivery starting in 1984. The TUDM wanted these planes refurbished into 54 single-seaters and 14 two-seaters. Thus we assume 20 /ac for parts, included the need for two cockpits for the TA conversions. The aircraft were designated A-4PTM and TA-4PTM (Peculiar To Malaysia was a moniker attached in the U.S., "PTM" does have a meaning in Malaysian). TUDM purchased the 88 surplus ex US Navy A-4C and A-4L Skyhawks and Grumman Bethpage refurbished 40 of the air-frames into the PTM configuration.

1985: From Sean Campbell, who worked on the conversion to PTM: "I happened upon your website. I worked for Grumman on the A-4 PTM project. The 38 or so single seaters were completely restored at the Grumman facility in St. Augustine, Florida with Joe Walters as President. The two operational trainers were stretched at Grumman Beth Page on Long Island, New York. These modified forward sections were then shipped to St. Augustine for assembly.
You know, for some reason I only remember delivering 2 trainers, but the photo of this trainer was the contract completion photo. The TA-4 is clearly numbered #6. You can just see the top of my head and dark sunglasses just below the DANGER stencil on the intake. In the aircraft #40 image you can see me standing center-right, next to the man in the plaid red jacket. The man kneeling front-center in the flight jacket is the Malaysian Air Force Test Pilot, Major Mohammed Alwi. The photos include members of the Malaysian Government and Air Force. I no longer remember their names, but I worked closely with them. 

TA-4PTM BuNo 145104, M32-06, contract completion photo, St. Augustine, FL, 1985. I'm standing far left. Photo from Sean Campbell.

TA-4PTM BuNo 145103, M32-06, contract completion photo, St. Augustine, FL, 1985. You can just see the top of my head (Sean Campbell) and dark sunglasses just below the DANGER stencil on the intake. Photo from Sean Campbell.

A-4PTM BuNo 149608, M32-40, in the paint hangar, St. Augustine, FL, 1985. Photo from Sean Campbell.

A-4PTM BuNo 149608, M32040, contract completion photo, St. Augustine, FL, 1985. You can just see me (Sean Campbell) standing center-right, next to the man in the plaid red jacket. The man kneeling front-center in the flight jacket is the Malaysian Air Force Test Pilot, Major Mohammed Alwi. Photo from Sean Campbell.

Grumman Plaque

Only 40 PTM Skyhawks, 34 single seat versions and six two-seat trainers, were delivered. The six two seat trainers were converted from single seat versions and look similar to TA-4F. The remainder were kept in storage in the United States awaiting delivery. But It seems that when Malaysia came to claim the remainder of the Skyhawks they could not provide proof of ownership, and so the undelivered Skyhawks remained in the U.S.A. at a storage yard. See Marana Regional Airport.

Y2011 update: The Marana stored Skyhawks have now gone to museums and to restorers who intend to fly them. With 34 single and 6 two seaters delivered to Malaysia; and with the two seaters utilizing two each single seat cockpits; it is assumable that a total of 46 a/c were used in the creation of the 40 a/c delivered.  88 ordered minus 46 utilized leaves 42 a/c untouched and left in the U.S.A and stored at Marana. Marana also had Skyhawks unrelated to the Malaysia deal stored there.