Although marked as TA-4F, this is a NTA-4F, with the N assigned in de Naval designations for a permanent test airframe. The nosecone section reveals the deviation with a normal trainer. This Skyhawk made its first flight on 30 Jun'65 and was assigned to VA-125 in 1966. In Apr'71, it was modified to NTA-4F and it never saw operational fleet squadron service again. First assigned to the Naval Air Test Center, then temporarly to transferred to VF-43 (modex 23) before it was assigned as a ground trainer to NATF Lakehurst (NJ. Then moved to the NWC (modex 042). Preserved at China Lake since Oct'96