Micro cache hidden at the eastbound rest stop on I-10 near Milton. The placement of this cache allows one the opportunity to take photos of the Douglas A4C Skyhawk located across the interstate at the westbound rest stop. 
The Blue Angels performed in A4F Skyhawks from 1974 until 1986.
However, this particular jet - bureau number 148490 - is actually an earlier model, A4D-2N, and never served with the Blue Angels, but is representative of the Skyhawks they once flew. The A4D-2N was redesignated as the A-4C in September of 1962.
The A4D-2N first flew on August 21, 1958. It became operational in February of 1960, with Marine Corps Squadron VMA-225. 638 of these fighters were built.
Two of the jets (148490 and 148483) were modified in 1961 for evaluation by the US Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama as a ground support aircraft. These planes were fitted with a drag chute stored in a canister underneath the rear fuselage and fitted with low-pressure twin-wheel main undercarriage members that retracted into enlarged fairings underneath the wings.
However, the government decided that the Army would employ helicopters as opposed to fixed-wing attack aircraft, and the two A4D-2Ns were converted back to their standard configuration and returned to the Navy.
Once returned to the navy, the A4C Skyhawk that you'll see displayed wound up with Navy attack training squadron VA-125, a.k.a "Rough Raiders", stationed at NAS Lemoore in California. This A4C, designated as "NJ-546", is depicted here in its true mission role and color scheme circa 1962.
The estimated cost to paint an A4 with the Blue Angel color scheme is $6500.
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