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About this Model
The Century Wings line of models are some of the most detailed diecast models available. The new A-6 by Century Wings seems to be no exception to that rule. The A-6 is one of the more unique aircraft out there. It isn't the sleekest aircraft out there but like other attack aircraft out there, it has quite a following. Century Wings captures the essance of the A-6 beautifully in this 1/72 scale model. This particular model is of VA-35, the Black Panthers. Only 2,000 pieces of this particular model will be made. We anticipate that this model will be available in early September. Quantities will be limited, please reserve yours now!
About the Grumman A-6E Intruder
The definitive attack version of the Intruder, introduced in 1970, with its first deployment 9 December 1971, with vastly upgraded nav/attack systems. The original search and track radars of the A-6A were replaced by a single AN/APQ-148 Norden multi-mode radar, and the onboard computers with a more sophisticated (and generally more reliable) solid-state electronic system. A new AN/ASN-92 inertial navigation system was added, along with the CAINS (Carrier Aircraft Intertial Navigation System), for greater navigation accuracy. Beginning in 1979 all A-6Es were fitted with the AN/AAS-33 DRS (Detecting and Ranging Set), part of the TRAM (Target Recognition and Attack, Multi-Sensor) system, a small, gyroscopically stabilized turret, mounted under the nose of the aircraft, containing FLIR boresighted with a laser spot-tracker/designator. TRAM was matched with a new AN/APQ-156 Norden radar. The BN could use both TRAM imagery and radar data for extremely accurate attacks, or use the TRAM sensors alone to attack without using the Intruder's radar (which might warn the target). TRAM also allowed the Intruder to autonomously designate and drop laser-guided bombs. In addition, the Intruder used AMTI (Airborne Moving Target Indicator) which allowed the plane to track a moving target (such as a tank or truck) and drop ordnance on him even though the target was moving. Also, the computer system allowed the use of Offset Aim Point (OAP), giving the crew the ability to drop on a target unseen on radar by noting coordinates of a known target nearby and entering the offset range and bearing to the unseen target.
In the early 1990s some surviving A-6Es were upgraded under SWIP (Systems/Weapons Improvement Program) to enable them to use the latest precision-guided munitions, including AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-62 Walleye and the AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile. After a series of wing-fatigue problems, about 85% of the fleet was fitted with new graphite/epoxy/titanium/aluminum composite wings.
A-6E models totaled 445 aircraft, about 240 of which were converted from earlier A-6A/B/C models.
Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE was established in ceremonies at NAS Norfolk on 1 July 1934 and at the time of its disestablishment in 1995 was the Navy�s oldest attack squadron. Through 60 colorful years of naval carrier aviation the Black Panthers saw many changes. They saw action on 28 U.S. and one British carrier, ranging from the old straight wooden decks of the USS RANGER (CV 4) to the steel decks of the nuclear-powered supercarrier, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). Originally designated VB-3B, the Black Panthers deployed aboard USS RANGER (CV 4) flying the fabric covered Great Lakes BG-1 biplane. During the next 60 years the squadron would fly the SB2U-2 Vindicator, SBC-4 Helldiver, two 2 versions of the SBD Dauntless, 4 versions of he SB2C Helldiver, 2 AD Skyraider models and 7 A-6 variants.In 1980, the Black Panthers became the first operational A-6 squadron to deploy with the forward looking infrared receiver and laser equipped A-6E TRAM aircraft. Responding to the hostage crisis in Iran, the squadron left the Mediterranean for the Indian Ocean onboard In August 1990 the squadron deployed once more for what promised to be a relatively easy summer Med cruise. Operation Desert Shield/Storm put an end to that idea quickly. The men of VA-35 would set many Navy firsts before their eight month combat cruise ended. Flying from the deck of USS SARATOGA (CV 60), the squadron was the first Navy squadron to drop bombs on Iraqi targets, the first to use Night Vision Devices in combat (over 300 combat hours with NVDs), and the first fleet squadron to drop high altitude Rockeyes, Gators, and DSTs (destructors) on Iraqi targets. Additionally, the Black Panthers flew nearly 400 strike sorties (all over 5 hours duration) and expended over 1.7 million pounds of ordnance.
In 1992 VA-35 completed another Mediterranean deployment aboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60), during which the squadron participated in several multi-national exercises which allowed the Black Panthers the opportunities to train over unfamiliar territory against foreign forces. The squadron flew low levels over France, Spain, Italy, and Turkey. 1994 found the Black Panthers once again aboard USS SARATOGA at sea in the Mediterranean and Adriatic, where VA-35 and CARRIER AIR WING 17 helped protect UN peacekeepers in Bosnia-Hersegovina, as well as engaging in exercises with several of our allies. Using their upgraded A-6E SWIP jets, the Black Panthers were capable of employing the latest weapons in the Navy�s arsenal, including Harpoon, Laser and Infrared Maverick, Sidewinder, Walleye, Shrike, HARM (High speed Anti-Radiation Missile), and SLAM (Stand-off Land Attack Missile) in addition to the Navy�s new GBU-24 hard-target penetrator, Laser Guided Bombs, cluster munitions, mines, destructors, and Mk-80 series iron bombs. This proved to be an especially historic cruise for VA-35 as it was both the last cruise of USS SARATOGA before her decommissioning, and the Black Panthers last cruise flying the venerable A-6 Intruder. On January 31, 1995 VA-35 was disestablished after 60 plus years of continuous service. |
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