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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 KA-6D is just one varient of the many versions of the A-6. It's refueling pods are accurately depicted. The Intruder isn't the sleekest aircraft out there but it's one of the few non-tanker aircraft to provide a refueling capability. 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, AJ-520. 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 KA-6D Intruder
In the early 1970s some 78 A-6As and 12 A-6Es were converted for use as tanker aircraft, providing aerial refueling support to other strike aircraft. The DIANE system was removed and an internal refueling system was added, sometimes supplemented by a D-704 refueling pod on the centerline pylon. The KA-6D theoretically could be used in the day/visual bombing role, but it apparently never was, with the standard load-out being four fuel tanks. Because it was based on a tactical aircraft platform, the KA-6D provided a capability for mission tanking -- the ability to keep up with strike packages and refuel them in the course of a mission. A few KA-6Ds went to sea with each Intruder squadron, and the retirement of the aircraft left a gap in USN and USMC refueling tanker capability. The USN S-3 Viking also has an aerial refueling capability, but its performance and fuel capacity effectively limit it to the role of recovery tanker. The loss of mission tanking capability was only later remedied by the new F/A-18E Super Hornet, which can act as a mission tanker.
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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