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The Grumman A-6 Intruder is a carrier-borne
ground attack aircraft in service with the US Navy. The A-6 first
flew in April 1960. It has served in several versions, including the
stretched EA-6B Prowler with a large radar on the top of the tail.
This A-6E is landing at NAS Miramar in 1988.
Note the drooped ailerons, a technique for reducing speed for
landing on aircraft carriers at sea. |
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LTV (Ling-Temco-Vought) designed the A-7 Corsair II
as a carrier-borne light attack aircraft to complement the heavier
Intruder. It first flew in 1965, and served with both the Navy and
Air Force. Despite its small size it can carry a very large weapon
load. The chin-mounted air intake gives it a distinctive (short and
fat) appearance. Several hundred have been built in many versions.
The top picture shows an A-7E of the Hellenic
(Greek) Air Force, painted in special markings, at Fairford in July
2007. The lower picture shows a two seat TA-7C of
the Hellenic air force, at Fairford in July 2005. |
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The Fairchild A-10 was officially called the
Thunderbolt II, but unofficially called the Warthog. It was designed
specifically to annihilate tanks on the battlefield, and is
effectively built around a massive seven barrel 30mm cannon. It is
quite slow, so is very heavily armoured. The engines are positioned
for minimum risk of damage if shot at from the ground. Needless to
say, it relies on total air superiority to fulfil its mission.
Several hundred have been built. This
one was at Fairford in 2005. |
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