Introduced during the Vietnam war, the A-6 is one of the finest attack aircraft ever built. Continuously improved to carry new sensors and ordnances, the A-6 was finally retired from US Navy service to be replaced by the F/A-18E Super Hornet. This decision has been very vividly criticized.
1. A-6A BuNo 155595 of VA-165 Boomers in Fallon, Nevada, in october 1971, shortly before embarking on board USS Constellation for Vietnam.
2. A-6A BuNo 154153 of VA-196 at Moffet Field in 1968, shortly before leaving for Vietnam on USS Constellation.
3. A-6E BuNo 158535 of VA-34 on board USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), October 1976.
4. In 1972, VA-65 received brand-new A-6E Intruders in replacement of its A-6As and promptly painted them in squadron colours as shown here on BuNo 158533.
5. A-6E TRAM BuNo 154137 of VA-128 flew in low-viz markings in California in 1993.