Century Wings CW001643 | A-6E INTRUDER, U.S NAVY VA-65 TIGERS AG500 1972
A-6E INTRUDER
U.S NAVY VA-65 TIGERS AG500 1972
Scale 1:72 /Diecast model
Limited Edition, only 1000 Pieces Worldwide
General Background:
Grumman A-6E Intruder
Designed to meet a US Navy requirement for an all-weather carrier-based attack/strike aircraft, the A-6 Intruder was first flown on April 19th, 1960. The A-6 was equipped with a CRT that allowed for low-level flight in all weather conditions, a characteristic that helped it remain the US Navy and US Marine Corps' principle night and all-weather attack aircraft through the 1990s. With its large, blunt nose and lean tail, the A-6 was given a variety of unflattering nicknames, including "Double Ugly" and the "Drumstick." The A-6 served in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Somalia and Bosnia and was ultimately replaced by the F-14 Tomcat.
The Aircraft:
US Navy Torpedo Squadron 64 (VT-74) "The World Famous Fighting Tigers" was establised in 1945 flying the Curtis SB2C Helldiver. It was redesignated as Attack Squadron 2B (VA-2B) in 1946, then VA-25 in 1948 and finally Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) "Tigers" in 1959, now flying the AD-6 Skyraider. In 1965 the squadron began flying the A-6A Intruder before upgrading to the A-6E Intruder in 1971. The Tigers continued flying the A-6E through numerous deployments until it was finally disestablished in 1993.