Another A-6 question

Tom,

While I do not have a ton of evidence, I suspect the hole on the left side of the aircraft is there as an exhaust port for the instrument package located right in front of the tail hook.  However, it should only be on the left side, and only on an A-6E TRAM.  Look thru you pictures, and I suspect the hole will be there if there is an extra scoop located on top of the plane and on the left side. This scoop was added with the TRAM modification. I can find no evidence for a hole on the right side at all.  My guess is the right side hole is an error.  Hope that helps.

John

John,

Thank you, I will double check. I'm doing a VMA(AW)-224 AC on Coral Sea in 1971-72. Their AC did not have them. I'm just curious about them.

Thanks Again,

Tom

Checked a bunch of photos today on Google. It showed clearly on the A-6E TRAMS. I found 3 non-TRAM AC that also had it. They were 1556xx bureau number AC. May have been A-6A's rebuilt to A-6E's but not fitted with the TRAM equipment. At any rate, I'll be filling them in.

Tom