LAU-7A Sidewinder rack on an A-6

Thanks, I have just one little tidbit more, Warbid Tech tells us that they were restricted to flying straight and level bombing missions for a while with the MBRs, until the MERs got cleared for A-6 usage.

And it is very likely that the whole incident was over by the time VA-85 got to the theatre, the USN wanted to get the Intruder working as fast as possible.

So, I will confine models to the VA-75 birds, at least we can know those carried MBRs for sure, I will go with the surviving aircraft, with MBRs, Mech Fuzes, and Level Bombing. That way I don't have to search for decals for one of the 3 lost aircraft.

I can use Electrical Fuzes on the Skyraider that was loaded with 3 full MBRs, and 12 rocket pods, stateside. (not kidding, it is a cool photo)

I hope you have a smooth build

Rex

A-6A MBR /MER/TER change

Rex,

All I've found so far is information from Morgan and Morgans book "Intruder". On 7/24/65 VA-65 suffered their third loss in ten days. An investigation was conducted which resulted in a change from electrical fuses to mechanical fuses on the MK.82's and a change from MBR's to MER / TER on the A-6's. VA-85 didn't go on line until 11/26/65, according to Morgan and Morgan, but there is no mention of whether they used MER's and TER's exclusively. Sorry I can't come up with more.

Tom  

Don't know if I have anything that would help pin that down, but I'll be glad to check. If I come up with anything I'll let you know.

Tom

yes, VA-75 on Indy.

I am trying to find info to determine the dates of the switchover to MERs, since Kittyhawk's VA-85 cruise started a bit after Indy's and their cruise overlapped VA-75's for a few months.  Until I know for sure, it is possible that VA-85 had the same deal happen, even if it were for a shorter time. (without the 3 lost aircraft, of course)

Part of the problem must have been related to airflow under the Intruder, since Marine Crusader units continued to use the MBR on their F-8's for a few more years. (or it was just another case of the Marines using up the cast-offs)

It is good news, and if at some later date, the "possessor of specific knowledge" shows up with the photos we'll all learn something. That's good too.

That would have been VA-75 aboard Independence, wouldn't it?  I've read a little about the problems with the MBR's.

Tom

oh yeah, I remember that now.  You had asked about BuNos and Modexes, and we didn't find very much in books or at GoNavy to be of much specific help.

The good news is that if you can't find the exact numbers to build the model, no one should be able to come along and claim you are wrong. :)

I have a 1/72 Intruder in the "gathering parts phase". It will be the first half of the first Vietnam shipboard cruise, when they only had MBR's for the bomb racks, before they found out that they HAD to use MER's for safety's sake on the A-6. The free falling MBR wasn't getting the bombs safely clear of the aircraft, so they needed the Ejector Racks ASAP. Luckily, those decals already came in the stack of Fujimi A-6A kits I bought, so all I have to do is finish a second pair of MBR masters, with the rear racks in the farthest rearward position. (MBR's had two position rear racks instead of being two position on their mounting lugs)

Rex

An A-6A from VMA(AW)-224 aboard Coral Sea in 1972. Probably NL-501, using the new Furball decals. On the May 6th mission against the airfield at Bai Thoung, the lead AC, flown by CAG Roger Sheets and BN Charlie Carr was carrying 12 rockeyes and 1 sidewinder. The other A-6's were loaded with 16 rockeyes. I've not been able to confirm the nose number / bureau number of the AC they were flying, so I'll use a little modeler's license  and the decals I've got.

Thanks,

Tom

Glad you found what you needed.

What version and squadron are you hanging them on? Just curious, I love looking at Navair models.

Rex

Much success to report! The Hasegawa 1/48 A-4M has the complete set up. Everything I need to properly hang a sidewinder on an Intruder. Thanks again for the help.

Tom

It's amazing how easy it can be if you know what to look for. About ten minutes with the right terminology and I've got beautiful photos and drawings to work from. Probably got most of what I need in the spares box. Thank you again for your help. I really appreciate it.

Tom

Thank you very much! A googling I will go. This really helps a lot.

Tom

look for photos of an AV-8A Harrier with the Sidewinder mounted (not the AV-8B)

You will see the adapter between the pylon and the missile rail, then the Sidewinder mounted directly to the rail.

there were a pair of sway braces that tightened against pads on the adapter, that stuck out like tiny wings for the sway brace contacts to tighten against

Another place to see the 4 part setup would be photos of Sidewinder equipped Skyhawks, same system of pylon, adapter, rail and missile was used on those, also

some Google terms that might help are Aero 1A and ADU-299 adapter, Aero 3A and Lau-7 Launcher

Rex

Probably

Thank you. I figured it would have been centered on an outboard pylon, but wanted to be sure. Would there have been sway braces installed to steady it?

Thanks again,

Tom

www.chinalakealumni.org/.../154170%20A-6E%2013JUN89%20CLK%20AIM-9M%20LHL-257712.JPG

Thats all I could find