Uncle Dick Posted August 14, 2022 Share Posted August 14, 2022 So many questions with this photo (via evilbay) where do we even start? 1. What is the reason for painting bombs red (looks to be faded to a pink)- or is the red bomb actually something else like a fuel tank or converted cargo pod? 2. If it is a bomb it looks like a Mk84 2,000 pounder? 3. Assuming it is a bomb where is the fuse located? or this a dummy bomb - I ask as the nose is conical and does not have a typical stick and pin fuse protruding from nose, nor is it painted in typical live ordannce colors olive drab with yellow stripe around nose fuse area. Note it also appears to have same type of ordance on port side of wing. 4. Any details on where photo was taken and date - Chu Lai Vietnam perhaps? 5. Anyone have any photos of port side of the aircraft? 6. Nose art " Supercat" would that also be on port side of nose? 7. Squadron crest on intake looks atypical not the usual Tomcatters crest. 5. Any decals of this particular Scooter in 1/72? It would make a cracking subject! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted August 14, 2022 Share Posted August 14, 2022 Shooting from the hip, without my references at hand: the Navy had a napalm tank that looked like that. Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boman Posted August 14, 2022 Share Posted August 14, 2022 Napalm is correct. In the early years, the napalm bombs where colored red. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted August 14, 2022 Share Posted August 14, 2022 The bombs are Mk-79 napalm, they were red mostly but green as well: Jari 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 (edited) Looks like it's a white bomb the cat is sitting on: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5479387738759395&set=gm.1479858779134749 edit: another view: Jari Edited August 15, 2022 by Finn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Dick Posted August 16, 2022 Author Share Posted August 16, 2022 (edited) Thanks for that Gents, most informative unfortunately could not find more photos of A-4E WL-00 151105 "Supercat"... (so that colour photo appears to be a rare image of her) joe baugher has the following serial history for 151105: 151105 (MSN 13275) 1964: VA-23. 1965: VA-56. 1965: VMA-311. 1965-66: VMA-224. 1966: VMA-331. 1966: H&MS-37. 1966-67: VA-93 as NF-313. 1967: VMA-121. 1967: VMA-211. 1968: VMA-311 as WL-20 (VMA-121) shot down by ground fire near Ba Long/Quang Tri, South Vietnam May 5, 1968. Pilot ejected and was rescued by Marine helicopter Another image of said Mk 79 Naplam from Chu Lai via facebook Edited August 16, 2022 by Uncle Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 On 8/14/2022 at 7:11 PM, Finn said: Mk-79 napalm Are those Mk-84 type shaped and sized? https://bulletpicker.com/bomb_-1000-lb-fire_-mk-79.html Confused, because it's called 1000 lb fire bomb in the link... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Duvalier Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Ah yes, the infamous "Hellfire Bomb" from the film Iron Eagle. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAVY870 Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Dahmn thats a good looking aeroplane. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 Some more Mk-79 pics: even the F-4 dropped them: Jari 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepy Pete Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 14 hours ago, exdraken said: Are those Mk-84 type shaped and sized? https://bulletpicker.com/bomb_-1000-lb-fire_-mk-79.html Confused, because it's called 1000 lb fire bomb in the link... Thanks! Shaped, yes, more or less. Sized no. The Mk.79 is 167.96 inches long, the Mk.84 only 151.5 inches. It is also lighter because the skin needs to be much thinner to make it work. It has to rupture to spread the napalm. The Mk.84 has a much thicker skin. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shalako Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 On 8/14/2022 at 7:18 PM, Boman said: Napalm is correct. In the early years, the napalm bombs where colored red. I concur. These are napalms. The F-100s/ USAF also had them painted red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggyfoos Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 Late to the discussion, but to try to address your questions you asked about the A-4 in particular: 4. Any details on where photo was taken and date - Chu Lai Vietnam perhaps? Yes Chu Lai, probably around 1966. 5. Anyone have any photos of port side of the aircraft? I've not seen any unfortunately. 6. Nose art " Supercat" would that also be on port side of nose? Very highly likely. The squadron CO's marked WL-1 "Topcat" had its name on both sides. For "Supercat" WL-00 the MAG CO's name would've also been painted on the left side, similar to the plane captain's name seen in the pic. 7. Squadron crest on intake looks atypical not the usual Tomcatters crest. It was more typical during short period in 1966 into maybe early 67. 5. Any decals of this particular Scooter in 1/72? It would make a cracking subject! Not that I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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