[smartd]

Getting confusing ain't it?

[lanslide]

Yes! Please explain!

[David Hingtgen]

There's no way those are Mk83's. And I said "24 on the wings". Which is what it shows. We're discussing wing loads, not wing+center pylon.

30xMk83 is over 30,000lbs of bombs---double the max weight the plane can take. Plus they won't fit. Even just putting 3 per pylon results in a fore-aft overlap of tailfins and noses.

[lanslide]

Yeah but I thought you said the inboard wing pylons could only carry 5 bombs. 5+5+6+6=22. I'm obviously missing something here.

[David Hingtgen]

I said 22 for *Mk82's*. The 24 in the picture look like Mk81's.

Or perhaps you can take 24 Mk82 LDGP's, but only 22 Mk82 Snakeeyes.

[smartd]

I'll buy into they are either Mk 81 or Mk 82.
ultimately decision is yours Ian,... lots of info here and on the web.
Your model, your choice.

[lanslide]

I get it now...thanks guys. I now know what I don't know! I think the longer I hang out here...the more I will learn.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

A-6's can carry 5 Mk82 bombs on their inboard pylons. Only the forward inboard one must be removed.

Max Mk83 load is 10. (3 outboard x2, 2 inboard x2)

Here's a photo with 24 on the wings, but I think they're Mk81's:

Where'd you get that photo? I notice the plane has no numbers on it or lettering like "NAVY" or "MARINES" and I thought you should be able to see the refuelling probe from this angle...

[David Hingtgen]

One of the first results I got googling A-6 and payload. Definitely a test aircraft. (I don't have my scanner hooked up or I'd post a few underside shots clearly showing the normal configurations)

[smartd]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Where'd you get that photo? I notice the plane has no numbers on it or lettering like "NAVY" or "MARINES" and I thought you should be able to see the refuelling probe from this angle...

Photo is of 4th test A2F buno147867 before they became A6 NAVY is on tail. You can see the "Y"