As I said half-seriously yesterday - bring back the Douglas Skyraider (if there are any left out there!)
ISIS is the viet cong, without jungle cover. What better, cheaper, more durable system to bring max firepower down on them?
The Bronco & Skyraider would kick ass against ISIS, esp with some upgraded weapons packages.
Your biggest problem with the A-1 Sky raider would be the R-3350 radial engines. Other than a few air racers I doubt you’d find any parts.
This is why they are pushing the Embraer Super-Toccano and it’s turbo-prop engine.
“What better, cheaper, more durable system to bring max firepower down on them?”
You were speaking of the Skyraider. It’s a fact that since the A-6 was introduced every change has made the carrier ground attack package have shorter legs, and less weight on target. Losing the A-6 and A-7 and A-4 and going only to F-18 was a loss in strike range and weight.
Losing the F-14D was another blow. The Super Hornet is less than the original.
And now we are going to go to the F-35. The shortest ranged, less weapon carrying attack plane we’ve had since the 1950s.
You aren’t entirely off base.
Here’s a link to the present inventory at Davis Monahan Boneyard in AZ, with serial numbers:
Snake and Nape would be perfect for the muzz.