In contrast to the rapid development and replacement of carrier-based jet fighter types prior to the 1960s as described in my book, U.S. Naval Air Superiority, attack airplane types tended to stay on the front line for many more years. An example is the Douglas AD Skyraider, seen here in the late 1940s with the Grumman F8F Bearcat and the early 1960s as the A-1 with the McDonnell F-4 Phantom. Development of carrier-based Navy attack aircraft is the subject of my next book, Strike From the Sea, to be released in early 2009 by Specialty Press.

My thanks to Bob Lawson and Ed Barthelmes for the AD and A-1 photos respectively.