[frithguild]

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.

By the looks of this A-1J, truer words were never said.

[Bidimus1]

The USAF has been about “boom and zoom” since well.. there has been a USAF.

COIN aircraft are low cost low impact and not beloved by the USAF by and large.

A modern choice could be The T6 Texan-2 stable mate the AT-6 Wolverine. Which would make learning curve nearly flat and support fairly easy compared to a new or very old aircraft.

http://defense.txtav.com/en/at-6

Sky Raiders use pretty much the same engine as the B-29 (FIFI is using Sky Raider engines now) and are not exactly low cost low maintenance.