RA-5C Vigilante by junge1
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
This Vigilante, BuNo 156641, carrying the markings of RVAH-12, is on the flight deck of the USS Midway (CV-41), now a Naval Museum in San Diego Harbor.
The Vigilante was intended as a carrier-based heavy supersonic nuclear bomber. Development began in 1953, a contract was awarded on 29 August 1956, and first flight occurred on 31 August 1958.
The A-5s service coincided with a major policy shift in the U.S. Navy's strategic role, which switched to emphasized submarine launched ballistic missiles rather than manned bombers. As a result, in 1963, procurement of the A-5 was ended and the type was converted to the fast reconnaissance role. The first RA-5Cs were delivered to the Replacement Air Group (RAG)/Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), designated as Reconnaissance Attack Squadron THREE (RVAH-3).
Of the 10 squadrons of RA-5C Vigilantes commissioned, eight saw extensive service in Vietnam starting in August 1964, carrying out hazardous medium-level reconnaissance missions. Although it proved fast and agile, 18 RA-5Cs were lost in combat: 14 to anti-aircraft fire, three to surface-to-air missiles, and one to a Mig-21 during Operation Linebacker II. Due, in part, to these combat losses, 36 additional RA-5C aircraft were built from 1968 to 1970 as attrition replacements.
The final flight by a RA-5C took place on 20 November 1979.
Specifications (A-5A Vigilante)
Crew: 2
Length: 76-ft 6-in. (23.32m)
Wingspan: 53-ft 0 in (16.16m)
Height: 19-ft 4 3/4 -in (5.91m)
Wing area: 700-square ft ((65.1 square m)
Empty weight: 32,714 lb (14,870kg)
Loaded weight: 47, 530 lb (21,605kg)
Max takeoff weight: 62,953lb (28,615kg)
Power plants:
2 x General Electric J79-GE-8 After burning turbojet
Dry thrust: 10,900 lbf (48kN) each
Thrust with afterburner: 17,000lbf (76kN) each
Performance:
Maximum speed: mach 2.0 (1,149knots, 1,320mph, 2,123 km/h
Service ceiling: 52,100-ft (15,880m)
Rate of climb: 8,000ft/min, (40.6m/s)
Combat radius: 1,121 n mi, (1,289 mi, 2,075km)
This picture was taken on 26 August 2007.
Happy Easter, Sig...
Comments (35)
I remember building a model of this craft and then seeing one in person and in operation aboard the Enterprise. Very impressive aircraft Great capture
I saw one come in to the Marine Air Wing in Danang in 1967. A beautiful, big aircraft!
What a super location for this display. Great to see, Clive
Magnifica captura e informações meu amigo, aplausos (5)
I always thought this plane was a very modern design for it's time. It really doesn't look that different from today's fighters, considering it was built 60 years ago!
Great looking aircraft it does look modern even to today's aircraft!!
Great capture. I seem to recall this craft to - maybe it was from a model as well. Cheers
fantastic!!!
Great shot and information. The Midway Museum is one of my favorite spots along the San Diego waterfront - this shot shows why.
Outstanding capture of this beautiful plane!! Might have seen one or two of these in my days in Viet Nam!!
cool shots
Very nice aircraft and excellent capture and info sig...Happy easter to you..
An excellent capture of this very sleek aeroplane.
~Awesome machine!~
Excellent photo Sig...I can't believe that I have never encountered one of these somewhere. Guess that means I have to begin visiting some Navy museums for a change. Have to agree with comments above...this is very modern looking for a plane that made its first flight 54 years ago!
Very swoopy! Nice picture. :)
Wonderful capture my friend. God Bless.
A super shot of this sleek and beautiful aircraft.
Exellent shot.
SUPER LOOKING FIGHTER AND YOU HAVE CAPTURED IT SO BEAUTIFULLY EXCELLENT
its always amazing to see what the human mind invents to destroy the next of kin.
Looks great against the clear blue sky background!
Fantastischer Flieger!!!
Fabulous shot, hugely interesting Sig.. I to have never seen one of these.. But, that figures as the U.S. are very anti allowing their own aircraft into other museums abroad! Shame.. The only way I get to see U.S. aircraft is if they happen to appear at air shows or the RAF used them at one point and now they reside in a museum, but then that aircraft is in RAF colours.. Even more heartbreaking as an aircraft fan and I know at the Arizona boneyards and other places hundreds if not thousands of aircraft are rooting slowly, when some could have homes.. One of these (though unlikely,) would have been fabulous to see.. Thanks for showing Sig, and this in NO WAY is a slur against the U.S. just a plane fans POV! lol Rob
Very cool and superb capture my friend.
One of the most attractive aircraft ever built. Both streamlining and grace.
Outstanding capture of this beautiful plane!!
very nice palne
Wonderful capture! Happy Easter to you too! :)
Awesome plane!!!!!!!!