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...