RA-5C Vigilante by junge1

Photography • Aviation • posted on Apr 08, 2012

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

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...