Hobby Master Archive

A-5

The North American A3J Vigilante first flew on August 31, 1958 and was in service until November 1979. Originally designed as a Mach 2 all-weather bomber; the aircraft eventually had a new role of high-speed reconnaissance. In 1962 the Vigilante received new designators, the original A3J-1 became the A-5A, A3J-2 became A-5B while the reconnaissance version A3J-3P became the RA-5C and first flew June 30, 1962. The Vigilante was the largest and fastest aircraft to operate from an aircraft carrier. The RA-5C was heavily used in the Vietnam War.

North American RA-5C Vigilante 156624, RVA USS Kitty Hawk,1971

HA4701

RA-5C Vigilante BuNo 149299 RVA USS Nimitz, 1977

HA4702

RA-5C Vigilante 156610, RVA USS Nimitz, 1978

HA4703

RA-5C Vigilante 156642, USS Independence, 1970s

HA4704

RA-5C Vigilante AJ602/156624, LCDR Joe Gerber and LT Jomo Thomas, RVA USS Nimitz, 1978

HA4705

RA-5C Vigilante "Experimental SEA Camo Scheme" 150834/604, RVAH-13 "Bats", USS Kitty Hawk, 1966

HA4706

RA-5C Vigilante 149283, RVAH-11, USS Forrestal, 1967

HA4708