Douglas A-3 (A3D) Skywarrior

1952

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Douglas A-3 (A3D) Skywarrior

The largest and heaviest aircraft designed for operation from an aircraft-carrier when the Douglas El Segundo division's project design was completed in 1949, the Douglas A3D Skywarrior originated from a US Navy requirement of 1947. An attack bomber with strategic strike capability was envisaged, tailored to the giant new aircraft-carriers that were ultimately (after prolonged opposition from the USAF) to materialise as the 'Forrestal' class of four ships, as it was believed that the moment had come to exploit the potential of the rapidly-developing gas turbine engine.

The Douglas design was a high-wing monoplane, with retractable tricycle landing gear, two podded turbojets beneath the wing, and a large internal weapons bay to accommodate up to 5443kg of varied weapons. The wings were swept back 36° and had high-aspect ratio for long range, all tail surfaces were swept, and the outer wing panels and vertical tail folded.

The first of two prototypes made its maiden flight on 28 October 1952, powered by 3175kg Westinghouse XJ40-WET3 engines, but the failure of this engine programme meant that the 4400kg thrust Pratt & Whitney J57-P-6 powered the production A3D-1. The first of these A3D-1s flew on 16 September 1953, and deliveries to the US Navy's VAH-1 attack squadron began on 31 March 1956.

In 1962 the designation was changed to A-3, the initial three-seat production version becoming A-3A. Five of these were modified subsequently for ECM missions under the designation EA-3A. The A-3B (previously A3D-2) which entered service in 1957 had more powerful J57-P-10 engines and an inflight-refuelling probe. A reconnaissance variant with cameras in the weapons bay was designated RA-3B (A3D-2P), and EA-3B (A3D-2Q) identified ECM aircraft with a four-man crew in the weapons bay. Other designations include 12 TA-3B (A3D-2T) trainers for radar operators, one VA-3B (A3D-2Z) executive transport, and the final variants in front-line US Navy service were KA-3B inflight-refuelling tankers and 30 EKA-3B tanker/counter-measures/strike aircraft. Skywarrior variants still in service include TA-3B crew trainers, EKA-3B early-warning 'aggressor' trainers, and KA-3B tankers with Squadrons VAQ-33 at Key West and VAQ-34 at NAS Point Mugu, together with an NA-3B test aircraft operated by the Naval Weapons Test Center and NRA-3Bs with the Pacific Missile Test Center.

A3D-1 Skywarrior

Specification 
 MODELA-3B
 ENGINE2 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10 turbojets, 4763kg each
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight37195 kg82001 lb
  Empty weight17876 kg39410 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan22.10 m73 ft 6 in
  Length23.27 m76 ft 4 in
  Height6.95 m23 ft 10 in
  Wing area75.43 m2811.92 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed982 km/h610 mph
  Cruise speed837 km/h520 mph
  Ceiling12495 m41000 ft
  Range1690 km1050 miles
 ARMAMENT2 x 20mm rear-firing cannon, 5500kg of bombs

3-View 
TA-3B SkywarriorA three-view drawing of TA-3B Skywarrior (1000 x 555)

Comments1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120
jim velde, e-mail, 22.04.2009 00:31

us air force flew it as the B-66 and RB66 i believe

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jim velde, e-mail, 22.04.2009 00:30

us air force flew it as the B-66 and RB66 i believe

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Dan Smith AMS3, e-mail, 30.10.2008 04:41

VAP-62 1964-66. Great plane. I was low power turn qualified on the A3D, what power! I still have my VAP 62 name tag

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Charles Lindberg. Capt. USN, R, e-mail, 14.10.2008 02:48

First flew the A3D at Patuxent River in 1955 and have since flown almost 2000 hrs in this beautiful bird, including development of loft tactics in VX-5, Director of training in the A3D RAG Squadron, and CO VAH-2. Loved every minute of it.

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Charles Lindberg. Capt. USN, R, e-mail, 14.10.2008 02:46

First flew the A3D at Patuxent River in 1955 and have since flown almost 2000 hrs in this beautiful bird, including development of loft tactics in VX-5, Director of training in the A3D RAG Squadron, and CO VAH-2. Loved every minute of it.

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Silver, e-mail, 14.07.2008 10:12

Got to fly this plane in El Centro and had my last Navy hop in the Whale. Enjoyed it's power and range. We were able to use it for many parachute tests while sharing it with the Cat and Arressing people on the East Coast. Had many a hook-up getting fuel from the A3 used as tankers and electronic jamming on our missions off the Hancock in VN. Many F8 pilots enjoyed the extra fuel we got from the A3 over the A4 tankes. Great seeing the A3 come aboard a 27 Charlie, especially at night. The F8 was tough enough, but not that large. It was a mini Tin Cloud for us.

Loved flying this plane especially at El Centro and not on the ship.

I was a Crusader driver most of my career.

Need one of you Whale drivers to comment on the fleet flying of a single pilot aircraft that was one of our most valuable planes on the ship. Never thought I'd have so much to say about the A3. It was a great plane.

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Dan Eidson, AQ 2, e-mail, 02.05.2008 17:51

Served with VAP 62 at NAS Jacksonville, FL from 1967 to 1969, then with VAQ 33 in Norfolk, GA from 1969 to 1970. The "Whale" still has first place in my heart among the planes. Vappers, email me.

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Joe Champagne, e-mail, 05.04.2008 04:03

I was a plane captain in VAH-5 in 1960-61 on the USS Forrestal and had the privilege of flying as 4th crew several times on this aircraft. What a thrill!

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Ron Sebosky ATN2, e-mail, 22.05.2007 04:04

VAP-62 Nas Jax 1964-1966.
The best years of my life.

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