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Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>RA-5C>HA4704

RA-5C Vigilante "Ealge Eyes" 156642, USS Independence, 1970s
HA4704
General Background
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.
The Aircraft
Because of an early 1960s USN mission change the A-5 Vigilante production was halted and the high speed reconnaissance RA-5C variant was begun. The first RA-5Cs Vigilante was delivered in 1963. North American RA-5C 156642 was delivered to the USN in 1970 and assigned to RVAH-3. Over the next decade the aircraft served with five squadrons and a couple of them twice. In 1979 the aircraft was struck off charge and sent to the USN Weapons Center at China Lake, California and a year later salvaged.
Specifications :
Crew : 2 / tandem twin cockpits x Pilot in front cockpit, Reconnaissance Attack Navigator in the rear
Number of Aircraft : 91 new built, converted aircraft 43 A-5A and the first 6 A-5B = 140
Performance:
Engines : 2 x General Electric J79-GE-10 turbojets with each engine producing 17,859 lbs of thrust.
Maximum speed : 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h)
Range : 2,050 miles (3,300 km)
Service Ceiling : 52,100 ft (15,900 m)
Dimensions :
Length : 76 ft 7 in (23.3 m)
Wingspan : 53 ft 2in (16.2 m)
Height : 119 ft 5 in (5.9 m)
Weights :
Empty: 37,500 lb (17,000 kg)
Maximum: 79,600 lb (36,100 kg)
Avionics: AN/ASB-12 Bombing & Navigation Radar
Westinghouse AN/APD-7 SLAR
Sanders AN/ALQ-100 E/F/G/H-Band Radar Jammer
Sanders AN/ALQ-41 X-Band Radar Jammer
AIL AN/ALQ-61 Radio/Radar/IR ECM Receiver
Litton ALR-45 "COMPASS TIE" 2-18 GHz Radar Warning Receiver
Magnavox AN/APR-27 SAM Radar Warning Receiver
Itek AN/APR-25 S/X/C-Band Radar Detection and Homing Set
Motorola AN/APR-18 Electronic Reconnaissance System
AN/AAS-21 IR Reconnaissance Camera