Yes! The VFM is partnering with the A-3 Skywarrior Association to save EA-3B BuNo 146453 by bringing it to the VFM and placing it on static display! Please go to the A-3 Skywarrior Association website to donate
http://www.a3skywarrior.com/. The A-3 Skywarrior, affectionatly known as the Whale because it was the largest aircraft to operate from an aircraft carrier. This particular aircraft is an electronic countermeasures variant which served in Vietnam, the Cold War and Desert Storm. It is the most complete EA-3B left in the Boneyard in Arizona. The estimated cost to disassemble, transport and reassemble from Tuscon to Fort Worth is approximately $25,000.00 + another $25,000.00 for static restoration. The A-3 Association is taking on the challenge of raising the funds, coordinating the move and maintaining it once it has arrived. They have already saved several other Whales at other locations so they have the experience and expertise. The VFM has made a formal request to the Navy for the aircraft and since we already have several other items on loan from the Navy (the L-5 hanging from the ceiling and a few engines) it should not be a problem to get approved.
Once the aircraft arrives, it will be put on display on a concrete pad just south of the main hangar in the same general area that aircraft have previously been displayed in the past. The goal is to be able to offer interior tours of the aircraft.
Here is a YouTube video of the actual aircraft we are trying to save,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Ufjc6V4c0. None of this will be possible if they are unable to raise the money to move the aircraft.
This is a unique opportunity to expand the VFM's exhibits to include a very historic, sometimes unsung hero and workhorse for the Navy for 40 years. Our mission is to preserve America's aviaiton history and pay tribute to everyone who served. This aircraft will enable us to honor yet another segment of our proud history.
Many of you on WIX are aware that Raytheon ceased A-3 operations recently, in fact the last flight of an A-3 took off from NAS Fort Worth JRB as the last flyable Raytheon A-3 departed after a fuel stop on it's way to Pensecola.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr7CJibs4hcHere's the A-3 Skywarrior Associtions' Donation Drive Information Sheet:
Quote:
This SAVE-THE-WHALE alert is issued by the A-3 Association for Action
On Oct 28 1952 the first A-3 Skywarrior flew and yet today is still operational with Raytheon Flight Test Operations. The A-3 was originally designed
to deliver an atomic bomb from Essex and Forrestal class aircraft carriers to combat the Soviet threat during the cold war. As that mission
was taken over by the Poseidon class submarines, the Skywarrior evolved into a conventional bomber, airborne tanker, electronic and photographic
reconnaissance, electronic jammer, trainer, VIP transport and airborne test bed. Douglas Aircraft Company designed, tested, and built 283 A-3’s
for the US Navy and 296 B-66’s for the US Air Force.
The Mission
Recently, the A-3 Skywarrior Association was notified by Raytheon that A-3 flight operations have ended. The remaining aircraft at Davis-
Monthan are now re-allocated to museums that have the money to move, restore, and display them. Our present day mission is to acquire one of the
remaining Whales and relocate her to the Vintage Flying Museum at Meacham in Fort Worth:
http://www.vintageflyingmuseum.org/This museum is conveniently located off major highways I-30, I-20, and I-35 and only 30 minutes away from DFW airport. Fort Worth is rich in
aviation history with NAS Fort Worth and Lockheed Martin just a few miles from Meacham. This will be a great spot for her and a great museum
to be a member of and/or volunteer your time with restoration activities, however our immediate need is raising dollars.
The Goal
Phase One: By June 2012 raise $50,000 to ensure that we have the funds needed to acquire and restore an A-3.
Phase Two: Secure NMNA assignment of 146453 to Fort Worth and 146455 as the donor aircraft
Phase Three: Move jet to Pima holding area, remove empennage, and ship overland to Fort Worth
Phase Four: Restore 146453 to Desert Storm livery and display at Vintage Flying Museum
How You Can Help
Skywarrior BuNo 146453, (see above), was built in 1960. This “Whale” was stationed at VQ-2 in Rota from 1960 until 1991 performing electronic
reconnaissance. Donations of any size will make a difference, periodic donations add up over time, and large donations are wonderful (makes my
job easier). This is probably our last A-3 project and as always, will be funded by individuals who commanded, flew, and maintained Skywarrior’s.
We will save this piece of aviation history for future generations to see but we need your help to preserve this great aircraft and tell the carrier based
Whale story. Some or all of your sponsorship and/or donations may be tax deductible.
Thank you for your support,
Mark Swisher
Treasurer, A-3 Assn
4225 Inspiration Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76126
mark.swisher@att.netCell: 817-819-6623
FWIW my both of my son's grandfathers are connected to this type, my dad was a crew chief (yes, it runs in the family) on RB-66's in Europe and his mom's dad was a navigator on A-3's for two tours in Vietnam (yes, he's a member of the A-3 Assoc. too). It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all........
Here she is currently in the Boneyard
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This means that there is now enough money to pay for dismantling and trucking the A-3 from Davis-Monthan to Meacham Airport in Fort Worth!!! If you'd like to contribute go to 
