A-3 Skywarrior aka "The Whale" (Image Heavy)

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 10:08 am

The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was designed as a strategic bomber for the United States Navy and was among the longest serving carrier-based aircraft in history. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991. Throughout its service, it was the heaviest operational aircraft to operate from aircraft carriers, earning its nickname, "The Whale." Its primary function for much of its later service life was as an electronic warfare platform, tactical air reconnaissance platform, and high capacity aerial refueling tanker.

The Skywarrior is one of only two U.S. Navy attack aircraft intended as a strategic bomber to enter full-scale service (the other being its predecessor, the North American AJ Savage). The carrier-based supersonic North American A-5 Vigilante was also originally designed for strategic nuclear strike missions and initially, very briefly, supplanted the A-3 in that role beginning in the early 1960s. However, with the removal of aircraft carriers from the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP), the realization that very high altitude penetration of the Soviet Union was no longer feasible, and the transfer of the U.S. Navy's strategic nuclear deterrence mission to the Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine force, the Vigilante saw its mission changed to carrier-based tactical air reconnaissance.

A modified derivative, the B-66 Destroyer, served in the U.S. Air Force until the early 1970s as a tactical bomber, electronic warfare aircraft, and reconnaissance platform.
(Wikipedia)

RA-3B Skywarrior/Bu. 144846/GD-210 of VAQ-34

EA-3B Skywarrior/Bu. 146452 from Fleet Reconnaissance Squadron VQ-1 Det.64 World Watchers in flight over the South China Sea.

EKA-3B Skywarrior of Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 130 being readied for launch from the carrier Constellation (CVA 64) steaming off the coast of Vietnam in 1972.

Malo83 · **Joined:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:31 am **Posts:** 309

Loved the Whale, I was stationed with VQ-1 in Guam from 72-75 turning wrenches on the old A3, I remember that tail paint job when I was detached to NAS. Cubi Pt when the whales would fly in off the boat, VAQ-130 was the rag outfit in Alameda for the A-3's, that's where I got my training on the A-3 prior to reporting to VQ-1, sad to see that PR 03 was scrapped in 91.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 12:07 pm

Malo83 wrote:

Loved the Whale, I was stationed with VQ-1 in Guam from 72-75 turning wrenches on the old A3, I remember that tail paint job when I was detached to NAS. Cubi Pt when the whales would fly in off the boat, VAQ-130 was the rag outfit in Alameda for the A-3's, that's where I got my training on the A-3 prior to reporting to VQ-1, sad to see that PR 03 was scrapped in 91.

I was on Guam from ~1973-76 as a kid. My father was in VQ-1 as a flight engineer on EP-3 Orions. He used to be in VQ-2 with EA-3 Skywarriors before switching to Orions.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 1:42 pm

The pilot of an A3D Skywarrior of VAH 4 takes a wave off during flight operations on board the carrier Lexington (CVA 16) on March 19, 1959.

KA-3 Skywarrior. (Source: Unknown)

EA-3 Skywarrior of VQ-1 on Guam, early-mid 80's (Source: Unknown)

EA-3 Skywarriors - Bu. 146449, 144854, 142671, 144834, 144840, 144831.
(Source: Unknown)

A-3 Skywarrior over Agana, Guam. (Source: Unknown)

A3D-2 Skywarrior, Bu. 142247, preparing for carrier launch. This aircraft was modified into a KA-3B tanker in June 1967.
(Source: Unknown)

A-3 Skywarrior preparing for carrier launch of the U.S.S. Forrestal. (Source: Unknown)

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 1:59 pm

A3D-2 Skywarrior, Bu. 142650 (CN: 11713), flying over San Francisco (Source: Unknown)

A-3 Skywarrior (Source: Unknown)

KA-3 Skywarrior with a A-4 Skyhawk and a F-8 Crusader. (Source: U.S. Navy)

A3D-2 (A-3B) Skywarrior, Bu. 142240, from VAH-4 off the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31). (Source: U.S. Navy)

An A-3 Skywarrior have a bad day. (Source: U.S. Navy)

Two A3D-2P (RA-3B) Skywarriors, Bu. 146446 (CN: 12398) & Bu. 146447 (CN: 12399), of VAQ-33.
Both were converted to ERA-3B in September 1972. (Source: U.S. Navy)

An all black, unmarked A-3 Skywarrior returns to the carrier. (Source: U.S. Navy)

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:10 pm

A camouflaged U.S. Navy Douglas RA-3B Skywarrior aircraft of reconnaissance squadron VAP-61 World Recorders (BuNo 144846) with its cameras arranged before the plane. VAP-61 was used for reconnaissance over Vietnam until disestablished on 1 July 1971. This aircraft became an ERA-3B in 1982. It was later sold to Hughes and Raytheon (civil registration N547HA) and finally scrapped in 1999.

A-3 Skywarrior, Bu. 135427, fitted with a F-14 Tomcat radome and launching a Phoenix missile.
This aircraft was used as a test platform for the Phoenix missile development program.
(Source: Unknown)

Three EA-3 Skywarriors led by a EP-3 Orion. (Source: Unknown)

An A-3 Skywarrior making a RATO assisted take-off. (Source: Unknown)

A plane handler directs an A3D Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 11 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) on August 1, 1962

A3D-2 Skywarriors spotted on the flight deck of the carrier Midway (CVA 41) at Pearl Harbor on Aug. 23, 1959

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:23 pm

The assembly line at Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo, California, on September 9, 1954.
Showing A3D Skywarriors being built. Next to them are versions of the AD Skyraider under construction.

EA-3B Skywarrior of VQ-1 traps on board the carrier Constellation (CVA 64) in the South China Sea, 1974

EA-3B Skywarrior of VQ-1 pictured in flight, 1974

An EA-3B Skywarrior of VQ-1 on approach for landing at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, 1983

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:45 pm

An EKA-3B Skywarrior of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 13 off the carrier Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) pictured on the ground at Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda, California, on December 28, 1967.

A view from the island of the carrier Coral Sea (CVA 43) shows an A3D-2 Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 2, an F8U-1P Crusader of Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (VFP) 63, and a WF-2 Tracer of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 11. This image was taken on December 20, 1961

A3D-2 Skywarriors of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 2 pictured on board the carrier Coral Sea (CVA 43) as she steams in the waters off Hawaii on December 20, 1961

An A-3B Skywarrior/Bu. 142237 of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 4 prepares to launch from the carrier Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) on February 4, 1963

A3D Skywarriors of HATWING 1, mid-1950s.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:56 pm

An EA-3B Skywarrior of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 pictured about to hit the deck while trapping on board the carrier Constellation (CVA 64) following a flight over the Indian Ocean on November 28, 1974

An A3D-2 Skywarrior/Bu. 142661 of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 5 flown by the squadron commanding officer, Commander Augustin Smith, launches from the carrier Forrestal (CVA 59) during operations with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea on March 11, 1961

A-3 Skywarriors of VAH-4 DetEat CubiPoint

A-3 Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 10 off the aircraft carrier Constellation (CVA 64) in flight on June 12, 1964

A3D-2 Skywarrior (Bu. 138955) of heavy attack squadron VAH-9 Hoot Owls pictured after its nose wheel collapsed during recovery on board the carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60), 1959-1960.

phil65 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:57 pm

When I was in A&P school at Hanscom Air Force Base, Raytheon had a few of them on the other side of the airport.

Phil

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:25 pm

Three EKA-3B Skywarriors of Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 133 in flight over the Western Pacific, with one of the aircraft conducting in-flight refueling of an F-4 Phantom II of Fighter Squadron (VF) 213.

A-3 Skywarrior/Bu. 138974 of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 11 on final approach for recovery on board the carrier Independence (CVA 62) on October 20, 1962

ERA-3B Skywarrior/Bu. 144827 assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 33 supporting the Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG) pictured in flight on August 12, 1976

A-3 Skywarrior, Bu. 144865, of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 1 in 1973

an RA-5C Vigilante of Reconnaissance Attack Squadron Five (RVAH) 5 refueling from a KA-3B Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 2 while flying over the U.S.S. Ranger (CVA 61) on June 6, 1964.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 4:19 pm

A Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior/Bu. 138948 of heavy attack squadron VAH-9 Hoot Owls launches from the waist catapult of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60), during the NATO exercise "Operation Strikeback", in September-October 1957. A McDonnell F3H-2M (BuNo 137053) from fighter squadron VF-61 Jolly Rogers is positioned on the catapult while a Douglas F4D-1 Skyray of VF-101 Grim Reapers is waiting to be launched.

U.S. Navy and Royal Navy aircraft during aerial refueling in 1962-1963. The U.S. Navy aircraft are from Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) which was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) to the Mediterranean Sea from 3 August 1962 to 2 March 1963 (l-r): A McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom II from Fighter Squadron VF-74 Be-Devilers; a Vought F8U-2 Crusader (BuNo 146909) from VF-103 Sluggers; a F8U-1P (BuNo 146895) from Light Photographic Squadron VFP-62 Det.59 Fighting Photos; a Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk (BuNo 147801) from Attack Squadron VA-83 Rampagers; and a Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior (BuNo 142661) from Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-11 Det.59 Checkertails.
Two Royal Navy aircraft from HMS Hermes (R12) are lining up for refueling (l-r): a Supermarine Scimitar F.1 (XD244) from 803 Naval Air Squadron, and a De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1 from 892 NAS.

Two Douglas KA-3B Skywarrior (BuNos 142654, 142665) and a Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo 149992?).

A U.S. Navy Douglas A-3 Skywarrior aircraft on the ground at Naval Missile Center, Point Mugu, California (USA). Three aircraft are visible: A-3A BuNo 135409, this aircraft was retired to the MASDC as 2A0103 on 7 July 1974; EA-3A BuNo 130361 or 130363, NA-3B NuNo 138938, this aircraft was retired to the MASDC as 2A0116 on 6 May 1987. photo No. 1996.253.4176

An U.S. Navy Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior (BuNo 138964) of heavy attack squadron VAH-9 Hoot Owls is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60), 28 May 1958. VAH-9 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Three (CVG-3) aboard the Saratoga for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 1 February to 1 October 1958. This A3D-2 was the personal aircraft of the Commander Air Group (CAG) of CVG-3. Also visible are seven McDonnell F3H-2N Demon fighters of fighter squadron VF-31 Tomcatters and a single Vought F8U-1 Crusader of VF-32 Swordsmen. photo No. 2008.122.009

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 4:45 pm

Two U.S. Navy Douglas A-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 138955, 138967) from fleet replacement squadron VAH-123 Professionals in flight. Both aircraft were converted to KA-3B tankers in 1967. photo No. 1996.253.3843

A U.S. Navy Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior (BuNo 138953) from Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-11 Checkertails landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62). VAH-11 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42). The photo was probably taken inthe Mediterranean Sea, where both carriers often operated during the early 1960s. Note the Piasecki HUP Retriever plane guard helicopter from Helicopter Utility Squadron HU-2 Fleet Angels which operated from the Independence until 1963. photo No. 1996.253.3726

A U.S. Navy Douglas A-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 138974) from Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-4 Fourrunners Det.G dropping a Mk 83 454 kg bomb in South Vietnam. VAH-4 Det.G was assigned to Attack Carrier Wing 16 (CVW-16) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) for a deployment to Vietnam from 5 April to 16 December 1965. photo No. 1996.253.3594

A U.S. Navy Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior (BuNo 142661) from Heavy Attack Squadron 5 (VAH-5), Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8), from USS Forrestal (CVA-59) refueling a Royal Navy Supermarine Scimitar F.1 (s/n XD244) of 803 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Hermes (R12) in 1962-63. The aircraft are accompanied by a Vought F8U-1P Crusader (BuNo 146895) from Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 62 (VFP-62) Det. 59 Fighting Photos. photo No. 1996.253.3627

A U.S. Navy Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior (BuNo 142661) from Heavy Attack Squadron 5 (VAH-5), Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8), from USS Forrestal (CVA-59) refueling a Royal Navy Supermarine Scimitar F.1 (s/n XD327) of 803 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Hermes (R12) in 1962-63. The aircraft are accompanied by a Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk (BuNo 147801) from Attack Squadron 83 (VA-83) Rampagers. photo No. 1996.253.3626

Malo83 · **Joined:** Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:31 am **Posts:** 309

Wow! keep them coming Scott great job, what was your fathers name?

Clifford Bossie · **Posted:** Fri Aug 18, 2017 11:20 pm

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A-3 Skywarrior aka "The Whale" (Image Heavy)

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