F A-3 mene c= in action = Aircraft Number 148 Cc ? Eeaiadroh/signal publicationsA-3 Skywarrior By Jim Sullivan in action Color By Don Greer & Tom Tullis Illustrated by Joe Sewell (LSS ~ = a ig Aircraft Number 148 4 squadron/signal publications‘an 490-290 (BuNo 142650) of VANS, The Savage Sone (ot Sanford) thundered ove {he meuntains ot Southern Ponce ting te Mwaeranean ruse whit aboard USS Forectlin the spring ot 1982, Dedication ‘This hoo is desc othe pl. read tbr wh werd a halo make the A 3 Skywane aces and who plonerd the wy forthe US. Nat's gest cased stant Two io Hie to dite ts my wie Lima an oS ad Cty or Being 0 eve ud ondeadng fer the ny hn contmed while his took cme opti Comma mesg anuo ato rntseaTions 1c Ai re Neo penn mt rept anal en ee ‘erne maps hy at share iat tl ep make Squadron ak hy Ire tering and chm theater Ary parapet tn le oped hee ‘retract The dor il aly reed Yor ny Pots el Peed te Sadr Mbt Ine Acknowledgments logins on he A Ska In pati I woul ke to wean th exary ‘fos pt fonh by Fst Cannet and roe Trombecky tose fs suo, My siete ‘has fall Bl at Tom Choe CCAM Cament ISN Ret) Tn Cu CCAPTSimde Gurl, USN (Ret) Reber F Dott. Dr. Coston Fas Bob ponte Joc Handles, DDS Janets CCAPTRI Hat, USN Ret) {Cha anon ox ay Dae Kosa Bob Lawson Ths HOOK, on Lim dia Mesto Ric Moszan owe Ose one a ‘ery Papal Ice Trmbesky CAPTHe®L Saber, USN (Ret) Don Sperng 1. carrying the modbs “20” onthe fin, tis AB0-2 (BUN 142235) of VANS, Det. was ‘Stached to Carrer Ar Wing Twenty ane na ew Fam the USS MIDWAY surg August fr 1858, In November ef 1052, ths Skywarior as lost In tg. (USH via Herold rareIntroduction fr as the vento thet nae and he ccd waste chology of mle weap tothe military that cer weapon wee beet stay The Amy Air Frc hae Beng 1.29 Sopeforves to deer nck py lal fo land bas, a the US. Navy aso waned he cpt 10 ine ch a om scar based fe With the see coun of te P2V-AC Repo, the Naty ase the capt he Pad Sought, bt withone esr lnkon. The Laie Nepine cal thc of rom eer dec th he help of ATO Uet Avs! Take Off, Thc was demonstra dri March of 198. The procs wa that sah a mission would Be coma tr rm theca, sine the Nepine ek he capt of ting ck san a ad woe nd se. The PV 3C Howe, provide eporary snr oth re dry mf the Nay. Tn February of T9S1 the Nor American AFI Savage sas inode othe ee and Became the fst optaona ter carr hed boc rw aly ied and «oul! hunch nd eevee des of i ca on a oun ap bass Te Sate andl for the deck eews to manage. THE Alc wat a ope combuaton powced byte ‘rat Whiey 2.09 bp 20-48 ral eggs st 60 fst Alea 35810 superset the P2V-3C: bower. Ihe Navy wanted an lle ack bombed be hgh ettol pds tha could provi The north American Ai Savage was the fst niles Ack srcratt operationally segned fo opraa Your rom Navy coer cack, Xmas powered Oy two peor {nd two jet engines that gave te avert atop apeed of 450 mph ThA (BUN {Bau solve oR! unr er Maro ing st eo Somes in bidding forthe contrat bt nthe ia analy led de to Caisse og ‘wih Douglas prsetng th st design de ode! $938, Thru the experienced ei ance of it Wcsiman, Dongle proved igitwcgh but sur concept tat was inially me. Hsininan proved them wring aml the fest XAAD-1 (uN 125412) wan competed As with any new acral, some design problems surfaced. but these were quickly resolved. In cart ight esing quchy became parent th the 7,000 x Westinghase 340 tbo jt engines were isin forthe bg Skywari, With he avaiaity of he moe poe were necesita by tis laze engine. including the station of lng engine nacelle a wronger engine plo. Dsvcloping ver 9500 pounds thr at mary power. the 57 dolveved stent power forthe Skywaie to mect ke denign fen. Fara mai lel take oe shart Hel operation, twene JATO bos cold beach provide ext ts These were installed on si atlacncat points oct on hath aes of the rear ne hase The prin design reiremont forthe Nays largest jt was the capil 0 deiner | tothe USAF States Air Conmrs (SAC). le hepa with its lear delve, cpa the Syma srrane was developed arvana ie by vey fee fst bomb bay uch ‘va large enough to bol te rather bully abd eavy 10.00 pound aleabomb "That placrent ofthe twa ai ofthe resin twin ‘Tho XASD-1(BuNo 125412) on he ramp athe Doug uring 1982. The prototype had tubular engine na fngines. Al ieterng aves White on anoveral Glassy Sea Blue nih sete forward Dorton of the engine naceles was mene in fed, (Douglas win Bruce Tombecly)Development saa ‘ASDA (Early) ag ‘A3DA (Late) ‘ASDA (A-3A)A3D-1/A-3A Skywarrior XAID-1 (Early) XA3D-1 (Late) Selre bang etre. the ov 7, iy ehanged 9 Gul ony spp Udersroces (USN vie Fred carmen)he por an stub ies. This ATO stallion ‘ote A (ao 18) oe ‘pee. (USN vr aol Ane fn 0. cons yer trap ao US FORRESTAL ding cin mati S30 on ape 158 Th ares tered to the “Aluminum Gree Because waste argest aera aboard the carer (Oouses “To Skywaior bad hydallefolng outer wing panel nd osing vertical tn, These erat are signed othe WATE fo ight Westend elution ane beth have he a aonon re inatled (Doug la Jim Meso)Specification Douglas A3D-1 (A-3A) Skywarrior es 6 eres 20001) fw 10.00 Pat Watney Tetons ann mp BES) Ta oo tat a67 2) “2000 as 3473)(sa Harld Anarews) oh wit Daylow Orange vert ths 9A (BUN 195495) was boing ec the Naval i Test Fatty, cahure New Jersey Grin 10. AaD-te war eee sted As ding Augusto 262 Ths mera haste tal gure repisea with EH aupment. The chevron an te tn was Dayglow Ortage bordred by Bac an Wie ‘Sips. (Coy Jenssonse srng oy i is AA Si No 152 a nado Sats an asignes tor grovn roning work at NAS Al “re Seu oragon unit nsinia was eae on he tran coetpt (lay Janson) ‘This ABD" (Bub 19513 of he US. Naval Ar Spi! Weapons Fay, made a wheel Up landing at Kitand AFB, New Meco on Saplemer "936, The Whale waa 2000 tember of 1989 when Iwas stoyed im 8 Seah (US. Now) ‘Wis 490-10 (BuNo 130961) wa ne hed arare converted ote electronic reconnsiaeA3D-2/A-3B Skywarrior Srna line eee ee 40" Dal ad Yad wens fo ht pd prs [tatiothe ren othe wnto02 on te moss (es aonay Wa Cy vaneten).Radome Development ASD-UA3A, 30.28.38 RANGER was sptte (parked) onthe eck sgn elevator during 198 Vite achome witha teriog i ack: fBuce Trombecky Catecon) USS FORRESTAL coring Ihe ship's Meiiranean crc n Feruary af 196% Plots ion (USN vi red Carmen 302 (uo 1202 of VAS delete went for ot decnertonog ete Were‘This A30-2 (Ba 142658) of VANES Savage Sons (based at NAS Sanford) was spo lst ora fe snd dino quay exis aboard USS FORRESTAL te coment Sciog 2 monty an bomber sos “ ped te port mingtp wha recovering abora USS FORRESTAL In February of 1062 (USN via Fea coment “ri A902 (42590) of VAH-S mae prt anaing rng routine ight operations ‘hoor he USS FORRESTAL during oy 1962 Skywarrs 608 and Gr cary the Eticloney "= manung on ha tuselage Danesh the eoekpiton a Wnts saa (USN vi Fred carment| a; practice ot fortve ighteg aang nyaarasony my Tail Cone Development ASD-1(A-3A) 830-2 (A-38) 890-2 (A-38)Specification Douglas A3D-2 (A-3B) Skywarrior (Early) rs00 pars 81128 8) ro 10.00 st Pat Yheney ‘ISrP-O nae ergres| swcTwo ot corn on rela! 12000 pods 00 (968) 000 fa (12 02)“Ths R38 (ue 2400 of VANS str wh Carer Ar Group Eleven sown USS Ete Hawe CVA.) ho ut wae bated St NAS Whidbey on, ocho wie Tue A (GUNo DE of VAN come tot oplyes (Oous Bach vis Say Season) = 38 Consreuarion one tne wos guy retresto ng ea. ing ov operators accentin Yorn Gl (UH amo nae ot aca nen Ong a Cri A board te USS CORAL SEA during le 1962 Al i cone fang replacing the orginal 2 gun ture (USM vis Peter replacement sarsoard apced beaks trom onal ign fr it peri rng ek seloge stands for Feet electroie Seppe Group on Spann At eateton) Highy motes and edctgnsted ae 8 NAB, tvs Sywarior (Duo 14208) nas baled fo'Vecinghousa fer research or racking Tory vance dng Februsry o 1988 Special pte! equipment ra inetaea nthe meta 830 fre festa ft Behind sm (nome Sor) " W oyNAS Nort " turing 1861. (USN via raid [signed io Cri Ale Group Eisen, this A202 (RuNo 14240) of VANE 2 pared on the ‘en A North nc aor on 38 Ah card he GP” gor onthe An 38 (BUND 4428 of YAO-190 gpd on th amp a! HATC Paint ver, fine The Symartor oriigued 8 KAB and few tanker mssone grin Maryland on 23 Apri 1972 Aer sare inthe Vein wa, Tacts Eleconis Warts {he warinViznam: (Say donaton) Seuuaon One ity won angno hej of alning AS crews on the Got cou, Ch Stier) Wis 498 (uo 142652) of VAH had the tanker achoge insted inthe amt bay for era retutng dues. The Skyworor hed jist recovered sbowd he USS KITY HAWK ‘hich was opersting inthe Tonia Gulf Of Vitam during 1955: (ona a)Refueling Package Refueling Capability syns,‘The XAaD-1 (BuNo 125412) prototype was powered by Westinghouse J-40 engines when it rolled out during 1952. This A-3A (BuNo 135435) was based at tho Naval Air Tost Facility (NATC) Lakehurst, New Jersey during 1964, This was the first production Skywarrior of the improved A3O-2 series. It entered service during June of 1957. ‘An A3D-2 (BUNo 138976) of Heavy Attack Squadron Eleven (VAH-11). ‘The unit usually deployed aboard USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. ‘A KA-3B (BuNo 138974) tankor of VAH-10 aboard USS HANCOCK during o i 7 1967. When not deployed aboard HANCOCK, the unit was based at NAS “1988747 North island, CA.‘This EKA-3B (BuNo 124452) of VAQ-131 served aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY during August of 1970 [A.TA-3B trainer (BuNo 144861) of RVAH-S at NAS Sanford, FL during May of 1967, ‘This RA-3B (BuNo 144840) of VAP.61 was stationed at NAS North Island, CA during 1968 between deployments to Vietnam. = ‘An ERA-3B (BuNo 144846) electronic wartare aircraft of VAO24 stationed . a Point Mugu, CA during June of 1988. These aircraft fen served a8 Sa Sector wees ona tone ne anaes ‘An EA-38 of Fleet Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1) aboard USS. 4 a RANGER during November of 1976.KA-3B Athoug as aly 2 1959, AXDAIA-M8 Skywasos ha the capably to ond sal refi i the mk package i was fi ha kas ess o expand this apa as "he wari Vc intend an he doi Unk vasa of the Ak eve Ove the oun of the war in Sores. Asia, one 400 ut daaae ica tee Tow om “The sevesion of he ASD.A-38 aires ws hall by ARF (Naval Ae Revark Faciiy) Alar, Cao, wh, hy the end of 1968 had comet igh ve ASD.2/ 3b mack boners tothe KAD eke enfguation. Al bring sien ws move ional iselage uel as as el an hn tiling hit were aed Unie Tankerpuckge, a ws removable in several hour, the KAIR changes mee fed and thos Whales served exclaely tare ‘More than 3.00 gallos of wale fel wa sto a es ars wre welcome sos for ps cong ofl stkes who were tow on fc or in danger rm bates. Te tanker veo ofthe Skwarie wan eewed hy tres. Othe ths the ec fin a Tain en he tote ofthe slags Hc fof he om bythe wa ieee ference inthe atack bomber an the taker versions KAv‘ils were pert te ab December of 1099 whe he est ae, sing with VAQ-S, wt tds fo NAS Pensola where its aow on dla athe Nval Avion nc, (Fig) An 38 (Bu 14628) of VAG-190 sna geri ctuntng wih RASC and F- {4 Phantom (Gute 152071) drng an ashow at NATC Palen River, Mryond 0025 ‘August 1873. The owievel pe wae guts crows placer. (im Suva) This KBB (BuN0 198978) was a decieste tarkar and seed wih VAK-1O aboard te USS HANCOCK ata pro! arr Al Wing TwentyOra Wahl bombing equipment ‘remove his Sywartios had singe role mission, sora tarkerThe aera wate Ing WAS North sand Catforia om 28 pr 197, (layJaneson) n‘This KA (BUNo 147656) of VAG-908 carted » “Whale” marking on 19 of the oral al. was reusing an A (uo 150982) of VA-13¢ a8 FAN om VE S01 wated fs turn during May of 4878. tres alert Reserves The Skywaclot card ‘numeral n te rear ofthe fuselage fo ake the antares to aan. (Sa Srombeely) ee on ek eee ate et ee Care ere ee RU are ore ead eee ter eeporenetiol eat beter eeneeey Pee rer ae an rr oe roa 7m‘This KAB Gutlo 14785) of VAN, ying over the Clorin const dung Maren of rocvotts USN iA. ale TE) VAL in» ad ig oto te el ke {WAS Alsmads Gallon daring Hovoner of 188° Te arr Air Group Fourteen sboard he USS RANGER. A vet tn nr, Wary Tw ‘ipod ons second WESYPAE (Ween Pate) ean. (Suy Sasson) ADAUAGA Wing Leading Edge Slats ‘Automatic Loading ages y A30-2/8-36 All Variants agesSpecification Douglas KA-3AB Skywarrior ates 6 eres 20001) est arenes 23m) fee Bins (6 8 mp TiS7 308 pus (16.3945) ‘3000 sounds (93,1024) Ive 19.900 bet Feet 8 Whinay nh (26554 100 ot (124508) S800 mie (2896.7)"he syaed Vking swore Supayed Wing Seve Toe sun modo sre unter wae cried on be eseaan ato mig wc a eatisn Se Se ciesss racrn ae eareaet M Sorters shone mentees tata nature bots on be fuselage anda Roa rucdo. (5. Mat), EKA-3B tushy sinker and 3 ECM sical Thi flew fom NARF AL completed hem KAaB ShywacsorsExtenill, the EKA-3B wa cally nile by the Your large teanopatape fseage Mister tat haved mucho the ECM einen and the eta EKA. configuration wer ans by hiyeninesirrames fom ASB an A black Ravens EKA.28 (BuNo 14262) onthe ramp at NAS Whidbey Ilan, Washington ‘uring 1968 Skywariors of VAO195 carted tno" maven on the fi The age se itgebtetre novsed ECM equipment and wee unique tothe RAE. (Pete Bower) ie‘nis shyuartiorreind tem merkings cared by VAr10 oor was redesignated {uno 1420) was fying ovr the (Gu ot Tenn enroute to USS HANCOCK on Jo March 10%. Tha Wnale mae Operaing ‘st Cantar i Wn Twenty-One. (USN i Peter Mersey) ‘an EKA36 (Butlo 142685) of VAO-190, Dot. rtuls a F4 BuNo 188555) Phantom ot (7.31 nigh over the South China Ses ring ren of 1972. Both aere ware yng trom to USS RANGER ona aougned to Carer Ai Ying Twa This Syurlr was Med tea wom on R38 by NARI Alameda one Served the Fle for twenty-one yrs an wecobe) Tis €KA-3B (Budo 182550 of VAVES, on he ramp a ts home por of NAS lames, Caltoms on 20 Decombor 1987 Beenuce ot the lesion othe ah ECM Bite, No4 BORE tre e498 (m0 10524) of VAO-10, Det. Hew wih Caer Alr Wing Fourteen of ‘parating of Vist nthe South Cina aea ding WESTPAC cuss an EKAB fiom the USS ENTERPRISE in June of 171. Tha Skywnrior wos ater los nan portional ‘VKG-19 Bet prepares to iunch tom USS ENTERPRISE curing dy of T97. These ‘ius 01673 of tho coast of nam’ (Bob LaweonTbe HOOK va tbe perlermed ECM dues. (ob Lavaow/The HOOK wa Bil Brsbon}. (pian An E98 (uo 142550 of VAG-129 oad for heey runway at prepares part NAS Ateugh dapan cng 870. The fl epon camber loading weg sate woe ‘xtonaod. Ths Whale was om the USS HANCOER (aa Nagata) ‘an A-38 (Bute 142256) of YAH on the ram at ite home statin, NAS Whidbey fauna, Washington ving 10. The fing onthe noseuhes! door Mavaed tn ECM Shion (USN a Thomas Gates) Caring the ‘AH modax of Cari ing Sie, hie EKA36 (BuNo 142237 of VAD "AEB: Colenin on 5 Secomiber 1970, (On Sperngit vag fy Ne _‘of VAH-123 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington on 18 prt 1862, wo usud Yo tin ed crows nthe ue of aborna rade ana negara ep: (Ooug Olson va ly Jann) 14856-14867, the fst of ied alg with small galley aod ator. With nose tems removed, the et COD ore at ay 1067 Carried Ro bandson the and rudder ‘One othe een was loan ute he open [cckptescape hatch (Clay Janson)‘This TASB (Guo 164965) 0 VF onthe ramp aL CAS Yuma on 17 March 1973, carried ‘an Amercan Flog marhing onthe vera fn above te IK modes, The Shywaron na Seagusedaseip apart. (Cy Jansson) 1s shud 490 of VAG3 NES ey en Pn ring lo wat ‘SEs on 2 Sorte ‘on Sparing 8) me vas 11272) was one of tie converted fom A20-28 to the VP anspor waror was Gave at NAF Washington OC and was used byte ENO (Chie! Thi TAB (BuNo 144962) on te ans ramp a NAS Oceans on 28 Ap by VAG" Firebirds for taining East Coast Skywarvor crews ena Neca igi Sure. ‘hie TA-38 (Bo 144650) of AVAM was veting Kelly Ae Fores Base, Texts on 17 anoary 175. This was the fourth TAB bus (Dr Corton E60), it ts fancing gsr amos! uly reacted his VA (Oh NAF Washington O¢ on 24 Apel 1970, Ti Skye fftha Navy and wae used wanepor VPs. (im Svan 164057 tundra out ofA3D-2Q/EA-3B 029AAalocance missions and eaea crew ot save, (anes Trombschy) ing gee almost Irwedtaly. This vrs'on of he Shywaior ha #tuslage emryescape hata accommodate the four EH perso (USN ia reg Carmen ‘This €A.98 (BuNo 14645) of 0-2 onthe ramp at HAS Almada elon on 12 June Skyworrior was in service for more man twantytive fears (Tm Chee via Don Safty down tom a mission pertng nthe Tonkin Glin Api of F972 an‘is EA. igs number 7 of Vr ole he wings an hea fo (Covet Puttthe a0" ese numer. (rues Wombecky). Crew Entry/Exit Door ‘his EA-38 (BuNlo 144840) of VAG sports the Red Russian star on Hs vertical fn, The ‘Shyuatior vas trom te Westcoast ana wes ving NAF Washington In May 1090. ‘Te aera was wed to smulate ery aera conducting attack one Fst. (hones ay ‘Spanish “Spo0k" cesion on its vertical fin, (Bob Lawson/The HOOK)nary 1980, was one of thirty photo rconnatesaneeSywarors bt by Douglas ‘Tis Whale could cary p towel camarae. (lay Jann) A3D-2P/RA-3B Dols manufactured hi ofthe phtoseconsisstnce AXD-2PIRA3B Sky wari "int fn 22 Jay 195%, ths longa J polo ata realy expended te cps of the Flt. Creed by fhe RAAB cased upto weve camer fr veil ond ies pega, Pere RA ca ly ei ye anes a td fring sed low on hth ies ofthe feelage Fora ny thee agro (VAP, VAP-2 and WCE) th mer wight ptoeapty the RAB ca neath pi Swan ‘ie nth ecomaissre ie was comple ee frames wereld to NRA 3B fo igor 8 ERA 3B fr Fs ‘A30-2P (BuNo 140049) carries the Black mogex "SS" on ts eral tn The proterecon Shywarto eamea ser of four and wat ating NAF Washington, 0 on 2 Septamber Tso (USM vie Peter Mah)NAS Nort ian (Lot 4 nae,B247-328 Am il