We had a squadron of A-3Ds on each of my cruises from 1968-'70. We only used them for tankers, but they hadn't yet been designated KA-3D. I have a good friend who was in VAH-6 in 1959. This was well before they became RVAH-6 flying the Vigilante. In fact, in 1959, the A-3Ds were still being used as bombers and for recon. My friend was a PH2. VAH-6 lost one plane in the Hawaiian Islands during ORI. The plane was flying a bombing run and simply disappeared. Many memories watching them catapult and trap during flight ops.🫡
Wow, I used to work at Van Nuys back in the 90’s and I remember one of these just sitting there. I’m guessing this is the same one. They would run the engines once in a while but I never got to see it fly.
Nice presentation of this classic '50s generation war bird. But a fan blade from an A3-D apparently shows up in the Pentagon wreckage of 9/11? with the only available security footage showing nothing like an airliner hitting the building? but coming in fast and low? So what are we to think of that? A great plane, regardless. I worked on the Douglas refueler KA-3B as AE3, first aboard Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 ('67), and Ticonderoga CVA-14 ('68), on Yankee Station, Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam.
I remember as a younger man watching shows of much older vets getting emotional while revisiting aircraft that they worked with over the years. Now I understand that feeling completely. I was with VQ-2 Rota, Spain in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s. I remember vividly staring out my window from maintenance control and watching this birds take off and land or smelling those engines exhaust from my cubicle. Thanks for posting this it definitely has brought up some great emotional memories for sure.
Mark. Good to see you, it's also the A'-3 that really has my attention! From 65 to 67, I few Air Crew in most of the VQ-2 & also VQ-1's birds. It's good to see them again! Tx, Swish
Was AT 2 with same last name as me. Flying mission in Tonkin gulf, LATS Lost at sea ,never recovered .needless to say what prior shipmates thought when I came walking across the ramp
I saw a A3 in overhaul at factory in Japan. Was fitted with all leather seats ,8, in the lower bay. Completely VIP IED OUT, LATER SAW HER LAND ABOARD CVA (N) 65
It's stupid to me that these planes only have so long on the airframe. We are losing history to something that's really only ferried to airshows and flown at airshows / events. Usually meticulously maintained and rebuilt. The FAA needs to give an alternative to having otherwise flight worthy planes become static objects that exist only in museums. What a shame.
The fact that cars can get antique plates and not adhere by modern inspection rules, and everyone is okbwith that, but these crews are actively modifying these pieces to be current and they still will have to turn them in is stupid. It leaves history only for people who are rich enough to not even have enough time on the airframe to break even at shows and events.
The video says EA-3B but the jet has nothing in common with the EA models I flew in VQ-1 in the 70s. No canoe, different nose radome, and there's a weird window on the port side. Very exciting nonetheless.
Good to see the " If in doubt, kick the chocks " principle still in use LOL, gives a good indication of the size of this often forgotten overlooked aircraft. Museums are all very well, but it`s great to see these warbirds in the sky where they belong.
Brings back memories on CV -59 !! We called the A-3E Big bird lol. Everyone ran for cover around the island or the crane because she smokes like a phantom!! Running rich mixture!! 🤣😷
I am happy to see in the comments here that this old girl is still a memory in their hearts and minds. I was a 3rd seat in Heavy two moving to the right seat in VAQ 131. I was very, very fortunate to have flown with the best pilots in the navy in my career. The "whale' saved many a pilot and plane.
I was assigned to VQ-1, West-PAC 1987. We took 2 EA-3B’s to NAS Miramar, Top Gun back then. We lost one A3 in a night time crash. The J 57‘s were bulletproof engines. Great plane to work on and watch fly.
I'm from Fort Worth and this used to be called Carswell Air Force Base. There used to be B-52 bombers based here. This was an old SAC base. The base is on one side of the runway and Lockheed on the other side of the runway. It wasn't always Lockheed. It was Convair, General Dynamics, Lockheed. They built B-36, B-58, F-111, F-16, F-35.
Here's a short video I took of a EA-3B sitting in a field beside the VINTAGE FLYING MUSEUM in Fort Worth, Texas. It wasn't open to the public but the ladies that were at the museum were working on the gate/fence and they said I could quickly go in and take a video. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kScycNojJHI.html
My father gave me a Revell model of the Douglas A-3 in early 1966 I think. I was 10 and did not understand what a great airplane this is. Thanks for the memory.
Dr. Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14 astronaut) used to fly this aircraft while he was in the US Navy. Great looking aircraft indeed! Also love the design of the Vigilante aircraft from around the same period!
