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Douglas A-3 Skywarrior

Aircraft of the U.S. Navy

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Development

Entwicklung

The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was a strategic bomber built for the U.S. Navy and among the longest serving carrier-based jet aircraft. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991. For many years after its introduction, it was also the heaviest aircraft ever flown from an aircraft carrier, earning it the unofficial 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.  

 

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Variants

Versionen

  XA3D-1

Two prototypes 

XA3D-1

Zwei Prototypen

A3D-1
A-3A

initial production versions, 50 build

A3D-1
A-3A

Erstserienflugzeug, 50 Maschinen

A3D-1P
RA-3A

One A3D-1 converted as a prototype for the A3D-2 with camera pack in the weapon bay.

A3D-1P
RA-3A

Eine A3D-1 umgebaut als Prototype für die A3D-2 mit Kameraausrüstung. 

A3D-1Q
EA-3A

Five A3D-1s converted for the electronic reconnaissance 

A3D-1Q
EA-3A

Fünf A3D-1 umgebaut für die Elektronische Aufklärung

A3D-2
A-3B

Definitive production bomber version, with stronger airframe, more powerful engines. 164 build

A3D-2
A-3B

Endgültige Serienversion mit verstärktem Rumpf und stärkeren Motoren. 164 Maschinen

A3D-2P
RA-3B

30 photo-reconnaissance aircraft

A3D-2P
RA-3B

Photoaufklärer, 30 Maschinen

A3D-2Q
EA-3B

24 electronic warfare versions 

A3D-2Q
EA-3B

ECM- und Elint-Version, 24 Maschinen

A3D-2T
TA-3B

12 bomber-trainer versions

A3D-2T
TA-3B

Schulmaschine zur Bombennavigation, 12 Maschinen

KA-3B

85 A-3B bombers refitted for the tanker role

KA-3B

85 A-3B Bomber die für die als  Tanker umgebaut wurden

EKA-3B

34 KA-3B tankers refitted for dual ECM/tanker role

EKA-3B

34 KA-3B Tanker umgebaut als ECM und Tanker

ERA-3B

Eight RA-3Bs converted as electronic aggressor aircraft

ERA-3B

8 RA-3 umgebaut als elektronische Aggressoren. 

NRA-3B

Six RA-3Bs converted for various  test purposes.

NRA-3A

Sechs RA-3B umgebaut für diverse Tests

VA-3B

One EA-3B converted as a VIP transport.

VA-3B

Eine EA-3B umgebaut als VIP-Maschine

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Operational history

Einsatzgeschichte

 

O

G

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Drawings

Zeichnungen

Heavy Attack Squadrons

 

 

 

  VAH-1 VAH-1 VAH-1
 

 

 

  VAH-1 VAH-1 VAH-1
 

 

 

  VAH-2 VAH-2 VAH-2
 

 

 

..

..

  VAH-2 VAH-2 VAH-2
 

 

 

  VAH-3 VAH-3 VAH-3
 

 

 

  VAH-4 VAH-4 1964 VAH-4 1965
 

 

 

  VAH-4 VAH-5 VAH-6
 

 

 

..

..

  VAH-6    
 

 

 

   
  VAH-7 VAH-8 VAH-8
 

 

 

 
  VAH-8 VAH-8 1967 VAH-9
 

 

 

  VAH-9 VAH-9 VAH-9
 

 

 

  VAH-9 VAH-9 VAH-9
 

 

 

  VAH-10 VAH-10 VAH-10
 

 

 

  VAH-10 VAH-10 VAH-10
 

 

 

  VAH-10 VAH-10 VAH-10
 

 

 

  VAH-10 VAH-10 VAH-10
 

 

 

..

..

  VAH-11 VAH-11 VAH-13
 

 

 

..

..

  VAH-123    

Heavy Photographic Squadrons

 

 

 

..

..

  VAP-61 VAP-62

Composite Photographic Squadrons

 

 

 

 
  VCP-63 VCP-63  

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons

 

 

 

..

..

  VQ-1 VQ-2

Heavy Reconnaissance Attack Squadrons

 

 

 

..

..

  RVAH-3

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadrons

 

 

 

..

..

  VAW-13 VAW-13

Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons

 

 

 

  VAQ-33 VAQ-34 VAQ-129
 

 

 

  VAQ-129 VAQ-130 VAQ-130 1971
 

 

 

..

..

  VAQ-130 VAQ-131 VAQ-132
 

 

 

  VAQ-133 VAQ-134 VAQ-135 1972
 

 

 

   
  VAQ-135 1973    
 

 

 

..

..

  VAQ-208 VAQ-308

Aerial Refueling Squadrons

 

 

 

..

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  VAK-208 VAK-308

Fleet Transport Squadrons

 

 

 

..

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  VR-1

Test and Evaluation Squadrons

 

 

 

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  VX-5

Naval Reserve

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..

 

xxx

xxx

xxx

 

Tailcodes  (Atlantic)

VAH-1 TB after 1956 GH
VAH-3 EW after 1956 GJ
VAH-5 GK
VAH-7 GL
VAH-9 FG after 1956 GM
VAH-11 GN
VAH-13 GP

Tailcodes   (Pacific)

VAH-2 BF   after 1956 ZA
VAH-4 ZB
VAH-6 ZC
VAH-8 ZD
VAH-10 GQ later ZR

...

 
.
Specifications

A3D-2

Wingspan

Spannweite

22.1 m

Length

Länge

23.27 m

Height

Höhe

6.95 m

Wing area

Flügelfläche

75.4 m²

Engine

Motor

2× Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10 turbojet, 10,500 lbf each

Maximum speed

Höchstgeschwindigkeit

980 km/h

Empty weight

Leergewicht

17,900 kg

Loaded weight

Startgewicht

31,750 kg

Climb Rate

Steigrate

?

Service ceiling

Gipfelhöhe

12,500 m

Range

Reichweite

2,130 km

Armament

Bewaffnung

5,443 kg of Bombs

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Serial, Douglas A3D- Skywarrior

XA3D-1

125412 - 125413

2

YA3D-1

130352

1

A3D-1

130353 - 130363

11

A3D-1

135407 - 135444

38

A3D-2

138902 -138976

75

A3D-2

142236 - 142255 

20

YA3D-2P

142256

1

A3D-2Q

142257

1

A3D-2Q

142258

(1)

A3D-2

142400 - 142407 

8

A3D-2

142630 - 142665 

36

A3D-2P

142666 - 142669 

4

YA3D-2Q

142670

1

A3D-2Q

142671 - 142673

3

A3D-2

144626 - 144629 

4

A3D-2P

144825 - 144847 

23

A3D-2Q

144848 - 144855 

8

A3D-2T

144856 - 144867 

12

A3D-2

147648 - 147668 

21

A3D-2P

146446 - 146447 

2

A3D-2Q

146448 - 146459 

12

Total

283


- Last update: 22.August 2014 Writen: 1. September 2010 - -
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