Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Die-cast metal.
Superb detailing in 1/72 scale.
Pre-painted with pad applied markings.
Fully assembled.
Comes with crew figure
Display stand included.
Option to display model with wheels up or down.
Minimum use of plastic.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA4701
North American RA-5C Vigilante
156624, RVAH-6, USS Kitty Hawk,1971

The North American A3J Vigilante first flew on August 31, 1958 and was in service until
November 1979. Originally designed as a Mach 2 all-weather bomber; the aircraft eventually had
a new role of high-speed reconnaissance. In 1962 the Vigilante received new designators, the
original A3J-1 became the A-5A, A3J-2 became A-5B while the reconnaissance version A3J-3P
became the RA-5C and first flew June 30, 1962. The Vigilante was the largest and fastest aircraft
to operate from an aircraft carrier. The RA-5C was heavily used in the Vietnam War.

North American RA-5C 156624 was one of the last Vigilantes to be manufactured and was
accepted by the USN in January 1970. The first assignment was with Reconnaissance Attack
Squadron 6 (RVAH-6) “Fleurs” that spent 1970 and 1971 on a cruise aboard USS Kitty Hawk
(CV-63) West Pac Cruise. During 1972-73 the aircraft deployed aboard the USS America
(CVA-66). The RVAH-6 moved to Florida and spent time aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in
1974. The next three years saw the aircraft move to RVAH-5 “Savage Sons”, RVAH-9
“Hoot Owls”, RVAH-12 “Speartips” and time on the USS Constellation (CVA-64) and
USS Independence (CV-62) before returning to RVAH-6. RA-5C 156624 made its final flight in
mid-1978 and is displayed at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida
wearing AJ-601 from its last cruise aboard the USS Nimitz.

Specifications for the North American RA-5C Vigilante
Crew – 2 / tandem twin cockpits x Pilot in front cockpit, Reconnaissance Attack Navigator in the
rear
Number of Aircraft – 91 new built, converted aircraft 43 A-5A and the first 6 A-5B = 140

Dimensions
Length – 76 ft 7 in   (23.3 m)
Wingspan – 53 ft 2in   (16.2 m)
Height – 19 ft 5 in   (5.9 m)

Weight
Empty – 37,500 lb   (17,000 kg)
Maximum – 79,600 lb   (36,100 kg)

Performance
Engines – 2 x General Electric J79-GE-10 turbojets with each engine producing 17,859 lbs of
thrust.
Speed
Maximum – 1,320 mph   (2,125 km/h)
Service Ceiling – 52,100 ft   (15,900 m)
Range – 2,050 miles   (3,300 km)

Avionics
AN/ASB-12 Bombing & Navigation Radar
Westinghouse AN/APD-7 SLAR
Sanders AN/ALQ-100 E/F/G/H-Band Radar Jammer
Sanders AN/ALQ-41 X-Band Radar Jammer
AIL AN/ALQ-61 Radio/Radar/IR ECM Receiver
Litton ALR-45 "COMPASS TIE" 2-18 GHz Radar Warning Receiver
Magnavox AN/APR-27 SAM Radar Warning Receiver
Itek AN/APR-25 S/X/C-Band Radar Detection and Homing Set
Motorola AN/APR-18 Electronic Reconnaissance System
AN/AAS-21 IR Reconnaissance Camera

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