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| The largest and heaviest aircraft designed for operation from an aircraft-carrier when the Douglas El Segundo division's project design was completed in 1949, the Douglas A3D Skywarrior originated from a US Navy requirement of 1947. An attack bomber with strategic strike capability was envisaged, tailored to the giant new aircraft-carriers that were ultimately (after prolonged opposition from the USAF) to materialise as the 'Forrestal' class of four ships, as it was believed that the moment had come to exploit the potential of the rapidly-developing gas turbine engine.
The Douglas design was a high-wing monoplane, with retractable tricycle landing gear, two podded turbojets beneath the wing, and a large internal weapons bay to accommodate up to 5443kg of varied weapons. The wings were swept back 36° and had high-aspect ratio for long range, all tail surfaces were swept, and the outer wing panels and vertical tail folded.
The first of two prototypes made its maiden flight on 28 October 1952, powered by 3175kg Westinghouse XJ40-WET3 engines, but the failure of this engine programme meant that the 4400kg thrust Pratt & Whitney J57-P-6 powered the production A3D-1. The first of these A3D-1s flew on 16 September 1953, and deliveries to the US Navy's VAH-1 attack squadron began on 31 March 1956.
In 1962 the designation was changed to A-3, the initial three-seat production version becoming A-3A. Five of these were modified subsequently for ECM missions under the designation EA-3A. The A-3B (previously A3D-2) which entered service in 1957 had more powerful J57-P-10 engines and an inflight-refuelling probe. A reconnaissance variant with cameras in the weapons bay was designated RA-3B (A3D-2P), and EA-3B (A3D-2Q) identified ECM aircraft with a four-man crew in the weapons bay. Other designations include 12 TA-3B (A3D-2T) trainers for radar operators, one VA-3B (A3D-2Z) executive transport, and the final variants in front-line US Navy service were KA-3B inflight-refuelling tankers and 30 EKA-3B tanker/counter-measures/strike aircraft. Skywarrior variants still in service include TA-3B crew trainers, EKA-3B early-warning 'aggressor' trainers, and KA-3B tankers with Squadrons VAQ-33 at Key West and VAQ-34 at NAS Point Mugu, together with an NA-3B test aircraft operated by the Naval Weapons Test Center and NRA-3Bs with the Pacific Missile Test Center.
| MODEL | A-3B |
| ENGINE | 2 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10 turbojets, 4763kg each |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 37195 kg | 82001 lb |
| Empty weight | 17876 kg | 39410 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 22.10 m | 73 ft 6 in |
| Length | 23.27 m | 76 ft 4 in |
| Height | 6.95 m | 23 ft 10 in |
| Wing area | 75.43 m2 | 811.92 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 982 km/h | 610 mph |
| Cruise speed | 837 km/h | 520 mph |
| Ceiling | 12495 m | 41000 ft |
| Range | 1690 km | 1050 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 2 x 20mm rear-firing cannon, 5500kg of bombs |
 | A three-view drawing of TA-3B Skywarrior (1000 x 555) |
| Michael J. Luszik Jr., e-mail, 06.01.2011 18:57 I was in VAH-2 from 05-57 to 09-60. It was a wonderful experience for young man of 18 yrs. In my last 2 yrs. I was a plane capt, who was assigned a plane to take care of and service. We also got to fly as part of our job. What a great exciting time that was. I got to experience five take-offs and landings from the carriers we were on. Also I had the thrill of a 12
Jato bottle take-off with Lt. Commander Henderson. Last but not least, on a flight back from Spokane, Ltjg Everet landed long in a rain storm, and overran the runway by about 500ft. Blew the main tires sheared the nose wheel back into the underbelly. I was in the 4th seat, which was a rigged jump seat attached to rear cockpit wall. It didn't take four guys long to exit the plane thru the top hatch and jump to the ground and run like you know what.
We had so many nice people in our Squadron. It was hard to get out.
Thanks for the great times,Vah-2
Michael J. Luszik jr reply | | Darwin "Hap" Litzell, e-mail, 05.01.2011 02:23 Was attached to VAH2 in 1959 - 1961. Although I was in the personnel office, my brother, Dave "tweets" litzell was a plane captain on the A3D. He came to Whidbey from North Island in 1958 (I think) He made a cruise on the Bonnie Dick and I made a cruise with heavy two on the Coral Sea (60-61) I remember standing hangar watch at Whidbey in the middle of the night. I was in total awe of those birds sitting in the hanger just itching for a take-off. It was a real honor to have served with the crew that manned those planes. CDR Porter, our CO who was killed in a crash near Spokane, Wa. was one of the best I ever served with, as was CDR Wm. Barron, Ltjg Whitehead, Ltjg Herring to name a few. reply | | Pat Bailey, LT, USNR (Ret)., e-mail, 06.12.2010 01:45 I'm another Leapfrogger. Was RM3 in early 1964 on Kitty Hawk. Flew as 4th crewman with VAH-13. Had another 3rd class in the program as well. We'd alternate between being in the air and keeping the radio log back on the ship. Morse Code still rules! reply | | Chris Thompson, e-mail, 27.11.2010 05:34 To all who have responded on this web page about this aircraft. I deployed in 1986 on the Enterprise. VQ-1 was flying th A-3 Whale. How cool was that? So much history, and one hell of a platform for frontline testing of avionics. Kudos to all of us from the past, for if it were not for us, there would be no now. ****NOTE****Virtual Aircraft Museum! Please screen out those idiots such as; ralph,alhaji,larry,mary,daniel,cadilac loan lenders. They are just a bunch of pricks looking to steal our money. Please do us this one damn favor. Chris reply | |
| | Ron Collins AQB2, e-mail, 15.11.2010 03:09 Whidbey Island,VAH-4 Det.Echo,1961-63, Two cruises aboard the Bonnie Dick,(CVA-31). 61 cruise, 4 Birds, all 138 series with G /N seat and Tail Guns. 62 Cruise with 142 series with the Duck Butt. Got to ride along as Maintenance to check the Loft Module during Sandblowers in Oregon. Was in the 4th seat in 62 when the LCDR pilot managed to wipe out the Mirror and a couple of feet of the port wing tip. Half a roll of 200 MPH tape and i was "volunturd" to fly 2nd seat when we flew it to Atsugi for repair. Got out in Feb 62. Cdr Cates was OIC. reply | | Howard Nickerson, e-mail, 25.10.2010 01:05 Although a Naval Aviator, I flew in the A3 as a Bombarder /Navigator with VAH-2 and VAH-4, Det Charlie on the Hancock with Ed Grady as my pilot in 1959-60. Went back to VAH-123 and checked out as plane Commander. Met my squadron VAH-8 at sea on the Midway and finished my 2nd cruise with them in 1962 when I was released to inactive duty. In 1971, I joined as a Reservist VAQ-208 in Alameda where I retired from the Reserves in 1977. I had over 100 traps on the Midway with the Whale. What a workhorse! reply | | Lee Fant RMCS, e-mail, 18.10.2010 20:14 Flew with VAH-11 det 8 aboard the Indy in 1964 establishing Operation Leapfrog... most unforgettable time of my navy career and life... reply | | James Pennock ,LT USNR, e-mail, 13.10.2010 21:48 Flew as an Electronic Warfare Officer in VQ-1 from March 1966-May 1969 flew in both the EA3B and EC121 (approximately 1000 hours in each aircraft). Many near misses but the excellent pilots and wonderful aircraft always pulled us through. Would like to "Salute" Captain Don East (1st entry) this is truly a great leader--we went through Pre-Flight and several other schools together. Don was one of the most inspiring officers I have had the pleasure to serve with. "GO NAVY!!) reply | | Capt. Don C. East USN (Ret.), e-mail, 19.09.2010 19:42 Flew in both the EC-121M and the EA-3B as Electronic Warfare Evaluator in VQ-2 1967-70. Flew both land based and carrier missions in the EA-3B. Flew off carriers such as the Kennedy, Forrestal, Independence, and Roosevelt. Went back to VQ-2 as X.O. and C.O. 1981-83 and again flew Electronic Warfare Evaluator missions in the EA-3B as well as the EP-3E. Flew EA-3B missions off the Nimitz, Forestal, and other carriers during this tour. Some of my most memorable EA-3B pilots were Glen Hatch, Stu Corey, Lou Hettinger, Ted Daum, Terry Hanson, Walt Gromada, Charles Gore, Al Gallotta and the legendary Jack Taylor. The old bird was getting old during my latter tour and it required lots of mainteance hours to keep the old lady in the air. reply |
| Dan Siddens, e-mail, 10.09.2010 15:41 Stationed at NAS Whidbey,64 thru 66, and still remember those early morning sounds of A-3's being ready for flight. Strange that hardly any comments here from NAS Whidbey Whale drivers /fixers reply |
| Jeff Jones, e-mail, 08.07.2010 02:04 Was plane /cap in VAH-11 Det8 in Sanford,Fla. Loved the A3 Aircraft. Flew with LT /Commander Klien off the Forrestal & Independence. reply |
| A.W.Pierce, e-mail, 09.07.2010 21:53 I flew in the A bird,B bird,T bird,K bird even got one cat shot in the P bird(Adm. Z'S VIP bird) reply | | Larry Grahams, e-mail, 15.07.2010 16:13 Hello There,
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Larry. reply | | Joseph Prusacik, e-mail, 28.07.2010 21:46 I was a 2nd mech p /c in VAH-11 ..made a med cruise on the FDR CVA-42 1960. GOT my 1st cat shot and flt...fell in love with the Skywarrior..what a air craft just beautiful..went on to VAH-3 and really got to fly as p /c and 3rd crew.Ended up with over 2,000 hours flew every chance I got and flew on my own time ..Retired as a chief AWC..flew many a /c and models S2,s all models..P-3,s up to charlies.. none compared to the 1st thrill of a Skywarrior...hands down..Would do it again if I had the chance .. reply | |
| | Robert H. Briggs, e-mail, 01.06.2010 00:40 31May,2010 1756 Was assigned to A3-Crew (Weapons Test & Evaluation Unit) at the Naval Missile Center Point Mugu California, 1965 1967. Severed with AMS1 Wade,AMH1 Stout, and Mike Cariseah,AMS E3-Striker from New Jersey and several others, as Aircrew I flew with Pilots LtCDR(Animal)Best, Test Pilot,(CDR(Pinky Nord)I spent a lot of weekends in Texas) and last but not least, Airforce Exchange Pilot Lt. Ayers, who like flying down in the Grand Canyon with a cockpit full of smoke & really enjoys flying with the top hatch open to clear out the smoke! He was a very good pilot and fun loving crazy guy,although I must admit I had to scrub some stains outta my skives more than once.AMS2 Briggs, We flew several Weapons Test & Evaluations in Areas like China Lake and White Sands and several other locations not known by the Crew. Best Duty Station I've ever had. reply | | Lupe Medrano, e-mail, 27.05.2010 03:47 My dad's name is Richard Vasquez he was on the 4- sforrestal in 1965-1969 CVA42 abd CVA59 he was also on the Roosevelt .If you served with my dad please send me an e-mail thank you . reply | | Tom Maxwell, e-mail, 29.03.2010 17:06 A truly great Navy aircraft. Flew the Whale for two years in Heavy Four Det. Golf in 66-67 in the Gulf and then all over Europe with VQ-2 in 67-69 doing a two month tour at Danang.
The A /C was a pleasure to fly and as bloged above the J-57s were a blessing. Had a little over 100 landings on the Oriskany (27C) and it did get a little tight at night bring her aboard with, if you were lucky three passes of fuel remaining.
If you are fond of this historic A /C you can join the
A3 Skywarrior Association by going to their web page (www.a3skywarrior.com). You can also support the bring of an A3 to Whidbey by going to the A3 for Whidbey web page, which is linked on the A3 association page. reply |
| Nick Alvaro AMS3, e-mail, 22.03.2010 00:43 I was a plane captain with VAH-9 on the Sara in 62 &63 Med crusies--The A3D was a sweet bird, I miss hearing the roar of those J57 engines reply | | Earl B. "Red" Wynn, e-mail, 20.03.2010 11:10 Flew the "whale" from 1961-1980 off and on as regular Navy and Naval Reserve pilot. Never had a moment's concern about those wonderful J-57 engines which made not having ejection seats more palatable. The EKA3B's were the heaviest I flew (aboard 27 Charlie carrier" Bonnie Dick" in 68 during VN. The 147 series CLE(cambered leading edge) model was an excellent operational a /c but for cross country flying, the TA3B was unbeatable. reply | | Art Irish, e-mail, 12.03.2010 00:40 My father, CDR Art Irish, was the first CO of VAH-2, transitioning from VP-29 (P2Vs) to the A3D. When I looked at the drawing above the specifications it rang a bell and I looked at the large scale model of the A3D that had been presented to my Dad by his Chiefs (I think) and it has the same tail number as the drawing. The model has a green lightning bolt on the tail and the "Flying Hippo" patch used by the squadron at the time. I recall visiting my Dad at NAS North Island one summer and crawling all around that particular aircraft, under the stern eye of one of those Chiefs. Memories... reply |
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Dan Siddens
Capt. East, I flew S-3s in the Navy, but before that I knew a Terry Hanson at NAS Cubi Pt. and NAF Washington, D.C. in the mid 70 who had flown A-3s. I am thinking he might be one and the same. I have lost track of him, but always wanted to thank him for his special kindness at a time when I needed it. If by chance you get this and are in contact with your Terry Hanson, if you might forward my name and email address to him, and my thanks, it would mean a lot. Thank you, Sir! John Clifford
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