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| The first naval combat aircraft designed to carry an atomic bomb and for a time the world's largest carrier based aircraft, the Savage was developed (as the North American NA-146) to meet a US Navy requirement for a high performance attack bomber capable of carrying a nuclear weapon.
In order to meet the specification's demands a large aircraft was required, this in turn dictating the need far an unusual composite powerplants configuration - a pair of Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radials as the primary engines augmented by an auxiliary Allison J33 turbojet in the lower rear fuselage.
This third engine was intended to provide a high speed 'dash' capability during the attack phase of the aircraft's operation and for extra boost on takeoff when required.
Other features included shoulder mounted folding wings, tricycle undercarriage, wing tip fuel tanks and (on the first models) dihedral tail planes.
The Savage was ordered In June 1946, the first of three XAJ-1 prototypes flying on 3 July 1948. These were followed by 55 initial production AJ-1s, the first one flying in May 1949.
Deliveries to US Navy squadron VC-5 began in September 1949 and the first carrier landings were performed aboard USS Constellation in August 1950.
The AJ-2 first flew on 19 February 1953, this upgraded model featuring revised versions of the same powerplants, increased fuel capacity, systems modifications, a taller fin and no tailplane dihedral.
Preceding the AJ-2 bomber was the photo-reconnaissance AJ-2P (first flight 6 March 1952) equipped with 18 cameras for day and night photography at high and low altitudes, photo-flash bombs in the weapons bay, automatic control of most of the cameras, the associated electronics equipment in a modified nose and additional fuel capacity. Four US Navy combat squadrons were still operating the AJ-2 in 1958 and these received AJ-2Ps.
A number of AJ-1s and AJ-2s were converted to flight refuelling tankers with a hose-and-reel unit installed in the weapons bay. The few Savages still in service in September 1962 when all USAF and USN aircraft designations were combined into the existing Air Force system were redesignated A-2A (AJ-1) and A-2B (AJ-2).
| MODEL | AJ-2 |
| CREW | 3 |
| ENGINE | 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-44W, 1790kW + Allison J33-A-19 auxiliary turboprop, 2087kg |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 23973 kg | 52852 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 22.91 m | 75 ft 2 in |
| Length | 19.20 m | 63 ft 0 in |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 758 km/h | 471 mph |
| Glenn Hudson, e-mail, 10.01.2011 18:09 Started VC 8 in Pax river,deployed to Port Lyautey, Operated on USS Coral Sea, had one to Crash in Naples,Operated 2 weeks outside of London,moved to Sanford, Transferred to NAS Jax. to start VAH one with the first A3D Warriors. Dischaged as AM1 Sept 1956. reply | | Ralph DeLange, e-mail, 22.12.2010 00:20 I was stationed with VR-24 Det, Fasron77, at Capodichino Airport in Naples from 53-55. We had a hangar which was off-limits which housed AJ's which were doing some photography of areas behind the Iron Curtain, coastal installations, etc., mostly at night. On a couple occasions they came back with damage which seemed to be anti-aircraft. One unfortunate incident witnessed was the crash of one which seemed to have an engine fire and had nearly made it to the final approach. It spun out of control into an oil refinery adjacent to the field. Very traumatic. I've since learned of the circumstances and the names of those who lost their lives. reply | | HOWARD BROWNE, e-mail, 31.10.2010 14:58 I WAS AN AD3 WITGH VC-7 DURING THEIR STAY AT P-RIVER AND PORT LYAUTY. I FLEW CREW AND SAT BASE RADIO ,HAD A GREAT TIME BUT DONT REMEMBE TOO MUCH. reply | | Jerry Kimball, e-mail, 27.10.2010 16:53 I flew photo /radar /radio /window washer with VJ-61 from late 1954-thru end of 1956 based in Miramar and flew photo DAILY on detachments Able-PB4Ys (Panama) Detachments Q5 & Q6-AJ2Ps (Atsugi, Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Guam, Taiwan, USS Hornet, Sapporo). I was the firt to reach the PB4Y we lost in the jungles of Panama and had just transfered to Anacostia NAS DC when #6 crashed on Guam (God bless Lt. Avery that had saved my life several times) and #7 that got lost going from Guam to PI and had to bail out. Would really like to find some of the freinds from that period to exchange emails. I did attend several reunions..but, not recently. I have many pics of those years to share. Jerry Kimball PH2. reply | |
| | Gary Larrabee, e-mail, 05.10.2010 18:39 I served in Navy Sqd. VAH-15 located at NAS Norfork, VA. We had 11 AJ-2 aircraft that were used as inflight refuelers. I flew as a Plane Capt. and Third Crewman. The Spec on the aircraft is not correct, we carried a crew of 4. One item that is not revealed is the wings and tail had to be folded with externautal "jacks" to get the aircraft wher it would fit on the hangar deck. Most of the AJ-1 lost was due to the Hyd. Fluid leakage that caused fires. The AJ-2 had a water base Hyd. Fluid that did not have a flash point. reply |
| Art Kleinhesselink MCPO Ret, e-mail, 15.09.2010 00:19 VJ-61 was my first Navy assignment. I was in the squadron at Miramar and Guam. Made a couple of deployments to Sangley Pt. PI, Atsughi and Thailand. Have many fond memories of that AJ2P. The walking struts were different and the Air Force tower didn't understand when asked permission to start the J33 jet. They couldn't see it.Tough getting to some of the electronic gear in the tunnel. Lost some good shipmates in crashes. reply | | Jim, e-mail, 10.09.2010 07:56 During my service aboard USS Ticonderobe CVA 14 in 1955-56 I watched flight operations on many occasions. A couple of things I remember were, an AJ being catapulted and the brakes were not released. The plane sank a bit as it left the deck but maintained it's flight status. The other incident was on landing, the arresting gear connected but the fuselage separated. The plane didn't break into pieces but it was quite a mess. Anyone out there aboard the "TI" in the Med. that remeber those incidents? reply | | Halls Fred B. ADRC RET., e-mail, 08.09.2010 03:28 I spent two tours with (VJ-61 and VAP-61) at Miramar 53 and 54 and at Agana Guam 57 and 58. I was on flying status both tours and spent more time on a check stand than in the air. I have many fond memories from that period, that was befor NATOPS was born and took the fun out of flying. reply | | Halls Fred B. ADRC RET., e-mail, 08.09.2010 03:27 I spent two tours with (VJ-61 and VAP-61) at Miramar 53 and 54 and at Agana Guam 57 and 58. I was on flying status both tours and spent more time on a check stand than in the air. I have many fond memories from that period, that was befor NATOPS was born and took the fun out of flying. reply | | William Powell, e-mail, 18.08.2010 03:32 My cousin, Howard E. Gulledge was on the carrier U.S.S. Essex during the Korean War. He also flew with VJ-61 as a photographer on the AJ-2P. He told me alot of stories about it. But he has passed on and everytime I see the AJ at Pensacola, I always think of him. reply | | Harry Seifert, Jr, e-mail, 22.05.2010 21:36 My dad was attached to VAP 61 at NAS Miramar in 1954. He was an ATCS in charge of the three man camera repair section of the squadron.
The squadron had two very large, gray and belligerent geese as mascots and there was one holding an aviation camera depicted on the squadrons patch.
We went to Guam with the squadron from 1956 - 1958. I have memories of catching the "cattle-car" down to his squadron area and being allowed to play around the parked aircraft with a couple of buddies whose dad's were also in the squadron. The planes had a smell that was particular to the type. I later found out that the hydraulic system for the aircraft was using a new and somewhat hazardous hydraulic fluid. And "two turnin', one burnin' ", I remember being painted in a wall in Fiddler's Green, the base CPO club. That's where our Cub Scout den met.
I can also remember watching an AJ run off the end of the runway and catch fire. My dad was real quiet that night at home.
In '57, a detachment of two planes was sent to Thailand for a 3 month mission. Shortly before my dad passed, he told us that they were flying from Phuket in Thailand as well as Pnom Pehn (?) in Laos and somewhere in Cambodia. I guess we were involved in SE Asia way before Kennedy sent in the first wave of advisors. reply | | CWO Hank Porter, USN (Ret), e-mail, 09.05.2010 01:13 To Tom S.:Re tankers. We had one AJ configured as an IFR (inflight refueling) tanker at NATC Patuxent River. The J33 engine was removed and replaced with air refueling hose etc. My friend, AD2 Jim Vaughn was killed in the damn thing when it nosed over on takeoff in 1953. Oh, BTW, all you AJ sailors are wrong about your a /c being the first nuke capable bombers to deploy on carriers. I was an AD2 plane captain in VC-4 aboard USS Midway in 1952 /1953 with F2H-2B's when your AJ's came aboard for a short visit. The "B" stood for nuclear bomber. reply | | Oleg, e-mail, 22.04.2010 16:59 Dear Sirs,
maybe somebody can help with info about list of stencils servicing instructions on AJ's aircraft?
Thanks! reply | | Chuck Huber, e-mail, 08.04.2010 22:08 I was in VC-8 in 1954 /1955, and maintain the only website devoted to the first Navy nuclear attack squadrons at community.webtv.net /charles379 /USNComposite reply | |
| | Richard Greenwood LCDR, e-mail, 02.09.2010 18:55 I flew the AJ-2P while with VAP61, Guam station. My first squadron as an aviator. We phptografted a lot of SE Asia in the two years I was with that unit. A proud time and many fond memories. Great aircraft, in my opinion. reply | | tom grant, e-mail, 05.09.2010 22:12 I WAS AN AD SERVED IN VJ62 FROM 1955 TO 57 WENT ON DET CHARLEY IN 56 TO TURKEY TRYING TO LOCATE ANY ONE WHO SERVED WITH ME. reply |
| Richard Martyniak, e-mail, 28.01.2010 07:14 My dad, Marty Martyniak,(deceased Sept '03) was a BN on AJ's. I can't remember what squadron he was in right now, but can look that up, along with some of his logbooks that show BN's. Interested in hearing any info. reply | | Diane Dickson Caralivanos, e-mail, 17.01.2010 06:00 My father, Lt. Charles B. Dickson, flew the AJ-1 in 1951. He was allocated to Project Sandia (nuclear weapons development at Albuqurque) and was attached to the Naval Aviation Detachment at Kirtland AFB, NM.
The AJ-1 crashed and killed my father on June 8,1951,8 miles south of Albuquerque, at the Valley Gold Farm (from what I've been told).
His plane was North American AJ-1, Bureau Number 124169. I am wondering if there are files on my father, personally, probably on microfiche, that could be printed off, perhaps including his service history and so forth.
My sister was 17 months old and I was 4 at the time of the crash. We are seeking information from anyone who knew our dad or has any information on the crash, the crash site or
circumstances. From what I've been able to learn, there was a fire in the engine area and one survivor.
My sister and I will be visiting Albuquerque in late February 2010, we are hopeful to have more information to help give our visit some closure. Thank you in advance. reply | | Norm Silver, e-mail, 06.01.2010 08:43 When I was a firefighter with the Los Angeles County Fire Department we contracted to use two (2) AJ-1's owned by AJ Tankers and they operated out of the Van Nuys airport. Both ships did eventually go down but when they were running well they sure did a fine forest fire suppression support job for us. Now LACoFD uses heavy copters. reply | | peter Ardans, e-mail, 26.10.2009 00:58 I was an AD3 in VF-63 in CAG 2 on the Essex in Nov. 1954 when they launched 3 AJ-2 Tankers from the catapults. The deck was too crowded to free fly them. The Essex had brought them from North Island. They went to Barbers Point NAS to perform aerial refueling exercises with Banshees. The Essex was just beginning its ORI for our WestPac cruise. reply |
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Gary Larrabee
Larry, Still in the game !! Hope the same isd true for you and yours.
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