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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) |
| Rickey Mayfield, e-mail, 25.11.2012 21:27 I served in VAQ 208 from 71-74 with "Little Billy Chartrand' and many other fine sailors under Skipper's Tad Bingham and Jim Jefferson. What a fine aircraft. I started on the line then became P /C and ended up a qualed right seater. Wish I could do it again. reply | | Bill Chartr;and, e-mail, 24.11.2012 22:07 Had a memorable experience while stationed at Nas Alameda 1970-1974 attached to VAQ 208 as aircrew.Went through a Hammer Head Stall in the A3, followed by a ATM failure. Climbed down the "hole" an did a reset. Cleaned my pants. reply | | Robert H. Briggs, e-mail, 19.11.2012 21:35 19Nov.2012
I was assigned to the A3-Crew at Point Magu California Naval Missile Center (NAS) IN 1965 I worked my way into flight status and flew as 3rd seat crew member 1965-66. then I was transferred to NAS Whidbey Island Washington, State where my orders to Bombardier Navigator?(BN)School was cancelled due to needs of he Navy needing Aircraft Mechanics Hydraulics more than BNs. So off I went to flight controls and hydraulics schools and after that Hello Vietnam! Oh well at least I got back in one piece THANK GOD for that! So many others didn't make it back at all. reply | | A.W.Pierce, e-mail, 21.08.2012 19:03 at one time I WAS THE only A3-A6 P /C on the whole west coast.I was assigned to VAH 123(to become VA 128) Flight line reply | |
| | Ed Blaker, e-mail, 16.08.2012 16:25 Looks like most of the comments were from the west coast. I was in VAH-9 stationed in Sanford FL from 1 /57 - 8 /60. They still had AJ's when I checked in. We recieved our first A3 around Jan, 57. It was so early it was delivered in Navy Blue, we had to change it to the new paint scheme of gray & white. We shook down the Sara (CVA-60) and I was on it for the NATO, 1st. & 2nd Med cruises. We also were on the Forrestal for several carrier quals and the Ranger for it's shakedown in Cuba. This was truly a fantastic airplane with the ability to do much more than it was designed to do. Our skipper, Com. Earl Yates would fly an A3D as if it were a fighter. On one of the Med cruises flying with the Brits he had the limies going nuts. Great pilot but nobody wanted to sit next to him. He went on to become an Admiral.
God Bless and goodluck to all of you "WHALERS"
...............Ed Blaker reply | | Ralph Estes, e-mail, 14.06.2012 09:41 A3SKYWARRIORFORWHIDBEY.ORG reply | | Nolan Watson, e-mail, 09.01.2012 06:57 I was a member of VP-29 which upon returning from deployment was became VAH-2. We took our first two A3D at North Island and returned to Whidbey Island where I left the Navy in June 1957. I was fortunate to make memorable flights in the A3D, ones I will always remember. "Punchy" Gamble was my Chief Mechanic on the P2Vs as well as the A3Ds. reply |
| Ed Sykes, e-mail, 29.11.2011 06:31 In 1958 and 59 I flew in the above plane Bu#135440 14 different times as third crewman while in Vah-1. I was suprised to see her since she crashed in June of 59. I was in her June 15th on the Indy. Just did 5 cats and 6 landings. I flew in her three different times on that day. Flew in her 14 different times.If I'm not mistacken LTJG Golden was the pilot when a cold cat got her. I flew with Golden the day before on Night quals. reply | | Fred Freddy, e-mail, 17.09.2011 01:45 Qualified as A3D third crew in HATRON 123 and re-asigned to VAP 61 on Guam Unable to pass flight physical and spent 1966 through 1968 as ground crew mostly with with my friend San Migual in Olopo City In th PI Anybody know Big Jim Shaw. Shot down over Hipong Harbour and lived to tell about it. Gret bunch of guys on "Agony" Guam especily Moon Mullins The Navy in their Wwisdnm moved the P I det from Da Nang just in time for the Tet Offencive Pardon the spelling Parkonkisum Mayer PH1 Retired reply |
| Tim Dowdy, e-mail, 27.06.2011 07:02 I have an actual TA-3B / A-3 Crewmember Seat if anyone is interested. Seat is in great shape, just dont have the need for it any longer. Would be nice in your collection. Thanks for your service gentlemen! reply | | Melvin L "Reb" Mabry, e-mail, 25.06.2011 15:02 The A3 influenced me so much that I got qualified as a third crewman(bomidear\\navigator and flew over 700 hrs and I reenlisted in the navy and went on to make a career in aviation and retired a AFCM. Yes theA3 was the finest aircraft to fly as a crewman andI flew P-3's and C=130. reply | | larry wiggin, e-mail, 12.04.2011 03:13 Iwas a weapons loading crewchief with happy heavy four (VAH-4)from 1961 to 1965. Deployed with det golf 2 times on the USS Oriskany CVA-34,once on the Bonnie Dick and I think that det was echo. VAH-4 flew the A3D-2 in those days and I was lucky enough get to ride the jump seat and the 3rd crewmens seat from time to time, what a blast.The VAH-4 pilots are a special breed in my book, having to land that beast on those 27c class small essex carriers, the best of the best, guys like Cmdr Don Houlk, Lt. Wheeler, Cmdr DK Forbes, Lcdr Backman,.Those where great days, lots of hard work, but lots of fun also. Hail to the fourrunners of VAH-4!!!!!! reply | | Michael Fitzwater(Little Fitz), e-mail, 20.03.2011 19:31 Boot Camp San Diego Jan. 1957, transferred to NAS North Island with brother, Carl Fitzwater AM-3 (Big Fitz) March 1957, carrier quals on Bon Homme Richard, moved to Whidby Island with squadron then deployed USS Ticonderoga Far East Cruise, back to Whidbey then USS Bon Homme Richard Far East Cruise, transferred to VAH-123 for "SHORE DUTY"
for 1 1 /2 years. Was plane captain in VAH-2 and VAH-123 flew 2nd seat in VAH-123 on Carrier Quals and flight training. Big "Fitz" mustered out in 1959 from VAH-2 and I was released in Dec 1961 from VAH-123 after 5 years in A3D's.
Made AMS-1 in VAH-123 but because of a glich in time as 2nd class was not advanced, or so they told me.
Great time in service!!!!!!!!!!! reply | | George Maddox, e-mail, 09.03.2011 07:43 For Dan Siddens.I reported to VAH-2 Jan.of 57 at North Island moved to Whidbey,then flew to Cubi point on 1st
deployment waiting for Ticonderoga.From the carrier our A3D's flew the Taiwan Straits doing recon to see what chicoms were doing around Qemoey /Matsu Islands near Taiwan.
Our A3's being new,gave us fixers few problems and were an
easy fix when necessary.
When I was transferred in fall of 61 to AT instructor duty
I had gone from ATAN to AT1(P2)- A3D Gunner /navigator.Have too many storys to relate including loss of all hydraulic
fluid which required air blowdown of flaps /landing gear.CDR
Barron calmy handled it by calling me when he wanted each.
On touchdown after stopping safely I climbed down with the gear pins,installed them and we taxied to the hanger ramp like nothing had happened.I loved the A3D and Whidbey.
A note for M.J.Luszik :I have old home movies of our JATO
takeoffs at Whidbey.Have converted to DVD.Your bottle numbers are off a little.But you are very right about it being a kick in the butt.All 3 of our demo A3Ds jumped off the runway!I was G /N crew#1 piloted by CDR Barron, B /N Farrar. reply | |
| | WALTER EWANUS, e-mail, 04.03.2011 02:10 NRA-3B- Called "Westinghouse-256" from Friendship should also be recalled. This is the one pictured in JANES. It was our test bed for about 20 years.
Walt- "W" engineer= retired. reply | | Rex Swindle, e-mail, 02.03.2011 20:28 Was ADJ, VAH-2, Whibey Isle.WA. 63-66, and VaQ 130 ( DET-2) Alameda, 70-73 Retired 1975 ! reply | | LCDR Bruce Edney USNR- Ret., e-mail, 26.02.2011 09:36 In early 1956 Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-2 was formed at NAS North Island, San Diego. As a brand new jet pilot I was selected to participate in the Fleet Introduction Program for the A3D-1 at Pax River Maryland, along with crews from VAH-1 on the east coast. We were in training there in Feb. and March of 1956. I was a Bombardier /Navigator and flew with our C.O. CDR. Art Irish. All of us newly trained jet aviators were designated B /N's but we were not happy with this role as we wanted to fly the aircraft, but we had no controls in our seat position. We did later get TV-2s and F3ds to able us to get flight time, which was good! By early 1957 we started to prepare for carrier deployment. This required the plane commanders to complete carrier landing qualifications. All the plane commanders were former P2V pilots with no prior jet experience. I was the B /N with our operations officer CDR Tom Bolton. To deploy with the squadron I needed to extend my service as I was near completion of my service obligation. I really wanted to fly single piloted jets so I requested a transfer to a fighter squadron, but this was not approved. Since I was not going to deploy with the squadron I decided to leave active service and return to my engineering occupation. With this decision I left my B /N assignment and was replaced. I became a staff instrument flight instructor until my release from active duty in July of 1957.
The squadron was ready for carrier quals in the spring of 1957. CDR. Tom Bolton who I was originally was selected to fly with, was slated to be the first in our squadron to make the first arrested landing off San Diego. He with my replacement made several touch and go landings and set up for his first arrested landing. He made his approach, but got low and slow, and was unable to add enough power to avoid hitting the stern of the ship. The aircraft broke in half and the plane and crew were lost over the side. No recovery was possible. This, to my knowledge, was probably, sadly, the first aircraft and crew loss for the A3D. This was obviously a huge setback for the squadron and families of the lost crew. reply |
| Jim Woolley, e-mail, 25.01.2011 00:26 I was stationed at NPTR El Centro from 1971 to 1975 as a Navy Test Parachutist and made five parachute jumps out of the A-3 at 30,000 Ft. 250 knots. Down the slide. What a rush. reply | | John Dudek, e-mail, 15.01.2011 17:54 First flew in A3a's as an enlisted in flight instructor in Weapons Attack division in HATUPAC at Whidbey Is .Most of the student B /N's were junior LTJG's naval aviators assigned to fly as Bombardier / Navigators. Most didn't like the assignment because there were no controls in the second seat therefore no stick time.. Also flew in the TA3B when they first became available. Transfered to VAP-61 on Guam and flew as Photo /nav crewman. Transfered back to VAH-123 at Whidbey and flew as instructor in Crewman / Navigator school. Transferred back to VAP-61 on Guam for anotheer three years and flew as third crewman. Have 2460 logged hours in the airplane as well as 211 catand traps. Flew in dets aboard 11 different carriers, Bonny Dick, Tico, Oriskany, Forrestal, Ranger, Independence, the Connie, Intrepid Enterprise, Saratoga. all most any ship that showed up on Yankee Station. Flew many combat missions and was awarded ten Air Medals and a DFC. There will never be another aircraft like the good old Whale. I loved the bird and was proud to serve with so many great people. Officers treated enlisted crewman with respect Spent a total of six years on Guam and ten years total associated with the greatest aircraft the navy ever bought. Have flown in the A3A, A3B, TA3b, RA3B and KA3B. reply |
| Michael J. Luszik Jr., e-mail, 06.01.2011 19:01 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 |
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Fred Freddy
Nolan, I joined VAH-2, Mar 1956. AE, I knew Punchy and remember several Gut punches. I was on the DET Mike cruise on the Tyconderosa in 57-58. I became a Gunner /Navigator, but was grounded because of my eyes. Got out went to college, joined the Utah Air National Guard, and in went to the Air Force Navigationl School as a second Lt. Flew 5,000 hours, and retired a Lt Col. I still dream about VAH-2, and the CAT Shots.
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