North American RA-5C Vigilante

The Vigilante's early service proved troublesome, with many teething problems for its advanced systems. It also arrived in service during a major policy shift in the U.S. Navy's strategic role, which switched to emphasize submarine launched ballistic missiles rather than manned bombers. As a result, in 1963, procurement of the A-5 was ended and the type was converted to the fast reconnaissance role. The first RA-5Cs were delivered to the Replacement Air Group (RAG)/Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), Reconnaissance Attack Squadron THREE (RVAH-3) at NAS Sanford, Florida in July 1963, with all Vigilante squadrons subsequently redesignated RVAH. Under the cognizance of Reconnaissance Attack Wing ONE, a total of 10 RA-5C squadrons were ultimately commissioned. RVAH-3 continued to be responsible for the stateside-based RA-5C training mission of both flight crews, maintenance and support personnel, while RVAH-1, RVAH-5, RVAH-6, RVAH-7, RVAH-9, RVAH-11, RVAH-12, RVAH-13 and RVAH-14 routinely deployed aboard Forrestal, Kitty Hawk, Enterprise, America, John F. Kennedy and eventually Nimitz-class aircraft carriers to the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Western Pacific.
RA-5C Vigilante, BuNo 156608, from Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 7 (RVAH-7) during what may have been its final flight in 1979. This aircraft is now on permanent display at Naval Support Activity Mid-South (formerly NAS Memphis), TN.
RA-5C Vigilante, BuNo 156608, from Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 7 (RVAH-7) during what may have been its final flight in 1979. This aircraft is now on permanent display at Naval Support Activity Mid-South (formerly NAS Memphis), TN.
RVAH-11 USS Kitty Hawk 1968
RVAH-11 USS Kitty Hawk 1968

Eight of ten squadrons of RA-5C Vigilantes also saw extensive service in Vietnam starting in August 1964, carrying out hazardous medium-level reconnaissance missions. Although it proved fast and agile, 18 RA-5Cs were lost in combat: 14 to anti-aircraft fire, three to surface-to-air missiles, and one to a MiG-21 during Operation Linebacker II. Nine more were lost in operational accidents while serving with Task Force 77. Due, in part, to these combat losses, 36 additional RA-5C aircraft were built from 19681970 as attrition replacements.

In 1968, Congress closed the aircraft's original operating base of NAS Sanford, Florida and transferred the parent wing, Reconnaissance Attack Wing ONE, all subordinate squadrons and all aircraft and personnel to Turner AFB, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-52 and KC-135 base in Albany, Georgia. The tenant SAC bomb wing was then deactivated and control of Turner AFB was transferred from the Air Force to the Navy with the installation renamed NAS Albany. In 1974, after barely six years of service as a naval air station, Congress opted to close NAS Albany as part of a post-Vietnam force reduction, transferring all RA-5C units and personnel to NAS Key West, Florida.

Despite the Vigilante's useful service, it was expensive and complex to operate and occupied significant amounts of precious flight deck and hangar deck space aboard both conventional and nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. With the end of the Vietnam War, disestablishment of RVAH squadrons began in 1974, with the last Vigilante squadron, RVAH-7, completing its final deployment to the Western Pacific aboard USS Ranger (CV-61) in late 1979. Reconnaissance Attack Wing ONE was subsequently disestablished at NAS Key West, Florida in January 1980.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• North
• American
• A-5
• RA-5
• Vigilante
• reconnaissance
• naval
• carrier
• aircraft
• aviation
• space
• airplane
• Vietnam

[Bluebonnett52]

I was a controller in the USN. We called these things flying emergencies. But I'll tell you what...even tied down on the ramp, they looked like they were doing about 450 knots...

[catlarry]

Worked on Vigilantes from '63 to '66 at NAS Sanford, FL, Heavy 5 and Heavy 3. Best years of my life. So used to hearing Vigilantes flying over the barracks at night, after I got out of the Navy, couldn't sleep without that noise, it was too quiet.

Heaven, for me, would be working out of an RA5C ASB shop 24 hrs a day for eternity. I would pull a ball every day and never complain. Maybe I'd like to get liberty to go to Orlando every so often ;-)

[ChamplainDivision]

There seems to be A LOT of similarity between this aircraft and North American's aborted F-108 Rapier of 1958.

[bgdavmn]

I was assigned to heavy 3 for training and then transfered to RVAH-11 from 1969 until 1971. I will never forget the friends I made during this time. I often think of them and wonder what happened to my fellow sailors. David Manderson..

bgdavmn@aol.com

[FixRite4U]

AQB-2 Sanford '68 Heavy 3 OJT Leader for ASB-12 system then NAS Albany 'til 1970. As others have said the plane looked like it was moving even if it was tied down. Yes the pilot could be hanging over the edge of the deck because the nose was so long. In AB at night was quite a site. Bomb nav system with HUD, digital computer and terrain avoidance radar way before GPS could guide hands off across the US and end up a few feet from where you wanted to go...in the 1960's!! Beautiful airplane

[dkkght46]

@Bluebonnett52 I dearmed the last RA-5C in Millington Tenn. Last time I knew it was on a stand infront of the chow hall.

[HuasoPodrido]

I can not imagine landing that beast on a moving carrier!

[nev594]

The Vigilante has to the most beautiful airplane in the world. Unfortunately I was 8 years old when they were phased out so I never got to work on or even see one fly. But ever since I was a kid I have always loved this plane. I just want to say thank you to the men and women of the US Navy who maintained and flew this great machine.

[catlarry]

@therwoodard I was in ASB. What was your rate?

[therwoodard]

@catlarry I was in heavy five from aug 1962 untill jan 1966 THE WOODMAN

[StiviGun1]

A really remarkable piece of engineering made by a great aircraft designing company. Why didn't they make a version for the US air fore as well?