The A-5 Vigilante

[Dan4th]

Here's an aircraft you don't hear much about
any longer, the North American A-5 Vigilante.
A Mach 2 plus attack bomber (carrier based!)
that first flew in 1958. Under 200 built, and
like the Vulcan in that it is basically just a
Very Large Fighter Aircraft........



I built a model of one back in the early 60s,
but I'm sad to say I've never actually SEEN
one. I'll see what else I can find....

Here's another -- not much out there!



And another. Anyone ever see one of these?



Dan4th

[Saracenman]

I'm pretty sure I've HEARD of the Vigilante but, until you posted those clips, i wouldn't have known what one looked like!

Wiki reckons there are quite a few around still: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A5_Vigilante#Survivors

sm

[Dan4th]

But none flying, alas!

D.

[Xplumberlives]

Well Danforth, I was aware of the monster that the Vigilante was and only you guys would have designed it for carrier use! LOL

[Dan4th]

Well, it WAS intended to carry a Nuclear
Device such as they were in the late 50s,
early 60s -- that is: BIG and HEAVY. As
far as weight goes, I think the latest F-18s
are in the same weight class.

I ALSO find it interesting that the Vigilante
bears a striking resemblance to a certain
lamented, never-produced British Attack
Aircraft which shall remain nameless.

Cousin of R2D2..........

Danf.

[Xplumberlives]

Not the big white one!

[Dan4th]

YIP!

[Saracenman]

i can't for the life of me ever conceive TSR2 being flown from a carrier, though!

sm

[Xplumberlives]

i can't for the life of me ever conceive TSR2 being flown from a carrier, though!
sm

That's why it was cancelled, our carriers weren't big enough!

[Dan4th]

[Saracenman]

certainly was/is a LOOKER!

[Dan4th]

A lot of the tech for the Vigilante came from
THIS aircraft that North American was working
on for the Air Force: The XF-108 Rapier



Plz. note the Wingtips!

It should also be noted that the Third project they
were working on at the time was the XB-70 Valkyrie.

"From the People who brought you Mustang and Sabre!"

Danf.

[Xplumberlives]

Yes all three looka sthough they might be related in a brotherly way!