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By: minmiester - 30th March 2001 at 10:43
These two aircraft were initially very similar, both in size and capability, although the F-111 went on to become the far more potent aircraft, whereas the A-5 was unfortunately rendered to the recon-role. Both aircraft look fantastic (and similar, apart from the wing structure), and I'd just like some comments, stats, pictures (PLEASE, good A-5 pics have been hard to come by for me) regarding these two beautiful birds.
MinMiester
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Posts: 885
By: Ference - 30th March 2001 at 11:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: A-5 Vigilante vs. F-111
Initially the A-5A was designed as a nuclear bomber. Its large bomb bay could carry a single large nuclear weapon, ejecting backwards. Wing pylons were usually used for carriage of fuel tanks only. Were they able to carry bombs at all on the wing pylons????
I think it proved difficult to accomodate convential weapons in the bomb bay. That is probably why it was never developed into a convential strike a/c. The recce kit probably did fit easily in the bomb bay. I often wondered what a convential strike A-5 (A-5D??) would have been like. Instead the USN bought the A-6 Intruder, an excellent strike a/c in itself. Could the convential strike A-5 have been better, I wonder????
Ference.
P.S. Min, stats and pics will follow later, unless someone beats me to it.
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Posts: 885
By: Ference - 30th March 2001 at 11:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: A-5 Vigilante vs. F-111
http://www.puebloonline.com/PHAS/ra5cvigi.gif
http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/history/bna/ra-5c.gif
http://www.naval-air.org/In%20Flight%20Pix/RA-5C-Flight.jpg
Specifications:
Wing Span 53'.
Length 73' 2 1/2".
Ht. 19' 4 3/4".
Max. Speed Mach 2.1.
Power Two 10900 Lb. General Electric J79-GE turbo Jets.
Cruise 1254 mph.
Range 3000 miles.
Service Ceiling 64000 '.
Armament Air to air missiles.
Crew 2.
Other data I've found:
TECHNICAL DATA (RA-5C)
Manufacturer: North American Aviation, Inc.
Type: Carrier-borne electronic and visual reconnaissance
Crew: Pilot and observer/radar operator
Powerplant: Two 10,800 lb s.t. GE J79-GE-10 turbojets
Dimensions: Span 53'; length 76' 6"
Weight: 79,588 lbs gross
Speed: Mach 2.1
Range: 1,500 miles
Note the difference in stated range!!! 1500nm probably means combat range and 3000nm means ferry range. Any comments?
Ference.
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Posts: 885
By: Ference - 30th March 2001 at 11:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: A-5 Vigilante vs. F-111
The first picture is of an A-5A variant. My previous post consisted of pictures of the RA-5C variant If I'm not mistaken.
http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/photo/A-5A/Medium/ECN-231.jpg
http://vectorsite.tripod.com/ava5.gif
More info on the Vigilante can be found at:
http://vectorsite.tripod.com/ava5.html
As you can see (3 posts in a row) I'm a big fan of this aircraft. IMHO, it is one of the most beaautiful a/c ever designed. Shame it was retired so soon.
Best regards,
Ference.
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Posts: 1,400
By: minmiester - 30th March 2001 at 13:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: A-5 Vigilante vs. F-111
Thanks for your replies Ference!!! A-5 is one of my favs too, probably because it's profile is very similar to the F-111 :). Was the A-5 ever planned for land-based strikes? Or did it only make it into naval service?
MinMiester
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Posts: 885
By: Ference - 30th March 2001 at 13:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: A-5 Vigilante vs. F-111
Relatively few A-5s were built, and AFAIK they were only used as naval assets. Variants of the A-5 were offered to the USAF (as interceptors!!), but these were all rejected.
Ference.
P.S. Does anybody have any pictures of A-5s landing or catapulting off the carrier??
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Posts: 2
By: gvgoebel - 30th March 2001 at 14:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: A-5 Vigilante vs. F-111
> More info on the Vigilante can be found at:
>
> http://vectorsite.tripod.com/ava5.html
>
> Best regards, Ference.
This document will be expanded and updated before the end
of April, with additional information and illustrations.
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By: Anonymous - 30th March 2001 at 21:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: A-5 Vigilante vs. F-111
Just imagine how fun the Vigilante was to land on carriers....
elp
usa
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