World / USA / Florida / Warrington, 3 km from center Coordinates: 30°21'11"N   87°18'15"W

Viggie



North American A-5 (or A3J) Vigilante (aka the "Viggie") strike bomber. Reportedly the largest combat aircraft ever routinely operated from carriers. Formed part of USN nuclear strike capabilities in 1950s-1960s. Possessed a linear bomb bay which ejected the ordinance out the rear of the aircraft as it passed over the target. Problems with the bomb ejection system resulted in the bulk of Vigilantes being converted to RA-5 recon versions. Very fast. Could outrun most fighters of the day at high altitude in the clean configuration. Served until early 1980s.
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Edited: 12 months ago Languages: en