a3d

Close in color picture of airborne A-3B Skywarrior. The small serial number on lower rear fuselage may be read as 147656 KA-3B Skywarrior 147656 VAQ-130 DET 4 USS RANGER Modex 610 on nose Some notes; A3D-2 Skywarrior 147656 Originally built as A3D-2 Accepted By US Navy July 1960 Became A-3B from 1962 May 1967. Converted by NARF Alameda to EKA-3B. Nov. 1974 converted to KA-3B. Assigned to VAQ-308 later VAK-308. 1961 picture of A3D-2 147656: geta-o.maxs.jp/USMIL/A/A-3/A-3B/A-3B.htm geta-o.maxs.jp/USMIL/A/A-3/A-3B/147656(NG6)A-3B-0040.jpg VAH-6. Modex 6. Tail code NG. 1961.11.03/ATSUGI (3 March 1961 over NAF Atsugi, Japan) In 1968 EKA-3B 147656 was aboard CVA-66 USS AMERICA as Modex 716, later 016 with VAW-13 DET.66 with CVW-6 (code AE): www.gonavy.jp/CVW6-AE1968.html This was before or between April 10 & Dec.16, 1968 (Vietnam War deployment) Then in 1969 EKA-3B 147656 joined VAQ-133 as Modex 615 to sail with CVW-14 (code NK) aboard CVA-64 USS CONSTELLATION www.gonavy.jp/CVW14-NK1969.html before or between Aug.11, 1969 & May 8, 1970 (another Vietnam War assignment) Here’s a pictures and a record of EKA-3B 147656 as Modex 615 with VAQ-130 DET 3 dated 24 Aug 1971: www.vaq34.com/a3list/147656.jpg geta-o.maxs.jp/USMIL/A/A-3/EKA-3B/EKA-3B.htm geta-o.maxs.jp/USMIL/A/A-3/EKA-3B/147656(NM615)EKA-3B-087... VAQ-130 DET-3 147656/NM615 1971.08.24/ATSUGI Note tail code NM of CVW-19. This was when embarked on CVA-34 USS ORISKANY between May 14 & Dec.18, 1971 (again in support of the Vietnam War) www.gonavy.jp/CVW19-NM1971.html Relating to the above ‘flickr’ pic, VAQ-130 DET 4 using Modex codes starting with 610 is recorded here: www.gonavy.jp/CV-CV61f.html as being aboard CVA-61 USS RANGER some time between May 7 & Oct.18 1974 for a WestPac voyage. This was as part of CVW-2 code NE.. So the picture is approximately dated year 1974. 1976 picture of now KA-3B 147656 with VAQ-308. Stylised Tail code ND. Modex 636 www.alamedanavalairmuseum.org/Units/Aircraft/VAK-308.aspx taken on 14 July 1976 --provided by Mr. Robert M. Cieri. 1977 picture of KA-3B 147656: www.gonavy.jp/bbs1/index.cgi?page:160=v www.gonavy.jp/bbs2-a3.html KA-3B 147656. VAQ-308. Stylised Tail code ND. Modex 634. Dated May 28 1977. Over NAF Atsugi, Japan. 1977 reference to KA-3B 147656: seagull77.web.infoseek.co.jp/IwakuniH/ih.html “May 30 5 VAQ-308 EKA-3B (ND634/147656)” On May 30 1977 - EKA-3B 147656 of VAQ-308 as Modex 634, was sighted flying over MCAS base Iwakuni. Japan. (after use of a translation facility) It appears the aircraft retained the same markings as ND Modex 634 for many years: www.cloud9photography.us/Military-Aviation-10/Douglas-KA-... Douglas KA-3B Skywarrior #147656 VAK-308 Alameda 1985 by Peter J Mancus These ‘flickr’ pics show KA-3B 147656 near the end of its career: www.flickr.com/photos/rv8tor/4807284937/ www.flickr.com/photos/rv8tor/4807907100/ KA-3B 147656 at NAS Moffett Field air show VAQ-308 website with picture of KA-3B 147656: skywarrior.cool.ne.jp/vaq-308sub.htm 1985 pictures of KA-3B 147656: www.airfighters.com/photo/47065/M/USA-Navy/Douglas-KA-3B-... KA-3B (147656) ND/634 VAK-308 NAS Oceana Sept, 1985. David F Brown. www.aircraftprofiles.dk/wp-content/gallery/vak-308-griffi... A KA-3B of VAK-308 "Griffins" (147656) on Sept 14th, 1985 (Photo; Paul Minert collection) (Very many thanks and credit to Takafumi Hiroe of Japan for all ‘GO!NAVY’ references) This comprehensive AMARC Inventory listing for 2nd December 1998 does not record KA-3B 147656: f4phantom.co.uk/tucson/amarc.txt KA-3B 147656 is not recorded in the MASDC & AMARC Database - Douglas A-3 Skywarrior www.amarcexperience.com/AMARCDB.asp?SessionId=826193756&a... www.amarcexperience.com/AMARCDB.asp?SessionId=534092316&a... Its fate is unknown. Although by year 2010 it will have long been scrapped, perhaps at a Naval Air Station.

Turning in formation high over the ocean. A3D-2 Skywarrior 138934 VAH-4 ' Fourunners' Modex 7. CVG-19 below NAVY Early type lightly framed canopy, rounded nosecone, periscope fairing beneath nose, gun turret and gun laying radar dome on rear fuselage. VAH-4 ' Fourunners' provided a detachment to Carrier Air Group Nineteen (CVG-19) on three occasions between 1960 & 1963 aboard CVA-31 USS Bon Homme Richard. Info from these 'GO!NAVY' webpages: www.gonavy.jp/CVG-CVG19f.html www.gonavy.jp/navy/sqn/VAQ131.html (Thanks and credit to Takafumi Hiroe of Japan for ‘GO!NAVY’ information) Color profile of above aircraft as depicted: wp.scn.ru/en/ww3/b/796/3/0/7 Unit: VAH-13, US Navy Serial: 7/ZB (BuNo.138934) www.aerofiles.com/_doug.html (use slider to scroll one third down page for second A3D entry and 138934) Picture of A3D-2 138934 being catapulted to take off speed, with tail code ZA of VAH-2, Modex 4. And from CVG-5 www.aerofiles.com/doug-a3d2.jpg 1958 picture of A3D-2 138934, tail code ZA of VAH-2, Modex 4. And from CVG-5 www015.upp.so-net.ne.jp/checkertail/archives/011.htm Passing overhead during landing at NAF Atsugi, Japan. VAH-2 Det B using code ZA was part of CVG-5 aboard CVA-31 USS BON HOMME RICHARD some time between July 12 & Dec.9, 1957 ('WestPac' voyage) www.gonavy.jp/CVG-CVG5f.html Picture of A3D-2 138934, tail code NG of CVG-9 landing at Yokota air base Japan. Date unknown: It may have belonged to VAH-2 on CVA-14 USS Ticonderoga 1957/1958 or with VAH-6 on CV-61 USS Ranger from 1960; www015.upp.so-net.ne.jp/checkertail/archives/060.htm www.gonavy.jp/navy/sqn/VAH06.html www.gonavy.jp/CVG-CVG9-2f.html Some notes on A-3B 138934; Originally built as A3D-2 Number 85 on Skywarrior production line Constructor Number 10795 Accepted by US Navy May 1957 Re-designated A-3B from 1962. March 4, 1963. Lost in carrier landing accident while operated by VAH-13. This dedicated 'A-3 Skywarrior Association' website records the incident: www.a3skywarrior.com/memorial/full_accident_date.htm A/C struck the ramp & boltered after going below the glide slope & LSO called wave off. MLG debris hit the LSO. Lost hydraulics preventing 'bingo' diversion to NAS Atsugi. Plane caught fire on the starboard beam. Two chutes were seen. A/C crashed 4 miles ahead of CVA [MLG; Main Landing Gear] The plane struck ramp while landing on CVA-63 USS Kitty Hawk, March 4, 1963 500 mi SE of Tokyo. Became airborne again, caught fire, 2 of three crewmembers seen parachuting from plane, plane crashed into ocean. 2 crewmembers killed, one survived. LSO hit by debris and injured. These facts confirmed by Kenneth Mortensen who was eyewitness of this accident. Pilot; Lieutenant Commander James Wilson Jr Bombardier Navigator; Lieutenant John Shoemaker AM3; ADJ2 Charles Eustace (AM3; Aircraft Structural Mechanic Third Class (Naval rating) (ADJ2; Aviation Machinist's Mate, Jet Engine Mechanic, Second Class [Navy rating]) Landing Signal Officer; LCDR William Carey It is not known who jumped out and if they survived, from the injury codes provided. (Thanks and credit to Takafumi Hiroe of Japan for all ‘GO!NAVY’ info) Go here for two very pertinent stories from men who experienced bailing out of a Skywarrior: www.a3skywarrior.com/whaletales/leaving.html 'We Are Leaving the Aircraft' and 'Crew Bails Out; Pilot Saves Plane'

Standing on the ramp. A-3B Skywarrior 142242 242 on tip of nose Seemingly in overall white paint as part of National Parachute Test Range. The aircraft was lost in 1976. As yet there is no known detailed web based record of its loss if the crew survived. Taken from these webpages: app.razorplanet.com/acct/42440-9650/tmpl/index.php?nid=10... The Aerospace Recovery Facility at El Centro, California supported the space program in a joint role with the US Air Force and US Navy as the National Parachute Test Range. NPTR operated several aircraft including an A3 Skywarrior from the early 1960’s to 1979. Bu No 142242 replaced Bu No 130353 after it crashed at an air show in El Centro around 1964. www.a3skywarrior.com/html_files/a-3production.html A-3B 142242 was operated from NARF until April 1976 when destroyed in a crash landing at Lakehurst, New Jersey, during a test program when the forward and aft fuel cells exploded during off center arresting gear test in April 1976 Some notes on A-3B 142242 Originally built as A3D-2 Number 135 on Skywarrior production line Constructor Number 11568 Accepted by US Navy April 1957 Re-designated A-3B from 1962. There is a personal story involving A3D-2 142242 here: (Use slider to scroll down two thirds of page) Howard "Nick" Nickerson December 7, 2007 at 11:44 pm a3skywarrior.wordpress.com/2006/08/24/welcome-whalers/ The attached photo shows Ltjg Nickerson, Ens Flynn, and Chief Pariani about to celebrate the 93,000 landing on the USS Midway on June 30, 1961 in VAH-8′s A3 Buno 142242. A faulty fire warning light allowed them the opportunity to be the first recovery, thus cutting out of the pattern the planned trap for CAG. (read rest of story…it’s a good tale) [No photo is apparent] Here is a 1961 picture with A3D-2 Skywarrior 142242 included: www.aircraftprofiles.dk/wp-content/gallery/vah-13-bats/13... www.aircraftprofiles.dk/?page_id=351&album=26&gal... VAH-13 Bats. A Flight of three A3D-2s over the SoLant. (600:138906 ; 604: 142242 ; 603: 138955) while deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) from Aug. 11th, 1961 to Nov. 1st, 1961. These three birds are jettison fuel prior to trapping aboard CVA-63. Notice the slight differences in paint scheme even between these birds of the same squadron The nose dome, tip of the vertical stabilizer, BuNo font and modex number font. [Note 142242 wears tail code GP of VAH-13 'Bats' and Modex 604] Three excellent color pictures with the nose of A3D-2 142242 included - identified in captions from this VA-113 web page; a4skyhawk.org/3e/va113/va113p.htm This was when VAH-13 'Bats' was aboard CVA-63 USS Kiitty Hawk between Sept 13, 1962 & April 2, 1963 (WestPac voyage) VAH-13 used its squadron code GP in Modex range 600. a4skyhawk.org/5e/g147669/html/147688a.htm a4skyhawk.org/5e/g147669/html/147688b.htm a4skyhawk.org/5e/g147669/html/147688c.htm USS Kitty Hawk. Bats A3D BuNo 142242, Modex 604. August 1962