This SAVE-THE-WHALE is issued by the A-3 Association for Immediate Action

In 1952 the first A-3 Skywarrior flew and still today is operational with Raytheon Flight Test Operations. Originally designed to deliver a 12,000 pound atomic bomb from Essex and Forrestal class aircraft carriers in order to combat the Soviet threat during the early cold war years. As that mission was taken over by the Posieden class submarines, the Skywarrior evolved into a conventional bomber, airborne tanker, electronic and photographic reconnaisance, electronic jammer, trainer, VIP transport and airborne testbed. Douglas aircraft company designed, tested, and built 283 A-3’s for the US Navy and 296 B-66’s for the US Air Force.

The Mission Recently, the A-3 Skywarrior Association was notified by the CO of Naval Station Rota that EA-3B 146457 will need to be relocated stateside. The aircraft is presently displayed in front of the Rota BOQ as a memorial to VQ-2 Skipper CDR Duam and crew who lost their lives during an A-3 cold war mission. Our present day mission is to find a home for this bird and support that museum in relocating and proudly displaying this former VQ-1 and VQ-2 electronic reconnaisance Whale. Current Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/fcbarcelona/EA3BSkywarrior?authkey=tDGZbPhUgRss

The Goal Phase One: Locate a museum that seriously wants to display an A-3 Skywarrior. That museum should be approved by either the GSA or NMNA to display military aircraft.

• Complete: Primary – USS Alabama Memorial Park Alternate: Fort Worth FAC Museum Phase Two: Our goal is to raise the dollars and volunteers necessary to acquire, transport, preserve and display this aircraft. This piece of the Cold War, Vietnam, and Gulf War should be preserved and not destroyed

How You Can Help Skywarrior BuNo 146457, (see above), was built in 1960. This particular “Whale” was stationed at VQ-1 in Guam from 1960 until 1989. She was then transferred to VQ-2 in Rota, Spain where she remains today. We need sponsors (museum, corporate, and individuals) to save this historic airplane from the scrappers. Please help now. Gifts of any size will make a difference, but time is running out for this old veteran of the Cold War and other combats. There is an immediate urgency to act. CO, Rota has given us a limited time in which to recover and display this airplane or it will be destroyed. If we meet this goal, we will save this piece of aviation history and Naval heritage for future generations. We need your help to preserve this great aircraft, and tell the Reconnaisance story. Some or all of your sponsorship or donations may be tax deductible. Correspondence concerning acquisition and your donations for 146457 send to:

A-3 Skywarrior Association
4225 Inspiration Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76126

Thanks for your support,

Mark Swisher,
A-3 Assoc. Treasurer
markswisher@msn.com
(817) 819-6623

The purpose of this Association is to provide an on-going fraternal-social affiliation of individuals who have flown in or foster, encourage, and support the memory of the A-3 “Skywarrior” aircraft and who are dedicated to the perpetuation of the legend, history, traditions, and camaraderie associated with the A-3 “Skywarrior”. The A-3 Skywarrior Association is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, IRS EIN 43-1906260