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Copyright
A-3
Skywarrior
Association
1998-2007
WHALE LANDINGS
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Whale photos pg. 2-A
These photos were submitted by
ex-whalers and friends.
acknowledgement is given if known.
Click on thumbnail image to view
larger version
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Two EA-3Bs flying over Gibraltar. Submitted by Mark Swisher. |
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EA-3B 'Sea Brine' submitted by
Dennis Buley. From VQ-1 and VQ-2 |
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A3D-1s in formation near Sanford, Florida in the early 60s.
Note radar controlled guns mount in tail, no refueling reel, and six 3-position JATO
mounting points, aft of the wheel well door. These
were the original A-3 bombers, BuNo's 135xxx. From Joel
McEachen, VAH-3 (jmcea@optonline.net) |
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A beautiful look at the twin 20mm M3L cannons. The bubble
just above them is the radome for firecontrol, with control console at 3/c station. They
never
proved out and were eliminated; most often kept covered with canvas and duct tape for
corrosion control. Photo from Joel McEachen, VAH-5
(jmcea@optonline.net) |
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LeBourget International Air Salon in Paris, 1961. Airshow apron
below the belly of an A3D-2 of VAH-5, with the"Mushmouth" decal visible above
the engine. Photo by Joel McEachen, VAH-5
(jmcea@optonline.net) |
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Mini tanker! A-4 with belly hose reel and extra tanks under
thewings.
A-4s did the majority of the tanking until A-3s took over.Photo
by Joel McEachen, VAH-3 (jmcea@optonline.net) |
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VQ-2 carrier qualifications with CV-60 (USS
Saratoga) circa 1981. This
EA-3B (144850) crashed aboard USS Nimitz in 1987. Photo
from Mark Swisher. |
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A3D-2 when it was a real bomber!
Joel McEachen, BN, 61-63, VAH-3 & VAH-5
(jmcea@optonline.net) |
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A3D-2 of VAH-5 prepairing for launch off USS Forrestal (CVA-59) Joel McEachen, BN, 61-63, VAH-3 & VAH-5 (jmcea@optonline.net) |
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We participated in an international Naval Review, with a flotilla of
ships of about 8 nations passing in review through the Bay of Naples, HQ
of NATO, Southern Europe (I used to buy popcorn by the case in the
commisary there to trade for good movies, etc.) Forrestal was in the
Med with the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt which, for security purposes, was
usually in the other end of the Med. this day we met for the review.
Notice the 5" 54 calibre semi-automatic gun mounts, of which Forrestal
had 8, 2 on each quarter, in the olden days. Of course, the Whale's
tales are in their usual spot, starboard quarter aft, we carried 12
A3D-2's/A-3B's on each cruise. In all of these photos, you can just
barely "imagine" the "Mushmouth" insignia of VAH-5 high on the tail
and
aft of the cockpit. PC caused its removal in 1962.Joel
McEachen, BN, 61-63, VAH-3 & VAH-5 (jmcea@optonline.net) |
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I had the good fortune to fly with LT C. N. "Charley"
James, now CAPT,
USN(ret.). He could make the A3D do anything in the sky except the
Flogger's or Flanker's (?) tail stand. On a refueling flyby, he asked
if I wanted to count the A4d-5's rivets. I did. This picture is my
pride and joy. One looker asked if the A-4 was riding our bow wave.Joel McEachen, BN, 61-63, VAH-3 & VAH-5 (jmcea@optonline.net) |
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A highlight of our Air Power demos both off the Virginia capes
and in
the Med was a flyby of a Whale refueling from a Scooter (the standard
tanker in 1961 with two wing tanks and a buddy store with drogue). In
this one, you can see we are plugged in, Forrestal is 10 o'clock low.Joel McEachen, BN, 61-63, VAH-3 & VAH-5 (jmcea@optonline.net) |
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