CRM114

I was sorting through some of my dad's old photos and came across an AC that I can't ID. Anyone know what this is? (not the F4 )




Is this an A-5?

FamilyATM

I believe that it is the follow on aircraft, the RA-5C.

UAL T38 Phlyer

It is an A-5, although I can't tell if it is an RA-5C. There were attack variants, and reconnaisance variants. The recce version had a canoe-fairing under the fuselage, but from this camera angle, you can't tell. However, it seems that the majority of those built were RA-5Cs.

The A-5 used two J-79 engines, just like the F-4. It had a bomb-bay tunnel that could eject a nuke rearwards, between the two engines.

The vertical fin was unusual. It has no rudder. In the same manner that most supersonic fighters use an all-moving horizontal stabilizer, North American made the vertical fin all-moving as well (didn't believe it when I read about it, but I saw it on the airplane at the museum in Pensacola).

I always thought this airplane was very sleek and ahead of its time. The fuselage actually was largely adapted from the Air Force's aborted F-108 Rapier program.

ERJF15

Looks like an RA...I can make out the camera fairing on the centerline.

jsfBoat

I believe there is a Vigilante in the very beginning of "The Final Countdown" when the F-14 is taking off

Packrat

Had a buddy who was an RA-5C pilot. He said those things came aboard at 170kts. No wonder RA-5 pilots had lots of unusual tics.

brianb

Are those first generation winglets at the end of the wing?? Just kidding fellas. Out of all the naval aircraft of that era, I believe that the A-5 is the most beautiful. Just a great airplane to look at and would have loved to piloted one around. Sounds like a very challenging beast to bring aboard.