HOME      Douglas A-3 Skywarrior

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Click on the picture to hear the wav sound.

NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
The Douglas A-3D, redesignated A-3 Skywarrior "Whale" was the largest U.S. Navy carrier-based aircraft.
 
Early during W. W. II the U.S. Navy began to explore the concept of jet powered aircraft large enough to provide for strategic bombing capability operating from carriers
 
In Jan. of 1948 the Navy issued a requirement for the development of a long range carrier based attack aircraft that could carry a 10,000 lb. bomb.
 
On Sept. 29, 1949 the Navy awarded a contract to Douglas Aircraft for the production and development of the A-3 Skywarrior.
 
The Navy purchased 282 Skywarriors between 1954 and 1961.
 
Some A-3 Aircraft were employed over Vietnam and later in the 1991 Gulf War.  A-3 variants were used for attack, in-flight refueling, training, reconnaissance and for electronic warfare and countermeasures.
 
The United States Air Force used a version of the A-3 that was designated the Douglas B-66 Destroyer. It saw action in the Vietnam war, primarily as a bomber. Other versions of the aircraft were used for electronic countermeasures and for reconnaissance. A total of 294 B-66 Destroyer aircraft were produced.

 
 

A-3 Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engines:
        Thrust:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Cannons:
        Payload:
        Length:
        Wingspan:
        Cruise Speed:
        Max. Speed:
        Climb Rate:
        Ceiling:
        Range:
        First Flight:
        Year Deployed:		 attack/bomber
3 to 7
P&W J57
2- 10,500 lbs ea.
39,400 lbs.
82,000 lbs.
2- 20mm in tail
12,000 lbs.
76' 4:
72' 6"
520 mph
610 mph
3,600 fpm
41,000 feet
2,100 miles
10/28/52
1954
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane from Chris Golds plans.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
For RC modelers who like jets, the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior makes an interesting RC Airplane. However, we have not seen many A-3 radio control airplanes modeled.
 
Pictured above is the A-3 Skywarrior RC Airplane from Triplet Publications plans. The radio control airplane has a wing span of 60" and a length of 58". Recommended power for the RC Airplane comes from a pair of Plettenberg HP 200/25/4 motors driving WeMoTec 480 Mini Fans. All up weight of the radio control airplane is around 7 lbs.
 
The first picture below is of the A-3 RC Airplane scratch built by Roy Smith from Upland, California. The radio control airplane has a wing span of 49" and a length of 50.5". Powering the RC Airplane are a pair of HET EDF 3W motors driving HET 6904 fans. The radio control airplane weighs 4.4 lbs.
 
The next picture below is the A-3D Skywarrior RC Airplane scratch built by Robert Shepherd. Wing span of the radio control airplane is 47" and length is 48". Two Jet Screamer motors driving XF fans power the RC Airplane. The radio control airplane is built from Depron foam. All up weight of the RC Airplane is 34 oz.
 
Please email us if you have built a A-3 Skywarrior radio control airplane, or can recommend A-3 RC Airplane plans, kits, or an ARF.
 
 
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane scratch built by Roy Smith.
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane built by Robert Shepherd.