HOME      North American A-5 Vigilante


Click on the picture to hear the wav sound.

NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.

The North American A-5 Vigilante was one of the most advanced and largest aircraft to operate from United States Navy carriers at the time of its deployment.

They were quick and maneuverable for a large aircraft. However, they had a relatively fast landing speed due to their high wing loading. This was a problem for some pilots.

The Vigilante was the first production aircraft to utilize fly-by-wire technology.

The aircraft were the first to be equipped with an automated bombing system using both radar and T.V. imaging for aiming.

It was the first aircraft ever deployed with a Head Up Display (HUD).

The A-5 was the first aircraft capable of low altitude navigation using a terrain following radar system.

Although they served as an attack aircraft, some believe that the aircraft had an influence on the design of the Soviet interceptors.

A total of 158 North American A-5 Vigilante aircraft of all types were produced.


RA-5C Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engines:
        Thrust:
        Length:
        Wingspan:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Ordnance:
        Cruise Speed:
        Max. Speed:
        Initial Climb:
        Ceiling:
        Range:
        First Flight:
        Year Deployed:
reconnaissance
two
GE J79
2 x 17,859 lbs. ea.
76' 6"
53' 0"
37,498 lbs.
79,588 lbs.
none
560 mph
1,290 mph
8,000 fpm
49,000 feet
2,050 miles
6/14/62
1964
Radio Control Airplane
A rc A-5 Vigilante built by Harold Ferguson.
Radio Control Airplanes:
----------------------------------------------------------------
Immediately above is a photo of the great looking scratch built RC North American A-5 Vigilante by Harold Ferguson. The radio control airplane has a wing span of 47" and a length of 66". Scale oleo struts and a knee type nose gear strut add to the scale appearance of the RC Airplane. Harold's A-5 Vigilante is powered by a Wren MW 54 turbine.

Pictured first below is the rc A-5 Vigilante by Nitro Planes.  It has a 40" wingspan and is EDF powered.

Pictured second below is the Flying Models A-5 Vigilante rc airplane. It is designed by Phil Nuckles and features fiberglass and foam construction. Wing span is 63" and length is 87". Suggested power is a single Byro-jet fan powered by an O.S. .91 engine.

Mark Frankel Plans will sell you their plans for a rc A-5 Vigilante rc. The plans are no. 902 available from RC Modeler magazine. It has a 66” wing span. Construction materials are balsa, ply, fiberglass and foam core for the wings. We were unable to find any information on how it is powered.

The last picture on this page is of the A-5 Vigilante rc profile model built by Frank Burke. You can find the build article in RC Groups. It has a wing span of 24" and a length of 28". Frank powers his rc airplane with a park 300 motor pusher prop. It is made from 6 mm Depron foam and weighs 7.2 oz.

We are surprised not to find more A-5 Vigilante rc airplanes. They are nice looking aircraft and surely would make good flying radio control airplane models.

Please email us with pictures and details if you have built a rc North American A-5 Vigilante or one of its variants, or know of any that you can recommend to put on this page


Radio Control Airplane
A rc A-5 Vigilante from Nitro Planes.
Radio Control Airplane
RC A-5 Vigilante from Mark Frankel Plans.


Radio Control Airplanes
A-5 Vigilante rc by Frank Burke.