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1:72 RA-5C Vigilante
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[
40-1616]
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SEK:249:-
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The RA-5C was a photographic reconnaissance adaptation of the
Vigilante. It incorporated most of the changes that had been introduced
with the A-5B, including the hump-backed fuselage with the extra fuel,
the larger wing area, the blown flaps on the leading edge, and the four
underwing hardpoints. Four external droptanks could be carried
underneath the wings, although these were seldom carried because there
was ample fuel capacity within the fuselage itself. It was decided that
earlier (now redundant) A-5As would be remanufactured to RA-5C
standards, so the initial production of the RA-5C was restricted to
only 43 planes. Of the 59 A-5As built, 43 were eventually reconfigured
to RA-5Cs. In addition, all 18 of the A-5Bs that were ordered were delivered as RA-5Cs. The first
RA-5C was delivered on December 10, 1963. During the Vietnam War, the
Navy requested additional RA-5Cs, and the production line at North
American-Columbus had to be reopened. 36 additional RA-5Cs were built,
all of them manufactured with the 17,900 lb.s.t. J79-GE-10 engine. Most
RA-5Cs were painted with the standard Navy insignia white and gull gray
scheme. |
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