A-5 Vigilante

The story of the RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance/attack navigator who became the only American aviator to escape after being captured in North Vietnam

The story of the RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance/attack navigator who became the only American aviator to escape after being captured in North Vietnam

On Mar. 9, 1967, RVAH-13 RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance/attack navigator (RAN) Lt(jg) Frank Prendergast embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) became… Read More

12 months ago

That time an RA-5C pilot jokingly said the Vigilante was aimed to replace the SR-71 Blackbird

The legendary SR-71 Blackbird was then operating from Kadena AFB. The visiting RA-5C Vigilante drew its usual oohs and aahs…… Read More

2 years ago

Former RA-5C Pilot explains why Vigilante’s drivers were a sort of Superman

The RA-5C Vigilante had a fearsome reputation among pilots. Indeed, there were cases of officers turning down orders to an… Read More

2 years ago

Naval Aviator explains why the Iconic Vigilante is his favorite US Navy Aircraft

‘The “Viggie” was fast as stink - Mach 2 at altitude - and I always felt it was just a… Read More

3 years ago

Serpentine Six Pack: A quick look at the General Electric YJ93, the engine that made the XB-70 the loudest aircraft of its time

Both XB-70s used six single-shaft General Electric YJ93-GE-3 turbojets, each developing 28,800lb thrust at sea level or 19,000lb in military… Read More

4 years ago

That Time an RA-5C Vigilante and its F-4 Escort Pulled Up into a Thunderstorm to Evade North Vietnamese AAA, were Flipped Upside Down by the Turbulence and Popped Out of the Squall Inverted

`Once back on the ship, the guys in the ready room threatened to mount a Brownie camera on top of… Read More

4 years ago

The RA-5C Vigilante’s Flights Over Cuba during the Missile Crisis that Never Were and “Jiffy Soda” Missions

On Oct. 13, 1962 John Fosness, then Vigilante Programme Manager at NAA received a call from the Pentagon at his… Read More

4 years ago

Impressive photo shows RA-5C Vigilante doing successful barricade arrestment aboard USS Constellation

The RA-5C was damaged by antiaircraft fire during a combat mission over Vietnam Taken on Aug. 18, 1968 the impressive… Read More

6 years ago

THAT TIME A U.S. NAVY RA-5C VIGILANTE TOOK A PICTURE OF AN SA-2 SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE PASSING JUST 104 FEET AWAY FROM ITS BELLY

No one knows why it did not detonate although the most likely theory is that the missile had not reached… Read More

6 years ago