Fact File: the A-3 Skywarrior in World War III

[Matt Wiser]

The Skywarrior's war service:



The A-3 Skywarrior Family in World War III



The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior had been long out of service as a Heavy Attack aircraft when hostilities began, but was still in service in both Active and Reserve USN Squadrons in a variety of roles. The heaviest operational aircraft ever to operate from aircraft carriers, the aircraft earned its well-deserved nickmame “The Whale”, but was also known as “All Three Dead” from its previous A3D designation due to the lack of ejection seats in the aircraft (deleted as a weight-saving measure). Yet, the aircraft performed yeoman service during the war, and for a few years after, before retirement in the 1990s.

Only those versions that saw service during the war will be described here:

EA-3B: ELINT conversion of A-3B bombers with pressurized compartment in former bomb bay for EWO and three ELINT operators and various sensors. Flight crew of three: Pilot, Co-pilot, and navigator. 20-mm tail cannon removed and replaced with ECM gear. Served with squadrons VQ-1 and VQ-2 in both shore-based and carrier-based detachments as needed. 24 converted.

RA-3B: Photo-reconnaissance verison with up to 12 cameras, photoflash bombs in weapons bay. Crew of 3. 30 converted. Tail guns deleted and ECM added. All in AMARC at outbreak of war, and served with reactivated squadron VAP-61. Mainly used in low-threat areas and for aerial survey of war-damaged areas.

KA-3B: Tanker version with probe and drogue system in place of bombing equipment. Served during the war with Reserve Squadrons VAK-208 and -308 in both shore-based and carrier-based dets as needed.

EKA-3B: Dual tanker/ECM version that saw service in Southeast Asia. Most converted to tankers after 1975, but several served with VAQ-33 and -34 to support the Electronic Aggressor mission.

ERA-3B: Electronic Aggressor version with ECM and chaff dispensers. Served with VAQ-33 and -34. Several VAQ-33 aircraft from NAS Key West supported strikes into Cuba during the war in addition to their Aggressor mission.

NRA-3B: RA-3B used for noncombat test purposes. VX-5 at NAWC China Lake.

TA-3B: Trainer version, with five converted to VIP transport (VTA-3B)

VA-3B: Two A-3Bs converted to VIP transport for use by Chief of Naval Operations and based at NAF Andrews.


War service:

EA-3Bs served from Day one until the end, serving in their primary ELINT role, while the KA-3Bs served as tankers supporting either carrier air wings as needed, or from land bases, supporting shore-based Navy and Marine aircraft.

All variants retired by 1994, and sent to AMARC or museums.

[Wolfman]

Skywarriors were old, as in “see the sides ripple on the cat shot ancient”…