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NEA-3B, new designation? N575HA (144865) as photographed by spies at PAX River, MD. spring 99.
Returned to Raytheon west in July 99. Belly dome hidden behind power unit houses a ground
mapping radar. Formerly VQ-2's EA-3B which served in Desert Storm and prior to that as the
CNO's VA-3B. |
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'Auxiliary Power Unit' One Nathan Swapp is reported to have tried using his Cobra to jump start
one of the A-3s at Mojave and make off with the goods!
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'MOJAVE STORAGE' These four A-3s were photographed by Nathan
Swapp summer of 99.
1. N571HA (144843 RA-3B White Sands Army bird.
2. N572HA (144841 ERA-3B VAQ-34)
3. N162TB (144832 ERA-3B VAQ-33)
4. N163TB (142668 ERA-3B VAQ-34) |
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'BLOODHOUND 73' NAS Point Mugu A-3 (144833) with Tomohawk data link pod on starboard wing
pylon. Also note nose radome.
Submitted by Ron Chaisson |
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'ROUTINE FILL UP' Two VAQ-34 A-3s in tanking mode. KA-3B (138944), delivers to ERA-3B
(144846).
Ron Chaisson |
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'GRAFFITI' RA-3B (144838) coming out of the Boneyard and waiting to go to ESI Waco,
Tx. for conversion to ERA-3B. It was then assigned to VAQ-34 and later bailed to Hughes,
now Raytheon (N573HA).
Ron Chaisson |
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'VQ-5 DECOMMISSIONING'
June 4, 1999. NAS North Island, Ca.top:
Raytheon's N578HA (buno 144825) graces the hangar door behind the gallery seating.
middle: Gil Bouffard shows of the paint job on
this old girl.
bottom: Tail art on a VQ-5 ES-3A Shadow.
Thanks to Gil for his coverage and thanks to Raytheon for letting
144825 represent a proud tradition. |
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"VAH-11 FORMATION" Four 'Checkertails' group up for this photo taken in the early 60s. These
early A-3Ds still retain the tail gun turrets and pointed nose radomes.
From Ken Minick. |
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"TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE" Looks like this 'Checkertail' will notch another 'OK 3 wire' on his belt
as this photo shows 138974 coming aboard the USS Independence, circa 1962.
From Ken Minick. |
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"THEY FLOAT" At least for a while. A3D-2 (142402) belonged to VAH-8 before an
arressting gear wire broke on Sept. 24, 1962. She had been aboard CVA-41 USS Midway in the
western Pacific. Looks like the helo will get the crew as they sit on the wings waiting.
From Bill Torgerson. |
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"RUN FOR YOUR LIFE" This is when the inexperienced deck crew hides. It makes you want to
crouch behind a tow tractor the first time you witness this event. VQ-2s EA-3B (buno ?)
comes aboard USS Nimitz during operations in the med. circa late 70s.
From Tim Harder.
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"DOWNTOWN" top: VIP transport TA-3B (144865) passes over Washington DC. Date unknown.
Interior views of TA-3B are from BuNo 155857.
1. Forward port side view shows table folded out.
2. Forward starboard side view shows table folded and access to cockpit and exit.
3. Aft view of cabin. Door on the left is access to the head which included hot/cold
running water and flush toilet.
Overall configuration could be set up for 6-9 seats (9 with table
removed). Single seat and coat closet on starboard side could be swapped for couch/bunk.
SecNav John Lehman prefered the bunk for catnaps enroute.
Photos courtesy of Ed Shaw |
