A3D-2 Skywarrior of VAH-10 aboard USS. Constellation (VVA-64) 1962
This model is of an aircraft assigned to VAH-10 "Vikings". Commissioned a NAS Whidbey Island, Washington on May 1,1961. VAH-10 was the last HATRON to be activated. It received its first A3D-2's six weeks after being organized. As part of CVG-8, the squadron took part in the shakedown cruise of USS Constellation in March - April 1962. During the following two years, VAH-10 deployed twice to WestPac aboard this carrier. It was there that VAH-10 and other CVW-8 squadrons provided some of the first naval aircraft to to go into combat in Southeast Asia as the Constellation was involved in the August ,1964, Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
On a personal note I almost got a ride in an A3D while aboard Bon Homme Richard in 1957. During this deployment the A3D's of VAH-2 were part of the aircraft compliment of the BHR. At one point in the cruise the ships Captain was to fly an A3D for his currency check ride and he told us, his orderlies, that he would take us up one at a time in the third seat. Needless to say we were excited about the ride off and on the carrier. Shortly before our ride an A3D crashed into the fantail of the ship. The weather was rough and the ship was rocking badly in the rough seas. As the plane came down and the fantail came up It struck the deck at the point where the fuselage and the leading edge of the wing came together. The forward fuselage continued sliding forward on the angled deck and the remainder of the aircraft fell into the ocean. The crew attempted to go out of the cockpit area via the ejection slide. Two of the crew made it into the ocean and the other remained with the forward section of the aircraft. All were fatally injured. With that very sad incident, our rides were cancelled.
VAH-2 was also the first A3D squadron to deploy on an Essex class carrier and the first A3D squadron to deploy to the Pacific area. One other item of note, although not known at the time, was that one of the pilots of the squadron, Edger D. Mitchell was to become an astronaut and was aboard Apollo 14. He spent nine hours on the surface of the moon.
I built this model when this kit first came out. I found it very enjoyable to build and I look forward to building the Trumpeter 1/48 kit. If the 1/48 kit is half as good as this kit it will be a welcome edition to the shelf. I really like the looks of the A3D so no matter if it is slightly incorrect in some place or another I will still like it.
Frank, excelant build of one of my favorites. Clean and tight man its great !
Thanks for all the info it helps to know some history behind the build. Tom
great story as all ways frank...the A3D work horse has all ways been one of my favorites...when my brother was stationed at PAX river in the early 60's i'd watch them make touch and goes all day when i was 10...i assume it's the hasegawa 1/72...i had many an old revell box scale...this is a real pleasure to see
Great model and story! I always love to hear stories about Connie as she was my home on two cruises while in VS-38 including our combat cruise for Iraqi Freedom, which would be her last. Whales, gotta love them too as a young Airman in VAW 124 we had a VQ Det aboard Nimitz, om=ne of my first lessons was about "The Whale Dance" and "When the Whale traps get yer a*s behind the Island". Great build thanks for sharing gave this old retired AECS a big smile!
Very clean build, Frank, well up to your usual standards, and nice photos as well.
Good-lookin' build, Frank...nice job all around.
Great narrative and very nice build.
your story about the whale hitting fantail illustrates why they were known as All Three Dead...no ejection seats
Beautiful job, Frank !
Good stuff. Thanks, Frank.
Hey Frank, nice build! I think that flying something like this AC or something bigger like the Vigilante on to an aircraft carrier takes someone with a little something missing in the common sense dept!
Another outstanding effort, Frank! Your builds are always among the very best on here, and I really like the backstory and history you provide with your posts. I have the Trumpeter 1/48 A3D, too, and it's near the top of my 'to-do' plie now.
Great build of a favorite!
After returning from 18 months at Nas Cubi Point I joined 123 than moved on to Heavy 10 after a trip to China Lake to test the buddy bombing system with A4Ds. Went aboard CVA 64 and was lucky enough to get a cat shot before leaving the Navy that I love to this very day...Still remember to this day the challenge our CO made when we went aboard the Connie.Simply a beautiful photo of that Whale...
FRANK I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET A RIDE IN AN A3D VAH-10 DURING APRIL 1962. WE WERE ON FIRST SHAKEDOWN/ORI AT GUANTANAMO BAY CUBA. I FLEW WITH COMMANDERS VAN GUNDY & STRONG. WAS AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. FIRST CATAPULT AND ARRESTED LANDING. I AM A PLANKOWNER AND WAS AT THE DECOMMISIONING 2003 AT SAN DIEGO NAB WITH ABOUT 25 OTHER PLANKOWNERS. I ENJOYED READING YOUR STORY. TONY UZUPES LONG ISLAND NY. [email protected] BY THE WAY GREAT JOB ON THE A3D MODEL.
Tony,
Thank you for the compliment. I envy you your ride in the A3D. I always loved the looks of the "whale" and seeing it during airops. I came close to a ride but fate interviended.
Would love to hear more. I will be in touch
Frank