The Skywarrior is a masterful, fleet-air reconnaissance and strategic bomber, serving as a hallmark within military aviation during the mid-20th century. The aircraft sported a long, thin fuselage profile with a very graceful spine line that curved into the installation of a single, vertical tail fin. The wing shoulders were high-mounted with heavily-swept leading edges and noticeable dihedral. The horizontal tailplanes were just slightly upward-cranked and mid-mounted along the vertical tail fin. The outboard-mounted engines allowed plenty of space inside the wings for fuel, avionics, and munitions. The three-leg tricycle undercarriage was a nose or high-mounted single-wheeled main with outriggers, and the crew had generally adequate views from under a framed canopy, though rear visibility was limited. As a navy aircraft, the main wing assemblies could fold outboard of the engine installations.
The Skywarrior’s ancestry involved the XA3D-1 prototype, of which two were built. These were followed by the YA3D-1 development prototype and the first production-quality A3D-1, of which 49 were delivered. The A3D-1P was off-modified as a photographic reconnaissance prototype; five airframes were converted to the A3D-1Q standard for ELINT duties with additional crew; and the A3D-2 was the main bomber variant, the A3D-2P being the photo-reconnaissance counterpart, and the A3D-2Q the ELINT variant. In addition, a dozen A3D-2T airframes were ultimately converted as trainers, with five that were later converted again to VIP transports, in the same role as two VA-3B examples.
The KA-3B number included 85 airframes modified for aerial tanker roles from 1967 onward, the EKA-3B covered aerial tanker-modified airframes, the ERA-3B aircraft served as electronic “aggressor” aircraft for USN training, and the NRA-3B designated six test airframes. A single example of the NTA-3B was used as an aerial testbed for the potent Hughes radar system that was eventually installed in the Grumman F-14D “Tomcat” navy carrier-based interceptor.
In 1962, all A3D-1 designations were updated to the new Tri-Services designation scheme to become the A-3A, RA-3A, EA-3A, A-.
Operational from 1955 to 1975, the Skywarrior was one of the many American aircraft in the Vietnam War. It soon performed typical attack missions over enemy positions in both North and South Vietnam. As new aircraft with better performance and technologies arrived, the Skywarrior’s role became one more of strategic bombing, but that was minor spare capacity. The craft then started serving their purpose as in-flight refueling tanks as the first batch of aircraft to be stripped down. Of course, some got other more advanced electronics on top of the extensive suite for dedicated reconnaissance on even more special electronic intelligence missions. Other units stood duty as crew trainers.
Impressively, the 1950s-vintage Skywarrior managed to hang on long enough in its EA-3B (A3D-2Q) to join the fight at the 1991 Gulf War before being officially put out to pasture.
Not to be overshadowed, the USS Yorktown (CV-10) presents a heady stroll through history within the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Open daily except for Christmas Day, the museum operates from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM; the last tickets are sold at 5 PM. Admission includes entry to the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, the USS Laffey destroyer, the USS Clamagore submarine, a 3-acre Vietnam Experience, and the Medal of Honor Museum. Ticket prices for this experience vary in price, with discounts if you are a veteran, first responder, or active duty/retired military, or if you travel during senior citizen or children pricing.
Full-service airport facilities: Charleston International Airport (CHS) and Charleston Executive (JZI). Both are about 25 minutes from Patriots Point.
Other Activities: Southern charm and historic sites find a comfortable home in Charleston, SC.; great outdoor adventures, too. In Restaurant: Museum staff will point you to Water’s Edge Restaurant on Shrimp Boat Lane; another great casual suggestion comes from reader Andy Brothers: Vickery’s Bar & Grill, also on Shrimp Boat Lane.
Students of naval aviation history will want to have a copy of Gordon Swansborough and Peter M. Bower’s “United States Navy Aircraft since 1911.” While the original book dates to 1968 and is long out of print, it remains easily found through multiple outlets and covers in amazing detail just about every aircraft ever flown by the Navy and Marines.
The USS Yorktown remains a staple of historical interest today and will continue to be with upcoming features exploring below deck and other fascinating aspects of naval history.