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This full scale mockup of the A3J-1 Vigilante at Columbus shows a number of design features not carried over to the real aircraft. Most apparent are the twin vertical tails, while the larger area cockpit windows and different shaped air inlets are also apparent
Profile -North American A-5 Vigilante
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North American A-5 Vigilante
Few aircraft can lay claim to introducing so many new technological features at one time than North American’s Vigilante.
Conceived and created in the faster, higher, further period of aviation development, the North American A-5 Vigilante was the pinnacle of military aviation at the time of its first flight in 1958. New technologies that were only to become standard in the 1970s, ranging from an early form of fly-by-wire, to variable geometry inlets to extensive use of titanium, plus a highly advanced bombing system, an ad- vanced high lift system and many more first appeared on the Vigilante. This world beating design also featured a range of unique features such as its linear internal bomb bay, all moving vertical tail and a unique spoiler/deflector arrangement for roll control.
The A-5 is also characterised by a relatively short career, being produced in only modest numbers, extremely high development costs and a failure to carry out its designed for role. But the remarkable Vigilante represented a significant advance in the state of the art, gained the distinction of being reordered back into production, came close to appearing in RAAF markings and proved to be a highly capable reconnaissance aircraft for the United States Navy in the skies over Vietnam.
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