Nicknamed “The Whale” by its crews the A-3 Skywarrior is the largest and heaviest aircraft ever designed for regular operation from an aircraft carrier. Originally designed as a strategic nuclear bomber the A-3 proved itself to be very adaptable to other uses and remained in service long after the Navy had lost its role in strategic bombing. Design work for the Skywarrior began in 1948 and the first prototype flew in 1952. In addition to the bomber version the Navy used electronic warfare and aerial tanker versions of the Skywarrior into the 1970s and a few remained in test programs as late as the 1990s. A total of six A3D-1 bombers were converted to YA3D-1Q (YEA-3A) electronic counter measures aircraft with a pressurized crew compartment replacing the bomb bay.
Wingspan
72 ft 6 in.
Length
74ft 5 in.
Height
22 ft 8 in.
Weight
70,000 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed
600 MPH
Service Ceiling
39,000 ft
Range
2,080 miles
Engines
Two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10 turbojets with 10,000 pounds of thrust each
Crew
7
Manufacturer Douglas
Markings Naval Air Testing Center, Patuxent River NAS, 1969
Serial Number 130361
Designation YEA-3A
Pima Air & Space Museum
Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.