1/48 Trumpeter RA-5C Vigilante 02809

The RA-5C was developed in parallel with the A-5B. and first flew on 30 June 1962. The RA-5C incorporated all the new features of the A-5B. such as the humpback fuselage. the big flaps. and the leading-edge BLC system. The new BLC scheme proved a little tricky. as it required more engine power. As the RA-5C was substantially heavier than the A-5A. this meant that once the BLC system was engaged the aircraft lost power and tended to drop abruptly. The major difference from the A-5B was the RA-5C’s equipment. The TV camera under the nose became part of the reconnaissance suite. but most of the gear was carried in a long slender “canoe” on the bottom of the aircraft’s fuselage and running from the nose gear back towards the tail. The RA-5C entered fleet service in 1964. 43 RA-5Cs were built. following the 12 A-5Bs that had been completed as RA-5Cs. After this batch of 43 was completed. the 43 surviving A-5As and A-5Bs were rebuilt to RA-5C standard. and the production line was shut down. The RA-5C proved so useful in Vietnam that the Navy ordered 46 more RA-5Cs in 1968. Only 36 were actually completed. however. with the last rolling off the production line in August 1970. This final batch featured J-79-GE-10 engines with 79.46 kN (8.100 kgp / 17.860 lbf) afterburning thrust. as well as a leading-edge wing extension trailing back from the air intakes. plus slightly modified air intakes. By this time. the RA-5C had plenty of power and it was no longer such a handful on carrier deck landings

Specifications RA-5C Vigilante Type: carrier-based long-range reconnaissance aircraft Powerplant: 2 8101-kg(17.860lb) afterburning thrust General Electric J79-GE-10 turbojets Performance: max speed: Mach 2.1 operational ceiling：14.750 m (48.400 ft) range：4828 km (3.000 miles) Weights: empty：17009 kg (37498 lbs.) max take-off weight：29937 kg (66.000 lbs) Dimensions: span：16.15m (53ft) length：23.32m (76.5ft)

• Item No: 02809
• Item Name: RA-5C Vigilante
• Scale: 1/48
• Item Type: Static Aircraft
• Model Brief: Length: 475mm Wingspan: 336.7mm
• Total Parts: 237pcs
• Film Parts: instrument panel
• Total Sprues: 8pcs sprues plus re-sensor canoe and tail cone
• Paint Schemes: RA-5C. BuNo.151726. of RVAH-5 USS America (CVN-66)