SPA Modeler

RA-5C VIGILANTE
SPECIFICATIONS

• Crew: 2
  Length: 76 ft 6 in (23.32 m)
  Wingspan: 53 ft 0 in (16.16 m)
  Height: 19 ft 5 in (5.91 m)
  Wing area: 701 sq ft (65.1 m2)
  Empty weight: 32,783 lb (14,870 kg)
  Gross weight: 47,631 lb (21,605 kg)
  Max takeoff weight: 63,085 lb (28,615 kg)
  Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J79-GE-8

Built one of those a very long, long time ago. I liked it because you could launch the torpedo out the rear...couldn’t you?

The Vigilante is a beautiful aircraft. And there is no rush to building one. The kits will be there when you’re ready and able.

Thanks, gents! Lyle—The Monogram kit has the bombing feature.

RA-5C VIGILANTE
THE KIT

• Hasegawa, 1980 boxing; Frog, 1969 boxing!

Hasegawa used the sprues from Frog.
I did not believe this at first despite Scalemates info but I found photos to prove it.
Same sprues in these kits.
Score one for Frog!

NORTH AMERICAN HS-1A
EJECTION SEAT

• The RA-5C Vigallante was equipped with this seat developed for the A-3J bomber version.
  Used heavily in the Vietnam War, it was fitted with the HS-1 seat.
  The HS-1 was optimized for High Speed, hence the designation.
  The seat was large and heavy, but its weight was a considered factor in the design.
  The seat was fitted with a backpack style parachute, and was expected to be used with a pressure suit.
  
  In the very early 1970s the seat was upgraded to improve its performance.
  The new revision was designated the HS-1A.

Great pictures! I flew that Monogram kit all over the living room and launched that torpedo countless times!

Of those old Monogram 1/72 kits on that flyer, the Vigilante is the only one that I never had or built. I remember a friend had that Vigilante and I thought that ejecting bomb from between the engines was too cool!

I never got to build the Vigilante with the torpedo launching ability either. I did build a Trumpeter one as a tribute to a friend who's passed away some years back. His Uncle had died on a mission in one of them and Ed had started a Group Build for anyone who'd wanted to join him in building his tribute to his uncle. I joined, and eventually the bird I was building became a tribute to him as he passed while it was going on.

Looking forward to seeing this.

I remember Hippy Ed - he was a lovely chap!

Great choice Bruce. I've not seen the FROG/Hase kit,although I have had the airfix kit in the past!