Van Nuys A-3 Skywarriors

[mrhenniger]

I can't find the Van Nuys Skywarrior thread. I suspect it fell victim to the recent database corruption incident. When I do a search I can see elements of the thread, but they don't link to the actual thread.

Anway...

I have been reviewing the Van Nuys locations in the Locator...
Aerial Visuals Locator Search - Van Nuys
...and I came across the Skywarrior location dossiers...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Raytheon (Van Nuys East Side) - A-3, A-3, A-3
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Raytheon (Van Nuys North West) - 7 airframes

Are all of these A-3s now gone? Were any saved?

Mike

[Mike]

3 remain, of which one has been quite active in recent weeks. The survivors are N875RS, N877RS and N878RS.

The earlier thread does appear to have vanished into the ether. Such are the perils of the internet.

[Vulture]

Does anyone have a POC for the A-3 operation? I have been asked by a client if they could buy them for some flight testing.

Vulture

[mrhenniger]

3 remain, of which one has been quite active in recent weeks. The survivors are N875RS, N877RS and N878RS.

The earlier thread does appear to have vanished into the ether. Such are the perils of the internet.

Thanks Mike! Do you happen to know which airframes were scrapped and which were redistributed. One went to the Castle Museum...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Douglas RA-3B Skywarrior, s/n 144843 USN, c/n 12089, c/r N571HA
...but did any other former Van Nuys A-3s survive?

Mike

[Mike]

The Castle one came from Edwards, not Van Nuys. As far as I know, the remaining 5 at Van Nuys were all scrapped, although I have read an unconfirmed report that 1 may have gone to Pt Mugu.

[PJ]

I thought Raytheon was still going to use one, since they had been using them as test beds. Is that the case?

PJ
PV-2 Harpoon "Hot Stuff"
www.amhf.org

[mrhenniger]

The Castle one came from Edwards, not Van Nuys. As far as I know, the remaining 5 at Van Nuys were all scrapped, although I have read an unconfirmed report that 1 may have gone to Pt Mugu.

Ahhhhh.... Actually that would be Mojave, but close enough. I revised the dossier for the A-3 now at Castle.

This raises the question... What is the status of the A-3 at Mojave? There may be as many as three still there...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Raytheon - 7 airframes
...has the scrap man been eyeing those as well?

Mike

[mrhenniger]

I thought Raytheon was still going to use one, since they had been using them as test beds. Is that the case?

Actually Mike (in SF) mentioned in his first post in this thread that one was flying in the last week.

Mike in Ottawa

[Mike]

I believe the Mojave ones were all scrapped, with the exception of the one that was recently transported to Castle.

Sorry for the confusion over Edwards - they have also recently preserved one there too.

[Avn-Tech]

Group,

I saw the ones at Mojave 5-10 years ago, then they dissappeard.
Later, I heard they were the ones in Van Nuys.

I used to see the ones at Van Nuys, from the Condor Sq ramp, until they were destroyed.

I have not seen them at Mojave in any of my recent times of driving through the airport,
I will drive through on friday on my way to California City, and see if I can see any.

Laterrrrr
avn-tech

I would love to see an A-3 fly one more time. I will be in Southern California for the Planes of Fame/Chino show in May and it would be terrific if a Raytheon Skywarrior could do a flyby. Even if that can't happen I may try to go by Van Nuys to see them while out there (assuming at least one or more of the three Raytheon birds are still there).

Any updated information on the Skywarriors as the year goes on is appreciated.

[mrhenniger]

As for the Van Nuys A-3s...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Raytheon - A-3 x3
Where are they parked? Where is the best public vantage point from which to spot them?
Hint: Just right click on the map on the map for the coordinates.

As for the Mojave A-3s...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Raytheon - 7 airframes
They are well out of view from any public access site. I drove around there in May 2009. No way to see them that I could find. Let me know if you know otherwise.

Mike

[meherio]

N877RS spotted at VNY last week end with photo available.
[url][/url]http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1883488088512.165607.1280668565#!/photo.php?fbid=2062068152902&set=a.1883488088512.165607.1280668565&type=1&theater[url][/url]

[bmoran]

Some video of A-3 Activity at VNY (not my video, a link to someone elses):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5I84QxfoWc

[ZRX61]

Two years ago I counted 8 of them at VNY, including the parts donors. 5 were outside on the ramp & there were 3 inside the hangar.