|Gallery|History|Stories|Variants|Squadrons|Resources|Dispositions|Message BoardThe next issue of Aerospace Publishing's Wings of Fame will feature an article on the Vigilante.
The Vigilante was a revolutionary aircraft, featuring many firsts in military aircraft design... more >>
A Vigilante gets blown to bits by a Tomahawk cruise missile at NWC China Lake, CA... more >>
Welcome to the Vigilante Network!Welcome to the Vigilante Network, a web site dedicated to the little-known North American A3J/A-5 Vigilante. The Vigilante was originally conceived as an nuclear-attack aircraft. However, due to the changing roles of the United States Navy and the Vigilante's unsuccessful linear bomb bay, it was converted to a very successful reconnaissance aircraft. First seeing action over the skies of South Vietnam, the Vigilante was considered to valuable to see action over North Vietnam. Eventually they did venture 'up North', but not without a price. The Vigilante had the highest attrition rate of all Navy aircraft during the war. It was a Vigilante that first discovered the location of the infamous 'Hanoi Hilton' prisoner of war camp. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara once said that the Vigilante's reconnaissance capabilities could not be duplicated "by any other device in the Navy inventory".
What's New at the Vigilante Network?
I'm still in the process of designing the site. I still have to type up, sort through, and organize a lot of information. It will take some time, so please be patient. For those who are interested in the future of this site, check out the development plan to see what I have in store for you.
The Vigilante Network needs your help!
As your quest for Vigilante web sites might have revealed, there is a lack of detailed and accurate Vigilante information on the Internet. If you have anything that you would like to contribute to this site, such as Vigilante photographs and stories, please send me an e-mail or fill out the feedback form. Eventually, visitors will be able to upload files to the site directly. No matter how you choose to contact me, you will be given full credit for your contributions. If you see anything that belongs to you and would like it removed, send me a message. Thank you for your support!
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