Vigilante (oz1597)

About this Plan

A3J Vigilante. Radio control semi-scale pusher model, for .40 IC power.

Quote: "Jet models don't all have to be ducted fans, nor do they have to look strange with an engine and prop in the nose. From Czechoslovakia, an interesting example for .40 engines and sharp pilots.

After testing a pusher engine on a delta model and conducting experiments with this concept on the model L-39 Albatros, which was published in the January 1978 issue of RCM, and after the great interest shown by model builders (I received a lot of letters not only from the USA but also from Europe, Brazil, and even from Singapore and the Philippines), I wanted to build another model of this same concept. I decided to build a semi-scale model of the MA Vigilante, which best suited my concept.

The development of the full-size Vigilante began in the later part of the fifties, when the US Navy needed a carrier-based plane which would be able to transport an A-bomb. The first prototype was called the Vigilante YA 33-1, and its maiden flight was on the 31st of August,1958. The first four planes were in use by flight VAH-3. The automatic flight control system of the Vigilante was the top electronic system in its time. In the case of airplane A3J-1, new construction techniques were introduced, and the airplane was used in the development of the Navajo B-64 pilotless missile. Another constructional specialty was represented by the some-what unusual way of throwing bombs backwards from the long tunnel bomb rack. In 1962, the designation A3J-1 was changed to ASA. In the same year ASA airplanes appeared on the deck of the aircraft carrier Enterprise.

The development of the Vigilante went on in versions ASB and RA-5c. These types are a little bit different in shape. Because of a new fuel tank location, the shape of the upper fuselage part was changed.

MAIN TECHNICAL DATA:
Wingspan: 16.15 meters
Length: 23.25 meters
Maximum speed: 2,230 km/hr
Maximum speed at sea level: 1,260 krn/hr
Service ceiling: 19,500 meters

DESCRIPTION OF MODEL: The model is made for a .40 engine; that is why its measurements are not big. Thanks to its sweptback wings it is also space-saving. That is also the reason why the wings are not removable. The final result is a far lighter and more compact model. In comparison with an authentic scale aircraft, net wing area and elevator area are larger. Some unimportant details are also left out. In spite of this, the model looks elegant and is very impressive in flight.

CONSTRUCTION: Begin the construction with the fuselage sides. There are four altogether; two inner longer ones and two outer shorter ones. The inner sides are strengthened with full-length plywood doublers, the outer ones in the place where the main undercarriage blocks are located..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction