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The RA-5C Vigilante

"Unarmed and Unafraid" by Mark Karvon

Used extensively in Vietnam, the RA-5C Vigilante performed vital reconnaissance missions. These missions usually consisted of a high speed flight over the target area prior to attack, followed by a second run after the attack to assess damage and effectiveness. The initial run was usually not too eventful; however the second run after the attack was another story. The enemy was usually expecting the second pass and was ready with antiaircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles. The Vigilante was usually accompanied by an F-4 Phantom II flying cover; however, the Vigi would routinely outrun her escort as she flew with a "clean" configuration while the Phantom usually carried drag-inducing under-wing stores. In "Unarmed and Unafraid," Mark Karvon gives us his depiction of an RA-5C Vigilante the RVAH-11 Checkertails making a high speed recon pass. The paint scheme and markings depict the aircraft as she appeared during the unit's Southeast Asia deployment aboard USS Constellation during 1971.  To view a larger image, click on the thumbnail.  Then click your browser's BACK button to return here and place your order.

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