Aircraft by type

North American A-5 Vigilante

List being compiled

Known ejections have a light coloured background

Help to add extra photos - ejections appreciated

Date Air Force A'cft Unit / Serial

based

crashed crew photo seat
3rd June  1959   A-5 145158   Columbus, OH Hopkins    
17th March 1961
USN
A3J-1 Vigilante 146700 NAS Patuxent River  NAS Patuxent River, MD. Pilot Lcdr. Grimes  ejected safely   NAA HS-1A  Rocket Seat
28 Aug 1961     147855 NASWF Gugenbiller  Lt. Biehl    
27 Nov 1962     148928 RVAH‑6 Tokyo, Japan      
 Lodr. Canlpbe8, Lt. Cook  
9 Jan 1963   A-5 146694   Columbus, OH Burdick    
5th September 1963
USN
A-5 148930   RVAH‑3; Sanford      
Lovelace Adj A Kelsey  
5 May 1964       RVAH‑7
USS Enterprise
       
Lcdr. Chapdelame AE1 Stringer  
27 Sep 1964     147863 RVAH‑7
USS Enterprise
       

Lcdr. Tuttle

Ltjg. Sharp  
3 Sep 1965       RVAH‑5
USS America
       
Lcdr. Pippen  Ltjg. Olin  
16-Oct-65


USN

RA-5C 151615
AG 601
RVAH-A
USS Independence CVA-62, Air Wing CVW-7
North Vietnam lost at sea North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. Cdr. J. F. Bell
POW
Lt. Cdr. J. L. Hutton
POW
15-Dec-65


USN

RA-5C 151633
NG 1??
RVAH-7
USS Enterprise CVAN-65, Air Wing CVW-9
South Vietnam lost at sea     North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. J. K. Sutor
rescued
1st ejection
see 6th Oct. 1966
Lt. (jg) G. B. Dresser
rescued
20-Dec-65


USN

RA-5C 151624
NH 604
RVAH-13
USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63, Air Wing CVW-11
North Vietnam      
Lt. Cdr. Guy D. Johnson
MIA - ejection not confirmed
Lt. (jg) Lee E. Nordhal
KIA - ejection not confirmed
22-Dec-65


USN

RA-5C 151632
NH 603
RVAH-13
USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63, Air Wing CVW-11
AAA
North Vietnam
  North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. Cdr. M. D. Lukenbach
KIA - ejection not confirmed
Lt. (jg) G. H. Daigle
POW
03-Feb-66


USN

RA-5C 151625
NH 605
RVAH-13
USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63, Air Wing CVW-11
Downed by enemy fire off the NVN coast just south of Cape Bouton North Vietnam   North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. G. L. Coffee
POW
Lt. (jg) Robert Taft Hanson, Jr,
DIC
19-Aug-66


USN

RA-5C 149309
NL 703
RVAH-6
USS Constellation CVA-64, Air Wing CVW-15
AAA
North Vietnam
    North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. Cdr. J. K. Thompson
rescued
Lt. (jg) G. L. Parten
rescued
Oct 6, 1966


USN

RA-5C
Flare 102. 
149288   "Mid-air collision with an A3D Tanker while bringing the tanker on our wing back to the USS Enterprise in the clag at night.   North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
John Sutor
2nd ejection
see 15th Dec. 1965
Peter C Carrothers

22nd October 1966


USN

RA-5C 150830

     RVAH-6
USS Constellation

Reported by some sources as ejecting at very low altitude and killed     North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat

Lt Cdr Thomas Carl Kolstad
KIA

Lt(jg) William Blue Klenert
KIA

12-Feb-67


USN

RA-5C 151623

 RVAH-7, USN, USS Enterprise

 
Hit over North Vietnam lost at sea     North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Cdr C H Jarvis Lt(jg) P M Artlip
9th March 1967


USN

RA-5C 151627
NH 605
RVAH-13
USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63, Air Wing CVW-11
AAA
North Vietnam
lost at sea
    North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Cdr. C. L. Putnam
ejected
KIA
Lt. (jg) F. S. Prendergast
captured, escaped,
rescued
19-May-67


USN

RA-5C 150826
NH 602
RVAH-13
USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63, Air Wing CVW-11
AAA
North Vietnam
  North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. Cdr. J. L. Griffin
DIC
Lt. J. Walters
DIC
14-Jun-67


USN

RA-5C
Callsign DRAKE 201

149314
see above

photo via Barry Smith

NAS Sanford, Fla NAS Sanford, Fla     North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. Cdr. Charlie Butler Ens. John Barry Smith
13-Aug-67


USN

RA-5C 151634
NK 125
RVAH-12 AAA
North Vietnam
North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. Cdr. L. G. Hyatt
POW
Lt. (jg) W. K. Goodermote
POW
05-May-68


USN

RA-5C 149278
NG 102
RVAH-1
USS Enterprise CVAN-65, Air Wing CVW-9
AAA
North Vietnam
North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. G. R. Norrington
POW
Lt. R. G. Tangeman
POW
14 May 1968     147854 RVAH‑7
USS Independence
       
Cdr. Pritscher Lljg. Feldhaus  
18-May-68


USN

RA-5C 149283
NH 606
RVAH-11
USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63, Air Wing CVW-11
AAA
North Vietnam
  North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Cdr. C. N. James
POW
Lt. Cdr. Vince D. Monroe
"He died somewhere between shootdown and Hanoi"
25-Nov-68


USN

RA-5C 149293
NK 123
RVAH-5 North Vietnam   North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Cdr. E. A. Stamm
DIC
Lt. (jg) Richard Cobb Thum
KIA - ejection not confirmed
Jan 1970       RVAH‑7(CAW‑14) Clark AFB      
Cdr. Billings

Lljg. Beaver

 

5 May 1972

    147850 RVAH‑12 Albany, GA

 

   
Cdr. Boke Ltjg. Hawken  
07-May-72


USN

RA-5C 151618
NH 604
RVAH-7
USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63, Air Wing CVW-11
AAA
North Vietnam
North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Cdr. C. R. Polfer
POW
Lt. (jg) Joe E.  Kernan
POW
07-Jun-72


USN

RA-5C 156616
AC601
RVAH-I
USS Saratoga CV-60, Air Wing CVW-3
SAM
North Vietnam lost at sea.
over Haiphong, NVN
    North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. Cdr. C. H. Smith
rescued
picked up by helos from HC-7
Lt. L. G. Kurtz
rescued
picked up by helos from HC-7
28-Dec-72


USN

RA-5C 156633
NK 603
RVAH-13
USS Enterprise CVAN-65, Air Wing CVW-14
North Vietnam lost at sea
MiG's AAM
  North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat
Lt. Cdr. A. H. Agnew
POW
Lt. Michael Firestone Haifley
KIA - ejection not confirmed
23rd July 1973
USN
RA-5C Vigilante BuNo 156637 “Flight Test, Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD”  The aircraft crashed into the Chesapeake Bay 6 miles southeast of the base.  Frederick (Rick) Hauck North American HS-1A  Rocket Seat

 

                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 

 LOSS NOTES STILL TO INCORPORATE INTO LISTS

W280   40048 Lost at sea LISS Ranger RVAH‑3; Lcdr. Woolf, 9 Sep 19BB

   Ltjg. Kirby

9285   45IC45 Ejection USS America RVAH‑5; Lcdr. Mayor, 21 May 1966

   Lt)g. Waggoner

 9287   47/059 Ejection at Albany, GA; Cdr. Samos, Ltjg. Homick 19 Jun 1969

 9286   48/085 Election LISS Enterprise RVAH‑7; Lt. Sutor, 6 Oct 1968

   Ltjg. Carrothere

1292   52 Ejection at Sanford. FL RVAH‑3; Lcdr. Moore, 8 Sep 1964

   L%. Haney

1298   56IC77 Ejection et sea Key West, FL RVAH‑3; Lt. Carson, 5 Mar 1974

   Ledr. Comstock

149308  88 Ejection at Sanford, FL RVAH‑9; Lcdr. Smith, 14 Nov 1964

  Adjc. Carolyers

149314  74 Ejection at Sanfrod, FL RVAH‑3; Lcdr. Butler, 14 Jun 1967

  Eris. Smith

149315  75 Ejection at Sanford, FL RVAH3; Lodr. Scruggs 3 Oct 1967

149318  76 Ejection LISS Feral RVAH‑13; Lt. Jenkins, 2 Feb 1970

  Lt. Standridge

150625  3 Ejection LISS Forrestal RVAH‑13; Cdr. Barnes, 23 Jan 1970

  Lljg. Wolfe

150826  4 Combat loss LISS Kitty Hawk RVAH‑13; Cdr. Grfffen, 19 May 1967

  Welters

150827  5 Ejection at Sanford, FL RVAH‑3; Cdr. Mdaln, 15 Dec 1965

  Lt. Morgan

150828  8 Ejection LISS Saratoga RVAH‑1; Ledr. William. 20 Sep 1964

  Lt. Heisten

160833  11 Ejection LISS Kennedy RVAH‑14; Lodr. Reed, 9 Sep 1969

  Lt. Marechal

150835  13 Ejection LISS America RVAH‑5; Lt. Pirrotte, 17 Oil 1965

  Ens. McClure

150836  14 Ejection LISS America RVAH‑5; Lcdr. Pippan, to Oct 1965

  Lljg. 008

150842  20 Combat loss LISS Enterprise RVAH‑8; Cdr. While, 31 Mar 1969

  Lt. Carpenter

151615  21 Combat loss RVAH‑1; Lcdr. Bell, Lodr. Hutton 20 Oct 1965

151616  22 Ejection Sanford, FL RVAH‑1; Lcdr. Bell, 3 Sap 1964

  Amhc. Pemberton

151617  23 Ejection LISS Kennedy RVAH‑14; Cdr. Williams, 6 Aug 1970

  Lt. Faebeck

151818  24 Combat loss RVAH‑7; Cdr. Polfer, Ltjg. Kaman 7 May 1972

151819  25 Lost at sea LISS Independence RVAH‑1; Cdr. Matule, 20 Jul 1965

  Lt. Gronquial

161820  28 Ejection at Albany, GA RVAH‑12; Cdr. Huber 5 Mar 1970

151821  27 Ejection at Sanford, Fl RVAH‑13; Cdr. Notts, 23 Dec 1964

  Ltjg. Stokes

151623  28 Combat loss LISS Enterprise RVAH‑7; Cdr. Jarvis, 12 Feb 1967

  Ltjg. Artzlip

151624  30 Combat loss RVAH‑13; Lcdr. Johnson, Lcdr. Iordahl 20 Doc 1965

151825  31 Combat loss USS K1tty Hawk RVAH‑13; Lt. Coffee, 3 Feb 1968

  Ltig. Hanson

151827     33 Combat Jose USS Kitty Hawk RVAH•13; Cdr. Putnam, 9 Mar 1967

   Ltjp. Pendergast

151830     38 Ejection at Naples, FL RVAH‑3; Lodr. McKay. 13 Aug 1974

   Lt. Stevens

151831     37 Ejection LISS John F. Kennedy RVAH‑14; Lcdr. Bright, 19 Feb 1969

   Lijp. Elks

 151832   38 Combat loss LISS KHty Hawk RVAH‑13; 22 Doc 1965

   Lodr. Lukenbach, Lodr. Daigel

151833     39 Combat loss USS Enterprise RVAH‑7; Lt. Sulor, 18 Doc 1965

   Ltjg. Dresser

 151834   40 Combat toes USS Gwtstellarlon RVAH‑12; Lcdr. Hyatt, 13 Aug 1967

   Ltig. Goodermote

151728   43 Ejection at Miami. FL RVAH‑3; Lcdr. Sledge, 8 Doc 1967

   Ltjg. Lowne

 158808   87 Static D'roplay at NAS Memphis, TN 20 Nov 1979

 156809   68 Ejection LISS Conatailation RVAH‑12; Lodr. Fowler. 21 Apr 1973

   Lt/g. Dipadova

 

 

158811   90 Lost at see USS k>de~ RVAH‑11; Lodr. Karr. 22 Jul 1970

   Lcdr. Pullinger

158814   93 Ejection USS Forrestal RVAH‑8; Lt. Rutledge, 11 July 1974

   Ltjg Parr

158818   95 Combat loss USS Saratoga RVAH‑1; Lodr. Smth, 7 Jun 1972

   Lt. Kunz

158819   98 Ejection at Albany, GA RVAH3; Lodr. Watt. 12 Jan

  Lodr. Criswell

158823   102 Lost at sea LISS Saratoga RVAH‑11; Cdr. Hogan, 2 Feb

  Lodr. MuBholland

158829   108 Ejection USS Ranger RVAH‑1; Lodr. Renner, 27 Sep

  Lt. Joseph

158830   109 Ejection at Albany. GA RVAH‑1; Lt. Pigeon. Lt. Bixler 1 Mar

156633   112 Combat IOas USS Enterprise RVAH‑13; Lodr. Agnew, 28 Doc

  Lt. Hai9ey

158834   113 Lost at sea USS Enterprise RVAH‑5; Cdr. Everett, 17 Oct

  Lodr. Stokes

158837   118 Ejection at Patuxent River, MD; Ledr. Hauck 23 Jul

 

4

 

148932 AA-60? RVAH11 Checkertails Forrestal CVW17 29/07/67 Fire on Forrestal
149278 NG-102 RVAH1 Tigers Enterprise CVW9 05/05/68 Combat
149282 AA-60? RVAH11 Checkertails Forrestal CVW17 29/07/67 Fire on Forrestal
149283 NH-606 RVAH11 Checkertails Kitty Hawk CVW11 18/05/68 Combat
149293 NK-123 RVAH5 Savage Sons Constellation CVW14 25/11/68 Combat
149302 NK-12? RVAH12 Speartips Constellation CVW14 17/08/67 Operational
149305 AA-60? RVAH11 Checkertails Forrestal CVW17 29/07/67 Fire on Forrestal
149306 NG-10? RVAH5 Savage Sons Ranger CVW9 09/12/64 Operational
149309 NL-703 RVAH6 Fleurs Constellation CVW15 19/08/66 Combat
149312 AC-9?? RVAH9 Hoot Owls Ranger CVW14 16/01/66 Operational
150826 NH-602 RVAH13 Bats Kitty Hawk CVW11 19/05/67 Combat
150830 NL-705 RVAH6 Fleurs Constellation CVW15 22/10/66 Combat
150842 NG-604 RVAH6 Fleurs Enterprise CVW9 13/03/69 Combat
151615 AG-601 RVAH1 Tigers Independence CVW7 16/10/65 Combat
151618 NH-604 RVAH7 Peacemakers of the Fleet Kitty Hawk CVW11 07/05/72
Combat
151619 AG-60? RVAH1 Tigers Independence CVW7 20/07/65 Operational
151623 NG-105 RVAH7 Peacemakers of the Fleet Enterprise CVW9 12/02/67 Combat
151624 NH-604 RVAH13 Bats Kitty Hawk CVW11 20/12/65 Combat
151625 NH-605 RVAH13 Bats Kitty Hawk CVW11 03/02/66 Combat
151627 NH-605 RVAH13 Bats Kitty Hawk CVW11 09/03/67 Combat
151632 NH-603 RVAH13 Bats Kitty Hawk CVW11 22/12/65 Combat
151633 NG-1?? RVAH7 Peacemakers of the Fleet Enterprise CVW9 15/12/65 Combat
151634 NK-125 RVAH12 Speartips Constellation CVW14 13/08/67 Combat
156616 AC-601 RVAH1 Tigers Saratoga CVW3 07/06/72 Combat
156633 NK-603 RVAH13 Bats Enterprise CVW14 28/12/72 Combat
156634 NK-60? RVAH5 Savage Sons Enterprise CVW14 17/10/71 Operational

148932 29/7/67 fire on CVA‑59

 

149277 5/5/68 over North Vietnam

 

149283 18/5/68 North Vietnam

 

149284 29/7/67 fire on CVA‑59

 

149293 25/11/68 North Vietnam

 

149302 17/8/67 lost at sea

.

149305 29/7/67 fire on CVA‑59

 

149306 9/12/64

 

149309 19/8/66 hit North Vietnam lost at sea.

 

149312 16/1/66

 

150826 19/5/67 North Vietnam

 

150830 22/10/66 North Vietnam

 

150842 31/3/68 Laos

 

151615 16/10/65 lost at sea.

 

151618 7/5/72 North Vietnam

 

151619 20/7/65

 

151623 12/2/67 Hit North Vietnam lost at sea.

 

151624 20/12/65 North Vietnam

 

151625 3/2/66 Hit North Vietnam lost at sea.

 

151627 9/3/67 Hit North Vietnam lost at sea.

 

151630 13/8/74 off Florida coast.

 

151632 22/12/65 North Vietnam

 

151633 15/12/65 Hit North Vietnam lost at sea

 

151634 13/8/67 North Vietnam

 

156616 7/6/72 Hit North Vietnam lost at sea.

 

156633 28/12/72 Hit North Vietnam lost at sea.

 

156634 17/10/71.

 

 

 

 

FEEDBACK

Thanks to ejectees

Jim Bell

Peter C Carrothers

G. L. Coffee

J. L. Hutton

John Barry Smith 

Lt. Cdr. C. H. Smith

 

Also thanks to the following

Dora Bell - for details of Lt. Cdr. J. L. Griffin

Todd Merrill for additional notes on RA-5C squadrons

   Mark Huber - son of J. Huber Jr. Commanding Officer of RVAH-12 in Albany, GA

   Dana White

   Charles Thornton AD1 USNR (Ret.)

 

 
in email 18th March 2006

 

Hi:

I was the pilot who ejected from RA-5C Vigilante BuNo 156637 on July 23, 1973, while based at NAS Patuxent River, MD.  You can read a bit about in the attached article that was published in the June/July 2003 Smithsonian Air & Space magazine. The photo shows me presenting a bottle of whiskey to the Petty Officer Second Class who had pre-flighted the ejection seat (also seen in the photo).

 Frederick (Rick) Hauck