Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series Diecast Model

North American Aviation RA-5C (A-5) Vigilante – #156610, Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 6 (RVAH-6), USS Nimitz, U.S. Navy, 1978

1:72 Scale.  Length: 12.75".  Wingspan: 8.8"

North American RA-5C Vigilante #156610 was manufactured as C/N 316-3 and delivered to the U.S. Navy in June of 1969. First assigned to RVAH-3 and then in late 1969 until early 1972 with RVAH-11. The remainder of 1972 was spent with RVAH-1 and later with RVAH-5, RVAH-3 and from 1976 and into 1978 with RVAH-6 “Fleurs”. In 1978 RVAH-6 RA-5C #156610 was assigned to Cdr. Gordy Wileen and Cdr. Al Frank while aboard the USS Nimitz. On October 31 1978, with RVAH-12, #156610 was written off at NAS Rota Spain.

The A-5 Vigilante was a carrier-based supersonic bomber designed and built by North American Aviation for the U.S Navy as a replacement for the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior. However, its service as a nuclear strike aircraft was very short as its mission changed to tactical reconnaissance. The A3J-1 Vigilante (redesignated A-5A in September 1962) was first flown on August 31, 1958 and entered squadron service in June 1961. The RA-5C, the reconnaissance variant, saw extensive service during the Vietnam War starting in 1964. The RA-5C was generally regarded as the best tactical photo-reconnaissance aircraft in the Navy, when it was working properly.

During the Vietnam War, 8 U.S Navy RVAH squadrons flying the RA-5C completed a total of 32 combat cruises. 18 RA-5Cs were lost in combat, most of them to anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) and another 5 were lost in accidents. This was the highest loss rate of any Navy aircraft involved in the war. After the end of the Vietnam War, RA-5Cs continued to operate from carriers for a few more years, serving on carriers during cruises in the Mediterranean and Western Pacific.


Hobby Master offers a wide selection of quality, pre-assembled, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted to a high level of accuracy using specifications of the original aircraft. They are constructed with precision-made diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a RA-5C Vigilante features: