RA-5C Vigilante - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

In November 1942, NAS Sanford was commissioned to meet the need for additional naval aviation training facilities. Originally planned for bomber training, within a year it converted to fighter plane training. A major portion of fighter pilots that served on aircraft carriers in the Pacific during WWII trained at this field. Touch and Go training simulated aircraft landings at the airfield at Osceola and other nearby fields. Fifty-three pilots lost their lives in plane crashes in the surrounding area during this time.

At the end of WWII, the airfield was decommissioned and turned over to the city. In 1947, the NY Giants constructed eight baseball fields for their spring farm teams. Other activities using the facilities included apartments, motels, a seminary, a Bible college and the county hospital in the old dispensary.

In 1951, with the start of the Korean War, the air station was reactivated. Its mission changed several times, but it always supported fleet carrier aircraft. This time, training and refresher courses were given to both reserves and experienced pilots.

NAS Sanford in 1957, was one of the first to receive a squadron of A3D Skywarriors, a long-range jet bomber. In the 1960’s these were replaced by the Vigilante. Originally designed as a nuclear bomber, the aircraft later was used for photographic reconnaissance missions. During the Vietnam War, Sanford was home to the families of many POWs and MIAs from Vigilante squadrons.

In 1968, Congress closed the base and returned the airport back to the city. This caused a major economic set-back to the area. Slowly the area and the airport recovered, thus bringing international flights to Sanford.

The park where this aircraft is located features a small visitors center and educational exhibits.

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): RA-5C Vigilante Tail Number: (S/N): 156632 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): NAS Sanford Memorial Park inside / outside: outside Other Information:: Type: Carrier based long-range bomber converted to reconnaissance. Powerplant: Two 17,822-lb-thrust General Electric J79-GE-10 afterburning turbojets. Maximum Speed: 1,383 m.p.h. at 39,360 ft. Service Ceiling: 63,960 ft. Range: 2,976 with no fuel reserve. Weights: Empty 37,420 lb.; loaded 65,861 lb. Weapons: Early bomber version carried one free-fall nuclear bomb; reconnaissance versions were equipped with side looking airborne radar, infrared sensors, cameras and electronic countermeasures equipment. Dimensions: Span 53 ft., Length 76 ft., Height 19 ft., Wing Area 754 Sq. ft. More information on this aircraft can be found at http://taxi-sfb.com/Pages/R5A%20Vigilante.htm Access restrictions: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   03/14/2022 Clown Shoes visited it 11/24/2017 NCDaywalker visited it 06/30/2017 hart612 visited it 06/28/2013 whttiger visited it 02/07/2013 Survivor Sean visited it 04/20/2012 OldScouterDad and Tagalong visited it 02/11/2012 PeterNoG visited it 06/27/2010 grubbsterscott1 visited it 06/27/2010 kathy444 visited it 05/14/2008 moochie visited it 10/29/2007 whitedbc visited it 12/24/2006 sailor_dave visited it 08/24/2006 CacheMonkeez visited it 08/20/2006 MountainTrekkers visited it 04/21/2006 Jackie and Bob visited it

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