tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post6443351089989616696..comments2024-03-08T16:42:41.614-08:00Comments on Tailhook Topics: Vigilante!Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-165490116447706802017-07-30T07:35:01.632-07:002017-07-30T07:35:01.632-07:00Trying to contact aircrew (Harry Hawken?) or other...Trying to contact aircrew (Harry Hawken?) or others from NAS Albany 1972. I'm former Air Force pilot who joined up with distressed Vigilante that had complete hydraulic failure. Finally they lost control and ejected as we approached the airfield. Their canopy & seats nearly hit me on the way out.<br />Ty Harris tyowah@gmail.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307998323389294236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-40656879197237576372016-10-05T19:14:30.599-07:002016-10-05T19:14:30.599-07:00Thank you very much for your prompt and complete a...Thank you very much for your prompt and complete answer and I appreciate the illustration you added - I've always wondered how that flight control arrangement worked. I don't know how to attach a file in this blog but the overhead views I've found of the A-5 show what appear to be 3 (maybe 4) control surfaces forward of the trailing edge flaps and inboard of the wingfold. I'm trying to find the measurements of these surfaces and what any stenciling was, such as "NO STEP" and if any would have been marked "SPEED BRAKE". I've looked at various plastic modeling sites but they either show no stenciling or the images are not high enough resolution to make out the words. Any images or URLs are appreciated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-5085200591386961512016-10-05T16:58:01.942-07:002016-10-05T16:58:01.942-07:00There were two sets of spoiler, slot, and deflecto...There were two sets of spoiler, slot, and deflector on each wing (and no ailerons). The deflector was hinged on its aft side so it directed air into the slot; the spoiler was hinged on its forward side to open the slot for the deflected air to escape. One set raised that wing. The other set lowered it. The inboard set took up more of the span than the outboard set, presumably to equalize the rolling moment. If you look closely at the comparison pictures of the A3J and RA-5C above, you'll see two different roll-control configurations, one to roll left and one to roll right. I've added an illustration of the spoiler/slot/deflector.<br /><br />Speed brake actuation opened all four sets of roll controls simultaneously. Roll control was then accomplished by partially closing the opposing sets, reducing speed brake effectiveness.Tailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-34219560554286895142016-10-05T14:02:34.877-07:002016-10-05T14:02:34.877-07:00I am researching the dimensions and stenciling of ...I am researching the dimensions and stenciling of the RA-5 speed brake, which I understand these were not speed brakes per se, but spoilers on the upper surface of both wings that could be raised simultaneously to create drag. In various drawings I can see several upper wing horizontal control surfaces but am not sure which one is the spoiler/speed brake (I know this aircraft had a complicated flight control system). Any information you could provide would be helpful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com