On 9/7/2010 12:21 PM, Nikon wrote:
I am attempting to get this group back on subject by requesting those
with infomation and comments on the U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft
known as the RA-5C to make them. This group has moved way beyond the
intended subject matter.

The Vig was an interesting aircraft with great flight performance.
Originally designed as a bomber, the integral bomb bay between the
engines was never made to work. On the other hand, North American
marketed a variant to the Air Force as a long range interceptor,
inserting a third J-79 into the bomb bay. I never read the estimate
flight characteristics but rate of climb should have been phenomena. The
maximum mach number wouldn't change because the airplane would get soft
above Mach 2 or so.

Paul