14-2668 —

From the Wickipedia article on the Douglas A3 Skywarrior (ERA-3B variant):- Eight RA-3Bs converted as electronic aggressor aircraft (primarily for war-at sea exercises) with ECM gear in an extended tail cone and fairings, along with two detachable ram-air turbine powered ALQ-76 countermeasures pods (one under each wing), chaff dispensers (on the tail cone and aft fuselage) and four ram-air turbines (two per side) to power equipment located in the former bomb bay. Crew increased to four: pilot, navigator, crew chief, and Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) with one mostly unused "jumpseat" in the aft crew compartment (the former weapon bay) which lacked an equipment position for a second Electronic Countermeasures Officer or enlisted crewman. The "jump seat" was used by instructor ECMOs training new ECMOs, as well as by guest observers and passengers during operational flights. While the ERA-3B could withstand a cable-arrested landing, the ALT-40 and ALR-75 equipment was not stressed to withstand catapult launches, thus it was never deployed aboard carriers. The ERA-3B served with VAQ-33 and later with VAQ-34.

Nice shot, Habujet! I found this on Joe Baugher's web site:

"Douglas A3D-2P Skywarrior, 142668 (MSN 11731) to MASDC as 2A0105 Nov 14, 1974. NARF Alameda, CA and returned to service. Modified as ERA-3B by Engineering Systems Inc., Love Field, Dallas, TX 1983. VAQ-34; code GD-211. SOC and bailed to Hughes Aircraft / Raytheon Flight Systems. Registered 5Feb92 as N163TB; cancelled 5May15. Storage at Mojave, CA"

Also, the ICAO code for all variants of the Skywarrior is: A3.

When I completed "A" School in Memphis, my first post was VQ-2 in Rota Spain. Seeing a Whale sure brings back a lot of memories.

And the Air Force variant is the EB-66. Used for ECM work.

Wow Mark, good info. Thanks!

Engineering Systems Inc., Love Field 1983? O.K. got it. There is a lot about that whale no one will ever tell you.

My records indicate that this was one of 8 ERA-3B's converted to NRA-3B configuration. I think the cancellation date of it as N163TB was a bit of catchup paperwork by the FAA as I have this aircraft as B/U at Mojave CA in Feb 2010