a civilian composite aircraft secretly evaluated by the USAF as an early low-observable research platform
operating from austere forward airstrips close to the front lines
ultimately leading to an order for 200 MB-3As — awarded to Boeing in one of that company's earliest significant military contracts — and service with frontline pursuit units including the 1st Pursuit Group
the A-24 brought the Dauntless's proven dive bombing capability to USAAC service
the KA-3B became one of the most valuable assets on the carrier flight deck — a high-capacity aerial tanker capable of passing large quantities of fuel to thirsty strike aircraft
Douglas A-3B Skywarrior 138974 United States Navy a civilian composite aircraft secretlyThese are 1 72 scale decals for Douglas A 3B Skywarrior 138974, assigned to VAH 11 (Heavy Attack Squadron 11), operating from the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42). The A 3B Skywarrior was the definitive production variant of what was, at the time of its introduction, the largest and heaviest aircraft ever designed to operate from an aircraft carrier. Known throughout the Navy as the Whale for its imposing size, the A 3B was designed to deliver