Douglas ERA-3B Skywarrior, N161TB / 12398, Thunderbird Aviation
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N161TB
Construction Number: 12398
Code Number: 146446
Model Douglas ERA-3B Skywarrior
Operator: Thunderbird Aviation
Airport: Phoenix - Deer Valley (DVT / KDVT), USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 09/05/1993
Date Submitted: 08/02/2009
Converted by NARF Alameda to ERA-3B in September 1972. One of eight A-3B's converted to ERA-3B as an electronic aggressor and SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) aircraft with Electronic Counter-Measures in a new tail cone. She was assigned to VAQ-33 "The Firebirds". VAQ-33 were a Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG) squadron based at both NAS Norfolk, Viginia and NAS Oceana, also in Viginia. They were later based at NAS Key West, Florida. In civilian life she was operated by Thunderbird Aviation who were specialists in providing ex-military aircraft for use in flight test operations on behalf of both private industry and the US Department of Defence. Unfortunately they went bankrupt in 1996. She was later used by Hughes for test and development work, then stored at Tucsan before finally being scrapped on 22 February 2001.
Picture ID:1157497