Douglas A-3 Skywarrior by Smiling Wombat — Cold War Carrier 'Whale' Bomber & Tanker

This shirt collection highlights the A-3 Sky Warrior Bomber, commonly known as the "Whale."

The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was a large, jet-powered bomber used by the U.S. in the 1960s. Nicknamed "The Whale" due to its size, it was one of the biggest aircraft to operate from aircraft carriers. Here’s a simple breakdown:

The A-3 Sky Warrior Bomber, designed for heavy bombing and nuclear missions, also served as a reconnaissance plane and tanker. It had a 72-foot wingspan, 76-foot length, and a crew of three. Powered by two jet engines, it flew up to 2,000 miles at 600 mph. It carried 12,000 pounds of bombs internally. Used during the Cold War, it gathered intelligence and deterred enemies. Serving from the 1950s to the 1960s, some versions remained active into the 1990s for electronic warfare purposes.

The A-3 was a key part of the U.S. arsenal, valued for its versatility and ability to operate from carriers, projecting power far from U.S. shores.

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