RVAH-5 Savage Sons (1974) RA-5c Vigilante Model

RVAH-5 Savage Sons (1974) RA-5c Wood Model

Fly with the RVAH-5 Savage Sons again with this meticulously carved and hand-painted 18-inch wood model. Crafted from premium mahogany, this model captures the spirit of the legendary squadron and its iconic jet, making it a unique keepsake for aviation enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Length: 18 inches
Material: Mahogany
Business: Proudly from a US Veteran-Owned Business

Own a piece of aviation history—order yours today!

By USN - U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Constellation (CVA-64) 1974 cruise book available at Navysite.de, Public Domain,

RVAH-5 was a Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Originally established as Composite Squadron Five (VC-5) at NAS Moffett Field, California on 9 September 1948, it was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron Five (VAH-5) on 1 November 1955 and was later redesignated as Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron Five (RVAH-5) in May 1964. The squadron was disestablished on 30 September 1977.

156632

5/1970: Delivered to the United States Navy.

1970: RVAH-3 as GJ-304.

1971-72: RVAH-5 as NE-601.

1974: RVAH-5 as NG-601.

1974: RVAH-3.

1974-75: RVAH-6 as NH-602.

1975: RVAH-6 as NH-611.

1977-78: RVAH-7 as NH-6xx.

1978: RVAH-3.

8/2/1979: Struck off charge.

8/1979: Sent to NWC China Lake, CA for Armaments Electronics Tests.

Currently displayed on a pylon at NAS Sanford Memorial Park at Orlando-Sanford APT, FL.

Summary of Reconnaissance Attack Squadron FIVE History

Unofficial Beginnings (World War II)

Formation: Started as Composite Squadron FIVE on September 6, 1943, at NAS Seattle.
WWII Service: Flew over 2,200 combat sorties (totaling more than 7,500 hours) in operations at Guam, Peleliu, and Leyte Gulf.
Decommissioning: Returned to the U.S. and was decommissioned on October 1, 1945.

Official Formation and Early Years (1948–1957)

Re-establishment: Officially commissioned as VC-5 at Moffett Field, California in 1948.
Nicknames & Aircraft: Initially called the "Grim Reapers," then later became known as the "Savage Sons of Sanford" after relocating to Florida. Flew the P2V-3 Neptune and later the North American AJ-1 "Savage."
Deployments: Moved from California to Norfolk, Virginia, and then to NAS Jacksonville, Florida; deployed twice to Morocco.
Achievements: Won several bombing derbies, including early victories in 1957.

Transition and Operational Excellence (1958–1968)

Awards and Records:
- 1958: Achieved multiple awards in bombing competitions and set heavy attack records.
- 1959–1961: Earned safety awards and the Atlantic Fleet Battle Readiness Excellence pennant while deploying to the Mediterranean.
New Mission: In 1963, transitioned from a bombing role to tactical reconnaissance with the new RA-5C Vigilante aircraft.
Vietnam Involvement:
- 1964: Became the first squadron to deploy operational RA-5Cs, playing a key role in early Vietnam combat operations.
- 1965–1966: Continued deployments, including Mediterranean operations and extensive sea surveillance during regional conflicts.
Homeport Change: In April 1968, left NAS Sanford for the final time and moved home to NAS Albany, Georgia.

Combat Deployments and Final Operations (1968–1977)

Southeast Asia Deployments:
- May 1968: Departed on an eight-month deployment aboard USS CONSTELLATION, engaging in various combat operations such as pre-strike assessments and electronic reconnaissance.
- 1969: Conducted additional carrier qualifications and combat deployments from NAS Alameda.
Major Missions & Losses:
- 1971: Deployed on USS ENTERPRISE during operations in the Indian Ocean; suffered the loss of its Commanding Officer and Navigator in a Gulf of Tonkin crash.
- 1972–1973: Prepared and executed a fourth combat cruise on USS RANGER, including intense North Vietnam operations and top training evaluations.
Later Years:
- 1974: Moved to Key West, Florida, and deployed on USS CONSTELLATION, operating in the Persian Gulf and earning high tactical honors.
- 1975–1976: Focused on training and another major deployment on USS RANGER, including missions in the Indian Ocean amid global unrest.
Disestablishment: The squadron was officially disestablished on September 30, 1977.

VAH-5 Savage Sons A3D/A-3B Skywarrior Model, 1/50th Scale Model, Mahogany, Strategic Bomber

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