Convair Sea Dart

[sandiego89]

Limited production of the Sea Dart continued, with 38 aircraft eventually produced, enough to equip 3 operational squadrons, one fleet coversion squadron and a trials unit.  Operational versions were equipped with 4x20mm colt cannons and provision for AIM-9 sidewinders or rocket pods on short stub pylons on each side.  A tactial nuclear delivery profile was also possible using a rearward ejecting rack, and was actually the impetus for saving the program as it was envsioned that a squadron of Sea Darts from tenders, supporting submarines and remote shore bases could delivery quick strikes.

Several deployments were made aboard tenders of the Currituck class.  The model below is portrayed as a VF-24 aircraft deployed aboard the Currituck (AV-7) conducting operations in the Sea of Japan during the flaa 1959 Korean crisis.   

The aircraft were switched over the the white and light gull gray as were all tactical aricraft in the US Navy during that time period, althought several Sea Dart retained thier blue paitn throughout their career. 

More bulid shots and what this started as contianed in the Seaplane group build section. 

[Rafael]

Genius. Simple, pure, unadulterated coolness!!!!

Rafa

[ElectrikBlue]

YES! That's a really cool whif! 

Regards,

EB