A-3 Skywarrior Landing Aboard the USS Kitty Hawk Desk Mat

Sale price$19.99 USD

Tax excluded.


Size: 31.5" × 15.5"

The A-3 Skywarrior, nicknamed the “Whale” due to its large size and bulky shape, was a carrier-based strategic bomber developed for the U.S. Navy during the early Cold War. Originally conceived in the late 1940s as a nuclear strike aircraft, it first flew in 1952 and entered service in 1956. It was the heaviest aircraft ever routinely launched from an aircraft carrier. A total of 282 Skywarriors were built across multiple variants. While the A-3 never dropped a nuclear weapon in combat, it proved highly versatile, serving in roles such as electronic warfare (EA-3B), aerial refuelling (KA-3B), reconnaissance (RA-3B), and transport. The Skywarrior saw extensive use during the Vietnam War, especially in tanker and electronic warfare support missions. Retired from U.S. Navy service in 1991, the A-3's adaptability and longevity made it a key asset across decades of naval operations.