North American AJ Savage
North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1948 · bomber
The North American AJ Savage was a US Navy carrier-based composite-powered strategic bomber designed in the late 1940s to deliver nuclear weapons, uniquely powered by two radial piston engines on the wings and one turbojet engine in the tail.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 19.22 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- US Navy composite-power carrier bomber with two piston/turboprop wing engines and one turbojet in the tail
- Large mid-wing aircraft designed to carry early nuclear weapons from carriers
- Unique three-engine arrangement: two R-2800 radials plus one Allison J33 turbojet in tail
A large, portly mid-wing carrier bomber with two radial engine nacelles on the wing and a subtle jet exhaust at the tail base; the folding wings and large size distinguish it on a carrier deck.
Specifications
- The North American AJ Savage has a length of 19.22 m (63 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.76 m (71 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 758 km/h (471 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in July 1948, the Savage entered Navy service in 1949 as the first carrier-based aircraft capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. The unusual three-engine arrangement was chosen to give flexibility: the turbojets for sprinting to the target and the radials for efficient cruise.
Variants
The AJ-1 was the initial production version; the AJ-2 followed with more powerful R-2800 engines and an improved navigation system; the AJ-2P was a photographic reconnaissance variant.
Where you'll see it
Served with US Navy composite squadrons (VC-) from 1949 until replacement by the A-3 Skywarrior in the mid-1950s; never used in combat.
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