Douglas A-1 Skyraider Fighter / Bomber (1946)
The multi-purpose A-1 Douglas Skyraider.
The Skyraider saw its first flight in March of 1945 as the "XBT2D-1 Destroyer II" prototype. This proved the first instance and was actually designed as a carrierborne torpedo / dive bomber in the vain of the Douglas SBD Dauntless before it. The airframe provided observers with an impressive display of its capabilities and the series was put into serial production shortly thereafter under its more recognizable AD-1 "Skyraider" designation.
The AD-1 Skyraider was a large aircraft for its single-engine, single-seat low-monoplane wing approach. The series was powered by a massive Wright radial piston engine fitted to the fuselage in a conventional arrangement (ahead of the cockpit). From the first AD-1, featuring a 2,500 horsepower engine and twin 20mm cannon armament, to the AD-4B that was modified to be nuclear-delivery capable, the Skyraider proved its value as a highly adaptable aircraft through sheer numbers and mission success.
Underwing stores included conventional drop bombs and rockets which, when coupled with the integrated cannon armament, provide a devastating punch against enemy ground targets in the open or those under cover. The large fuselage allowed the aircraft to be modified for more specialized roles including that of anti-shipping (with widened fuselage for a second crewmember seated side-by-side) and the "N" model featuring a crew of three and specialized for the night-fighting role.
After a stellar run of these variants, production numbered past 3,100 units. The series would later be redesignated to the more historically identifiable "A-1" marker. The Skyraider was used by both American and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Captured systems fell to Vietnam proper. The type was also fielded by neighboring Cambodia and Thailand. In Europe the series found operators in the United Kingdom, France and Sweden. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Douglas A-1 Skyraider
Fighter / Bomber
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Corporation - USA
Initial Year of Service: 1946
Production: 3,180
Focus Model: Douglas AD-1 Skyraider
Crew: 1
Length: 39.37ft (12m)
Width: 50.00ft (15.24m)
Height: 15.75ft (4.80m)
Weight (Empty): 10,470lbs (4,749kg)
Weight (MTOW): 18,029lbs (8,178kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Wright R-3350-24W air-cooled radial engine generating 2,500 horsepower.
Maximum Speed: 321mph (517kmh; 279kts)
Maximum Range: 1,553miles (2,500km)
Service Ceiling: 26,001ft (7,925m; 4.9miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,300 feet per minute (701m/min)
Hardpoints: 14
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
4 x 20mm Cannons fitted to wings
OPTIONAL:
12 x Rockets underwing
Up to 7,000 pounds of external ordnance including conventional drop bombs, torpedoes, machine gun pods, cannon pods and mine dispensers.
Variants:
XBT2D-1 "Destroyer II" - Prototype Model Designation.
AD-1 - Fitted with R-3350-24W radial engine generating 2,500hp; 2 x 20mm cannons; 8,000lbs of underwing stores; 242 produced.
AD-2 - 156 produced featuring increased fuel capacity.
AD-1Q
AD-2Q
AD-3 - 125 produced; new canopy and landing gear system.
AD-3N - Night Attack Variant
AD-3Q - Electronic Countermeasures
AD-3W - AEW Radar-Toting Model
AD-4 - Fitted with R-3350-26WA engine generating 2,700hp; autopilot system implemented.
AD-4B - Nuclear capability; 4 x 20mm cannon; 165 produced.
AD-4L - Winterized Variant
AD-4N - Modified Variant to AD-4NA Standard
AD-4NA - Day Attack Variant
AD-4NL - Winterized Variant
AD-5 - Anti-Submarine Model of which 212 produced; two crew-seating in side-by-side configuration; widened fuselage.
AD-6 - Improved AD-4B versions; improved low-level bombing capability; 713 produced.
AD-7 - AD-6 version fitted with R-3350-26WB and reinforced substructure of which 73 were produced in total in this way.
A-1E - AD-5 Redesignated from 1962 standard onwards.
A-1H - AD-6 Redesignated from 1962 standard onwards.
A-1J - AD-7 Redesignated from 1962 standard onwards.
Operators: Cambodia; Central African Republic; Chad; France; Gabon; South Vietnam; Thailand; Sweden; United Kingdom; United States; Vietnam
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