A-1 Skyraider

A-1 Skyraider
Missing image
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A-1 Skyraider, USA 2003
Description
RoleNaval (later USAF) attack and airborne early warning aircraft
Crew1-4
First FlightMarch 18, 1945
Entered Service1946
ManufacturerDouglas Aircraft
Dimensions
Length38 ft 4 in11.7 m
Wingspan50 ft15.2 m
Height17 ft 6 in5.3 m
Wing area ft² m²
Weights
Empty10,508 lb4,766 kg
Loaded13,924 lb (as scout)
18,030 lb (as bomber)		6,316 kg (as scout)
8,180 kg (as bomber)
Maximum takeoff lb kg
Capacity
Powerplant
EnginesOne Wright R-3550-24W engine
Power2,500 hp1,900 kW
Performance
Maximum speed mph km/h
Combat range miles km
Ferry range miles km
Service ceiling23,800 ft7,300 m
Rate of climb ft/min m/min
Wing loading lb/ft² kg/m²
Thrust/Weight
Power/Mass hp/lb kW/kg
Avionics
Avionics
Armament
Guns2 x 20 mm M-3 cannons
BombsOne 2,000 lb (450 kg) bomb on fuselage, two 2,000 lb (450 kg) bombs on wings
Depth bombsOne 650 lb (300 kg) depth bomb on fuselage, two 650 lb (300 kg) depth bombs on wings
TorpedoesOne MK 13-3 on fuselage, two MK 13-3 on wings
MinesOne 2,000 lb (900 kg) mine on fuselage, two 1,000 lb (450 kg) mines on wings
RocketsTwo 11.75 Tiny Tim or 12 HVAR on wings

The Douglas AD (later A-1) Skyraider was a US single-seat attack bomber of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s, a propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age with a remarkably long and successful career.

The Skyraider was originally designed in the 1940s by Ed Heinemann of the Douglas Aircraft Company, as a simpler alternative to the XBTD-1. At the time of the first prototype's flight on 18 March 1945, it was the largest production single-seater aircraft. The low-wing monoplane design started with a Wright R-3350 radial engine, later upgraded multiple times. Its distinctive feature was the presence of seven hardpoints on each wing, enabling it to carry a tremendous amount of ordnance for its size.

Although the Skyraider came into production too late for World War II, it turned out to be of great value in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, since its weapon load and 10-hour flying time far surpassed the jets that were available.

It went through seven versions, starting with the AD-1, then AD-2 and AD-3 with various minor improvements, then the AD-4 with a more powerful R-3350-26WA engine. The AD-5 was significantly widened, allowing two crew to sit side-by-side (this was not the first multiple-crew variant, the AD-1Q being a two-seater and the AD-3N a three-seater); it also came in a 4-seat night-attack version, the AD-5N. The AD-6 was an improved AD-4B with improved low-level bombing equipment, and the final production version AD-7 was upgraded to a R-3350-26WB engine.

Production ended in 1957 with a total of 3,180 built. However, in 1962 the existing Skyraiders were redesignated A-1D through A-1J and later used by both the USAF and the Navy in the Vietnam War.

In addition to serving during Korea and Vietnam as an attack aircraft, it was modified into the first airborne early warning aircraft to see service off aircraft carriers. It served in this function in the USN and Royal Navy, being replaced by the E-1 Tracer and Fairey Gannet respectively in those services.

Contents
1 Variants
2 Units using the A-1

2.1 USAF Squadrons
2.2 USN Squadrons
2.3 USMC Squadrons
2.4 Fleet Air Arm
2.5 Armée de l'Air
2.6 Republic of Vietnam Air Force

3 External link

Variants

Units using the A-1

USAF Squadrons

USN Squadrons

USMC Squadrons

Fleet Air Arm

Armée de l'Air

Republic of Vietnam Air Force

External link

Related content
Related Development
Similar Aircraft
Designation Series

A-1 - A-2 - A-3 - A-4 - A-5

Related Lists

List of military aircraft of the United States


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See also: A-1 Skyraider, 18 March, 1940s, 1945, 1950s, 1957, 1960s, 1962, 1970s