DOUGLAS AD5 SKYRAIDER

ORIGIN WWII

The Douglas "Skyraider" was a design submitted to the U.S. Navy as a replacement for the famous SBD dive-bomber. Originally designated as the XBT2D-1, the new aircraft made its maiden flight on March 18, 1945, two weeks ahead of schedule. It was the most powerful carrier-based aircraft ever built. Its single engine with its three fuselage stations and six racks on each wing could carry varied assortments of ordnance including rockets, mines, torpedoes, bombs, and napalms. In fact, it could carry more ordnance weight that that of the famous Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. The Navy gave Douglas a letter of intent of 543 aircraft, but the order was reduced to 277 after VJ (Victory in Japan) Day. In 1946, the aircraft was designated as "AD-1."

The Remaining Years (Korea and Vietnam):

Few aircraft have been known by so many names as the Skyraider. At various times in its career, it was designated the BT2D, AD (Able Dog), A -1, and was also affectionately called the Destroyer, Hobo, Spad, Sandy, and the Flying Dump Truck.

Following the AD-1 came 178 AD-2s, 193 AD-3s and 1,051 AD-4s. These performed various roles as daytime and all-weather attack, radar patrol, and electronic countermeasures. In 1951 the variant two-seater AD-5 appeared, with a bigger cabin, and a year later production resumed with 713 single-seater AD-6 versions. The last version was the 72 AD-7s in 1955.

The Skyraider performed well in Korea by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It was described as the best close-support and interdiction aircraft in the world at that time. During one mission, ADs destroyed the floodgates of the Hwachon Dam using torpedoes. This precluded the enemy from flooding two valleys and holding back the American advance.

In Vietnam, the Skyraider was employed by both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. From carriers in the South China Sea, the Skyraiders carried out bombing strikes and close air support operations. It was used in operations against the Viet Cong strongholds in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. It picked up its famous call-sign "Sandy" as an integral element in the recovery of downed aircrew. It joined a team of helicopters in the rescue effort. it provided suppressive fire on the enemy while U.S. Air Force Sikorsky HH-3s (Jolly Greens) and Sikorsky HH-53s (Super Jolly Greens) plucked the down aircrew members.

Despite being a propeller-powered aircraft, A-1H Skyraiders of the 77th Task Force hold the incredible feat of shooting down two Mig 17s.

The Navy used the Skyraider up until April 1968, completing over 100,000 missions over Vietnam. Surplus Skyraiders were turn over to the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). The U.S. Air Force continued to use the Skyraider in rescue operations.

• AD-1:
  The initial single seat version of the Skyraider was powered by a 2,500 hp Wright R-3350-24W engine. The initial specifications were as follows:
  
  • Wing Span: 50 feet
    
  • Length: 38 feet, 4 inches
    
  • Weight: Empty, 10,508 lb; Maximum 13,924 lb
    
  • Armament: Bombs one 2,000 lbs Depth bomb one 650 lbs Mine one 2,000 lbs Torpedo one MK 13-3 Ordnance on Wings: Bombs two 2,000 lbs Depth Bombs two 650 lbs Mines two 1,000 lbs Rockets two 11.75 in. Tiny Tim twelve HVAR Torpedo two MK 13-3 Guns two 20 mm (M3)
    
    
• AD-1Q:
  AD-1 with countermeasures unit. AD-2: Powered with the improved 2,700 hp Wright R-3350- 26W engine.
  
  
• AD-2Q:
  AD-2 with countermeasures equipment.
  
  
• AD-3:
  Stronger fuselage, improved landing gear, new canopy design.
  
  
• AD-3N:
  Equipped for night attack.
  
  
• AD-3Q:
  Countermeasures equipment improved and relocated to provide better operation and crew comfort.
  
  
• AD-3W:
  Airborne early warning equipment.
  
  
• AD-4:
  The AD-4 was equipped with a strengthened landing gear, improved radar, G-2 compass, anti-G suit provisions, 4-20 mm cannon, and Aero 14 rocket launchers capable of carrying up to 50 pounds of bombs.
  
  
• AD-4W:
  Airborne early warning equipment.
  
  
• AD-1N:
  The primary mission of the AD-4N airplane was night attack and radar countermeasures.
  
  
• AD-4Q:
  Countermeasures equipment.
  
  
• AD-5:
  (Redesignated A-1E): A redesign of the aircraft. The AD-5 incorporated side by side seating for an assistant pilot. The revised crew arrangement facilitated all-weather operation and permitted utilization for long range navigation, radar search, spotting and observation, air support coordination, instrument training, pilot familiarization and other operations requiring a second crew member. Controls, armament and tactical equipment were located for single pilot operation. A single dive brake was provided for dive bombing and maneuvering control. The AD-5 could be converted rapidly aboard a carrier for operation as a passenger, cargo, ambulance or long range airplane by installation of appropriate conversion kits supplied as alternate equipment.
  
  
• AD-5N
  (Redesignated A-1G): Night attack version with radar countermeasures.
  
  
• AD-5W:
  (Redesignated EA-1E): Airborne early warning version.
  
  
• AD-6:
  (Redesignated A-1H): The single-place airplane is conventional in design and structure, landing gear, canopy, flaps, wing folding and three fuselage dive brakes are operated hydraulically. Capable of low level bombing, the centerline bomb station of the AD-6 was capable of carrying external stores up to 3500 pounds weight and 30 inches in diameter. A combination 14 and 30 inch suspension bomb ejector was installed. A bomb director suitable for either high or low altitude bombing was also installed.
  
  
• AD-7:
  (Redesignated A-1J): The improvements in the AD-7 over its predecessors include the use of the R-3350-26WB engine and structural improvements in the wing to improve fatigue life.
  

• AD-1U:
  AD-1 with radar countermeasures and tow target equipment. Deletion of armament and water injection equipment.
  
  
• XAD-1W:
  AD-1 with airborne early warning equipment. AD-3W prototype.
  
  
• XAD-2:
  Similar to XBT2D-1 except engine, increased fuel capacity.
  
  
• AD-2N:
  Equipped for night operations.
  
  
• AD-2U:
  AD-2 with radar countermeasure and tow target equipment. Deletion of armament and water injection equipment.
  
  
• XAD-3E:
  AD-3W modified for submarine search. Aeroproducts propeller.
  
  
• AD-2W:
  AD-2 with airborne early warning equipment.
  
  
• AD-4L:
  AD-4 equipped for winterized version.