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| Developed to satisfy a US Navy requirement of 1944 for a single-seat carrier-based dive bomber and torpedo carrier, the Douglas AD Skyraider (as it became designated) materialised too late for operational service in World War II. Ordered into production alongside the Martin AM Mauler, which had been developed to meet the same specification, it was to continue in production until 1957; although Martin's aircraft was taken off the production line after 151 had been built.
The Skyraider reflected the navy's wartime experience gained in the Pacific theatre, where it had been proved that the most important requirement for such aircraft was the ability to carry and deliver a heavy load of assorted weapons. Of low-wing monoplane configuration, a big Wright R-3350 radial engine was selected as the most suitable power plant to meet the load-carrying requirement, and this more or less dictated the fuselage proportions. The prototype XBT2D-1 flew for the first time on 18 March 1945. When production terminated 12 years later 3,180 aircraft had been built in many variants.
Although too late for World War II, Skyraiders were successfully deployed in both the Korean War and in Vietnam. Steady development led to the introduction of new power plant and equipment and the AD-5 was one of the most versatile military aircraft in US service. It differed significantly from earlier versions by having a wider and lengthened fuselage and providing side-by-side seating for two crew; specially designed quick-change kits were available so that the basic AD-5 could be utilised as a 12-seat transport, as well as for freight-carrying, ambulance and target-towing roles. When the US tri-service designations were rationalised in 1962, AD-1 to AD-7 versions became redesignated from A-1A to A-1J.
In addition to serving with the US Navy, Skyraiders have been operated also by the USAF and with the Royal Navy, French and Vietnamese Air Forces among others.
| MODEL | AD-7 (AD-1J) |
| ENGINE | 1 x Wright R-3350-26WA, 1985kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 11340 kg | 25001 lb |
| Empty weight | 4785 kg | 10549 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 15.47 m | 51 ft 9 in |
| Length | 11.84 m | 39 ft 10 in |
| Height | 4.78 m | 16 ft 8 in |
| Wing area | 37.16 m2 | 399.99 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 515 km/h | 320 mph |
| Ceiling | 7740 m | 25400 ft |
| Range | 1448 km | 900 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 4 x 20mm cannon, 3629kg of bombs |
| Larie Clark, e-mail, 29.10.2010 19:51 Looking for the Spad Squadron and pilots off the USS Saratoga who crash landed two spads in Central Algeria while on the 1962 /1963 Med cruise. Held captive for several weeks and escaped to the US Embassy reply | | Bear Hildebrandt, e-mail, 27.10.2010 22:35 I was lucky enough to get in on the end of the SKYRAIDER era with the VA-215 BARNOWLS. After our last cruise on the Bonny Dick, they were all flown to the desert...It was a handful to handle and it would bite you real bad if you let it....a trip off the runway into the dirt at Lemoore during my first flight at VA-122 proved that to me right off !!! reply |
| Rabon Prater, e-mail, 20.10.2010 05:27 Made a shake down cruise in Gitmo, February 1964 when Castro cut off the water to the base. Nine month Med cruise in 1964 with VA-15 A1H Spads as an aviation store keeper. Planes were to be given to the Airforce to be used in Vietnam, home port change and first Intruders for this squadron. Being a short timer went to VA-44 Cecil Field Florida and seperated in July 1965. Good dependable plane, carry its weight in bombs I was told and knew by heart most of the ordered parts numbers at one time. reply | | Don Safer, e-mail, 17.10.2010 22:22 I was aboard the USS Kitty Hawk for the '65-'66 cruise with the first depoyment of the E-2A Super Fudd (VAW-11 det C) as an ATR-2. Also aboard was VA-115, a Skyraider squadron. As I recall, it was the last A-1 attack squadron deployed aboard the Kitty Hawk or any other "super carrier", CVA59 and newer.
I remember the A-1 wings were so heavily loaded with ordinance that the wings could not be folded by the hydraulics alone and had to be assisted by several of the deck crew. I guess this was required after loading and before taxi-ing to take off position on the deck.
I remember a "story I was told about A1s back then. VIPs were observing carrier launches and as a Skyraider started down the deck the PR officer explained "the A-1 can carry the same bomb load as a WWII B-17, but (at this point, as the A-1's angine faultered when clearing the bow, causing it to drop out of sight) not as far". ;> reply | |
| | Grumpy72, e-mail, 13.10.2010 22:43 Saw one of these crash after takeoff at MCB Kaneohe Bay in 1957 or 58. I think it was from VMA 212, I was in 1st MAR Brigade. Not a pretty site. I also saw these dive bombing Kaho'olawe island during training maneuvers. It was very impressive. Tried to be a Marine pilot was accepted but failed (vertigo). I have tremedous respect for pilots. reply | | Chuck Purcell, e-mail, 11.10.2010 22:37 While I was in the reserves at Alanta I flew the Skyraider. While flying from Miami back home I put on automatic pilot got out my lunch tuned aM station and a nice flight home. Nice plane. reply | | AOC James F. Shaw, e-mail, 05.10.2010 17:28 Was Stationed with VA-85 onboard USS FORRESTAL 1962 thru 1964 as an Ordnanceman third class. What a workhorse, This Aircraft carried everything but missiles. I think in two years I must have loaded millions of MK-76s at NAS OCEANA. Sure brings back GOOD memories. reply | | paul engel, e-mail, 24.09.2010 17:49 1960-1966 VA-42 VA-85 VA-135 VA-35 VA-45 /43
The old lady saved my ass many times. Last of a breed !!!! reply | | Kenneth Wachtel, e-mail, 18.09.2010 19:22 I was an AT2(CA)in VC-12 in the period 1953-1956. In 1954-1955 I was assigned to Detachment 35 of VC-12 on the carrier Midway (CV-41). We flew AD-4W Guppies during the evacuation of the Tachen Islands when the Chinese Communists were forcing the Chinese Nationalists across the Straits of Formosa to Formosa (Taiwan). Our carrier was part of Task Force 77, as I remember it. We had 4 carriers in our force and flew, or stood ready aircraft, during the evacuation period. In "Warbird Tech Series, Volume 13" by Kris Hughes and Walter Drainem the many versions of the AD(A1) are shown. Many of the pictures are of VC-12"s aircraft. Personally, I was privledged to fly as a radar operator and crewman for 2,200 hours in AD-3W, AD-4w, and AD-5W aircraft. Had 50 carrier landings with LtJG Charles Gillespie (Later Captain, now deceased). Charles endured 6 years of imprisonment in Viet Nam later.
Kenneth Wachtel reply | | Rick Steans, e-mail, 14.09.2010 04:00 I took care of radio and nav-aids on A1E's at Pleiku during 1966. When debriefing a returning pilot it was routine to hear that he lost comm or nav during or right after a bomb or strafing run. You then checked the fuselage for bullet entry holes to determine if it was going to be the black box, or god forbid, a wire bundle. I'll never forget those guys or the A1E. reply | | Dale Mastley, e-mail, 27.07.2010 00:17 I was an aviation electricians mate in the Navy and was in an AD-5(A1E)SQUADRON IN 1963.We later switched to the A4 Skyhawk.I absolutely loved being a plane captain on both of these fine airplanes.The Skyraider could be difficult to start and it wasn`t unusual for one of us plane captains to have to start one for a reserve pilot. reply | | Mike Hall, e-mail, 26.07.2010 04:06 i recently watched a Military Channel program about F-16's providing close support to Special Ops guys in Iraq. It occurred to me that a powerful piston powered fighter capable of carrying massive amounts of ordnance would be better at this job. i wonder if any A1 pilots from the Vietnam era have any thoughts on this. reply | | Gear, e-mail, 13.06.2010 13:28 Could you please tell me what are the improvement or diffirences between A-1H and A-1J. Thank you. reply | | John Hebbe, e-mail, 16.08.2010 19:20 In a flying career spanning 51 years, the Skyraider was by far the most enjoyable to fly. VA-35 (east coast) 1959-1962. Read farther down: If you have any 8mm or movies of the AD, Joe Kaposi would be pleased to hear from you. reply | |
| | Richard Paul, e-mail, 12.05.2010 23:33 Went to mech school at NAS Millington and use to do mag checks on ADs in the morning. What a thril. When later assigned to HMX-1 5 /57-4 /59 I had the oportunity to fly with a captain who was assigned to the engineering squadron (AES 12?) at the same field. AD5s and T 34s. If still out there please e-mail me. He was also a friend of a Major Mixon. S /F reply | | Joe, e-mail, 28.04.2010 10:23 Dear Shipmate,
I served in the Royal Australian Navy as an Aircraft Handler on our last carrier HMAS Melbourne during the late 70's.
I now collect copies of 'privately' filmed (8mm or video) carrier films as a hobby as well as PLAT footage, mishaps and other items filmed by Navy cameramen aboard carriers. I would like to swap copies of any carrier flying footage you may have, especially home video or mishaps film.
If you have any footage and are interested in sharing with a fellow ship mate, please reply and ask for my swapping list.
Long time Tailhook member.
Regards Joe jkaposi@hotmail.com
Sydney Australia reply | | Dave Roscoe ex-ET1, e-mail, 21.03.2010 04:14 Served aboard USS HORNET CVA-12 1953-1956 . Plankowner from recomissioning at Brooklyn NS Sept 1953 . Heading out on our 1954 World Cruise, on transitting Suez Canal , 4 AD's , lashed down at bow , 2 STBD , 2 PORT facing each other , responding to orders from Bridge , with commands for various thrust requirements. Due to speed restrictions imposed on HORNET holding us to 5 Knots max due to a few feet clearance between our keel and canal bottom , we needed the thrust from the Spads for adequate steerage , not available at 5 Knots . Talk about their versatility ! What an airplane. reply | | Don Palmer, e-mail, 10.03.2010 22:08 Mt first duty assignment was Va-122 NAS Lemoore(66-68). I learned to be a Plane Captain on A1H /J and T28 B /C. What great memories. The smoke and sound of those recips was a turn-on. reply | | John Teerling, e-mail, 22.02.2010 05:26 I flew the A1H /Js off the Ticonderoga CV14 getting out in July 1965. Flew missions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. A great flying machine that was extremely versitile. In one tour was able to log over 200 carrier landings with over 100 night landings. Flew with a bunch of great guys that pulled every stunt in the book. reply | | CDR. Darrell "Buddy" Edson USN, e-mail, 22.02.2010 00:13 First flew the Skyraider during advanced pilot training at VT-30, Corpus Christie,TX. Received my "Wings of Gold" in OCT 1962 and then reported to VA-122 (Flying Eagles) at NAS Moffit Field, CA for Replacement Airgroup Training with further orders to V-152 (Aces) or commonly named the 152nd Light Bombardment and Twilight Pursuit Squadron. I was fortunate to fly the A-1E /G /H /J models of the Spad for 1,719hrs. I was a member of V-152 Det Zulu sent to Bein Hoa AFB, South Vietnam in 1964 to train the South Vietnamese pilots to fly the A-1H /J and also to fly combat sortties in South Vietnam. I also flew the A-1H /J in combat off the ORISKANY in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1965. I finished up flying the Spad training the last of the A-1H /J West coast Navy pilots at VA-122 in Lemoore,CA (1966-1969). This multi-mission capable aircraft was a pleasure to fly and could sustain a lot of battle damage and yet return one safely to the ship. As Captain George Duskin said, "had enough firepower to make true believers out of the gommers". reply |
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COMPANY
PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
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CDR. Darrell "Buddy" Edson USN
I ALSO WAS WITH VA-215 ON THE BONNY DICK. I WAS THE ONE WHO DESIGNED THE STENCIL OF THE BARN OWLS THAT WAS PAINTED ON THE DROP TANKS OF THE AD-6. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL DESIGN IN MY MEMORY CABINET. I REMEMBER GOING TO WINNAMUCKA NEVADA FOR BOMBING TRAINING. I MAY HAVE BEEN THERE WHEN YOU DID YOUR TRIP OFF THE RUNWAY.
BEST OF LUCK,
JOE MCGIFFIN AME3
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