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Description
Douglas AD-5 A1-E Skyraider
Developed at a time when faster swept wing jet aircraft were becoming prominent, the piston engine straight winged Skyraider filled a vital niche for the United States Navy, Marines and Air Force.
Ed Heinemann of Douglas Aircraft Co. designed the Skyraider in response to a US Navy requirement for a single place carrier based long range dive-bomber / torpedo attack aircraft. The prototype Skyraider first flew on March 18, 1945. The first production AD-1, delivered in December 1946, went into service in Navy Fighter Squadron Nineteen (VA-19A).
The plane played an important role in the Korean War. Flown by Navy and Marine squadrons, the Skyraider was the backbone of close air support and ground attack operations. Its powerful Wright R-3350 radial engine and ample fuel load gave it a large combat radius, especially compared to jets of the period while its large straight wing and seven hardpoints per wing, gave it excellent low speed maneuverability plus the ability to carry a large amount of ordnance.
Years later, in the Vietnam War, the Skyraider again proved its usefulness flying ground attack support missions for the Navy and Air Force, and a new mission: Search and Rescue. Affectionately known as " Sandys," Skyraiders would fly to the location of a downed pilot and stay on site, laying down smoke, napalm, rockets and 20 mm fire to cover the rescue. Though the plane was never designed for air to air combat, Navy Skyraider pilots shot down two MiG-17 jet fighters, a further testament to its abilities.
Douglas manufactured a total of 3,810 Skyraiders in seven variations. The AD-5 was a multiple crew variant with significant modifications. The fuselage was lengthened and widened to accommodate side by side seating for pilot and co-pilot as well as a crew / equipment compartment aft of the pilots. The engine was moved 8 inches forward and the vertical tail area was increased almost 50%.
The AD-5 on display, Bureau No. 135152 was delivered to the United States Navy in 1955. It served with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Twelve (VAW 12) from November 1956 through December 1960. The next assignment was with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Eleven (VAW 11) from May 1961 through November 1962. It was retired from Navy Service in 1963. In 2008, the Cavanaugh Flight Museum added 135152 to its collection. The paint scheme is representative of AD-5s serving in the United States Navy.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE Wright R-3350-26W developing 3,020 h.p.
ARMAMENT 4 - 20MM Cannons & up to 8,000 lbs of ordnance
WING SPAN 50 feet
LENGTH 40 feet, 1 inch
HEIGHT 15 feet, 10 inches
MAX TAKEOFF WEIGHT 25,000 pounds
TOTAL BUILT 3,180
FIRST BUILT 1945
MUSEUM'S AIRCRAFT BUILT 1955
ON DISPLAY AT Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Addison Airport (KADS), Dallas, Texas
CRUISE SPEED 295 m.p.h.
RANGE W/ EXTERNAL TANKS 3,000 miles with external fuel
SERVICE CEILING 32,000 feet
Developed at a time when faster swept wing jet aircraft were becoming prominent, the piston engine straight winged Skyraider filled a vital niche for the United States Navy, Marines and Air Force.
Ed Heinemann of Douglas Aircraft Co. designed the Skyraider in response to a US Navy requirement for a single place carrier based long range dive-bomber / torpedo attack aircraft. The prototype Skyraider first flew on March 18, 1945. The first production AD-1, delivered in December 1946, went into service in Navy Fighter Squadron Nineteen (VA-19A).
The plane played an important role in the Korean War. Flown by Navy and Marine squadrons, the Skyraider was the backbone of close air support and ground attack operations. Its powerful Wright R-3350 radial engine and ample fuel load gave it a large combat radius, especially compared to jets of the period while its large straight wing and seven hardpoints per wing, gave it excellent low speed maneuverability plus the ability to carry a large amount of ordnance.
Years later, in the Vietnam War, the Skyraider again proved its usefulness flying ground attack support missions for the Navy and Air Force, and a new mission: Search and Rescue. Affectionately known as " Sandys," Skyraiders would fly to the location of a downed pilot and stay on site, laying down smoke, napalm, rockets and 20 mm fire to cover the rescue. Though the plane was never designed for air to air combat, Navy Skyraider pilots shot down two MiG-17 jet fighters, a further testament to its abilities.
Douglas manufactured a total of 3,810 Skyraiders in seven variations. The AD-5 was a multiple crew variant with significant modifications. The fuselage was lengthened and widened to accommodate side by side seating for pilot and co-pilot as well as a crew / equipment compartment aft of the pilots. The engine was moved 8 inches forward and the vertical tail area was increased almost 50%.
The AD-5 on display, Bureau No. 135152 was delivered to the United States Navy in 1955. It served with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Twelve (VAW 12) from November 1956 through December 1960. The next assignment was with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Eleven (VAW 11) from May 1961 through November 1962. It was retired from Navy Service in 1963. In 2008, the Cavanaugh Flight Museum added 135152 to its collection. The paint scheme is representative of AD-5s serving in the United States Navy.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE Wright R-3350-26W developing 3,020 h.p.
ARMAMENT 4 - 20MM Cannons & up to 8,000 lbs of ordnance
WING SPAN 50 feet
LENGTH 40 feet, 1 inch
HEIGHT 15 feet, 10 inches
MAX TAKEOFF WEIGHT 25,000 pounds
TOTAL BUILT 3,180
FIRST BUILT 1945
MUSEUM'S AIRCRAFT BUILT 1955
ON DISPLAY AT Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Addison Airport (KADS), Dallas, Texas
CRUISE SPEED 295 m.p.h.
RANGE W/ EXTERNAL TANKS 3,000 miles with external fuel
SERVICE CEILING 32,000 feet
Image size
1665x1521px 105.79 KB
Comments6
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Also claimed the first air-to-air gun kill of Vietnam.