AD Skyraider

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider or AD Skyraider was the last Bombardier of tactical support single-engined aircraft with Piston engine manufactured in the world. Indeed it left at the time of the first jet fighters began their career. It did not show its formidable capacities with the combat less of them.

Design

The Skyraider was conceived to replace SBD Dauntless at the conclusion of the end of the war, but it managed too late to take part in it. The project was imagined in 1944 but it was that in 1945 qu ' he was born. At the origin it was to name Dauntless II, but in February 1946, it took the denomination of Skyraider. Name AD-1 comes owing to the fact that it was the first plane of Attack the Douglas one. The AD-2 leaves in 1948 amending on the landing gear, in the cockpit and the reinforcement of the wings. In 1950 the AD-3 with new modifications appears, in particular on the propellers and in the cockpit. Then the version AD-4, it leaves is the most built version. Versions AD-5 in 1951 with more an interior big space allowing transport of troop in its compartment. Then the AD-6 came a version improved of precede model. And in the last the AD-7 which was built until 1958. 3180 Skyraider were built.

Alternatives

AD-1: first version of series production.

AD1Q: version equipped for against the measurement electronic ones (ECM) with the AD-1.

AD-2 : version which is different from the AD-1 by the reinforcement of the wing and the increase in the capacity of the reserve of 60 liters. The housing of train is also modified and becomes rectangular, the wheel not being more exposed when it is retracted. Following complaints coming from the pilots, the cockpit is altered. All these changes result in a profit from weight from 1225 kg so that the operating range is tiny room in spite of the 60 additional liters.

AD-2D : version of the AD-2 being used as Drone.

AD-2Q: version equipped with Countermeasure electronic.

AD 2QU: tug boat of targets.

AD-3 : version profiting from a new propeller and gear landing and the cockpit is still altered. All these changes add 450 more kg with the plane.

AD-3N : version of attack of night of the AD-3.

AD-3E : version of anti-submarine Fight of the AD-3.

AD-3Q : version equipped with electronic countermeasures of the AD-3.

AD 3QU: version tug boat of targets of the AD-3.

AD-3W : version radar of the AD-3.

AD-4 : It is the version which will be produced in greater number. Equipped with the new Wright engine, the R3350-26WA, more reliable and less greedy, the AD-4 receives a new armor-plated windshield and the Crosse of landing is reinforced. Just as for the AD-3, several alternatives transfer the day.

AD-4B : version able to deliver a nuclear armament.

AD-4L : AD-4 equipped with the system of de-icing.

AD-4N : version of attack of night with a crew made up of a pilot and two operators radar. For this alternative, the compartment radar replaces the air-brakes, the access is done by a door glazed of each with dimensions of the fuselage and a scoop located on the back of the apparatus ensures the ventilation of the equipment.

AD-4NA : during the War of Korea, the Navy required of Douglas to withdraw the equipment radar of 100 their AD-4N in order to increase the offensive load and the addition of two guns of 20 mm in the wings.

AD-4NL : AD-4N still modified with the addition of system of de-icing. 39 apparatuses were thus modified.

AD-4Q: version equipped with electronic countermeasures of the AD-4.

AD-4W : version of fight under marine of the AD-4.

AD-5 : The answer the Douglas one at the request of Navy for a plane of underwater fight advanced gave rise to the AD-5. Although based on the same apparatus, the AD-5 is very different. Initially, the fuselage east widens to be able to sit two pilots side by side, and is lengthened of 60 cm. The drift is increased of 50% on the other hand, the wings remain unchanged. Behind the pilots, a compartment of radar and two operators. The first flight of the AD-5 took place on August 17th, 1951. Navy seeing all the possibilities that offers the back compartment, of the transport of troop until the transport of wounded in order immediately 212 specimens.

AD-5N : version of attack of night of the AD-5.

AD-5Q : version equipped with countermeasure electronic of the AD-5.

AD-5W : version of fight under marine of the AD-5.

AD-6 : mix between the AD4-B and the AD-5. The reinforcements made on the AD-4 of the wings and the landing gear as ram them for the bombs and the additional tanks, one canopée releasable, the hydraulic raising of the Crosse of landing and the improvements of the cockpit of the AD-5 are found on the AD-6. This version of Skyraider had also a nuclear capacity. Later, at the time of the War of Vietnam, the AD-6 was equipped with a pod of against electronic measurements against the SAM northern Vietnamese and of additional armor-plates around the cockpit. No alternative was developed.

AD-7 : any last version of Skyraider, it is equipped with the R3350-26WB and the gear landing is still reinforced. The installation of Guns of 20mm in the hinged part of the wing having created a premature tiredness of the wing, this one was reinforced. The AD-7 just like the AD-6 could deliver an nuclear armament.

AEW-I : AD-4W used by English.

A-1D : Re-nomination of the AD-4NA in 1962. Version used by the Air force in Algeria. It could carry a great quantity of armament (3600 kg).

A-1E : Re-nomination of the AD-5 in 1962. Version multiplexing, at the origin plane of attack two-seater but quickly transformable for the attack of night. It can also be transformed into transport in 12 places, the ambulance with four stretchers, the cargo liner carrying 907 kg of freight, into photographic reconnaissance aircraft or used to the localization of objectives.

A-1G : Re-nomination of the AD-5N in 1962.

A-1H : Re-nomination of the AD-6 in 1962. Single-seat bomber of day.

A-1J : Re-nomination of the AD-7 in 1962. Version equipped with a more powerful engine and a structure reinforced for the attacks at low altitude and that it carried a surprising variety of loads, with the Vietnam these external loads went up to 6.350 kg.

EA-1E : Re-nomination of the AD-5W in 1962.

EA-1F : Re-nomination of the AD-5Q in 1962.

UE-1E : Re-nomination of the AD-5 in 1962 transformed into apparatus of constraint.

XBT2D-1 : nomination of the prototypes.

Engines

Wright R-3350-24W Cyclone: AD-1 (XBT2D-1), AD-1N (XBT2D-1N), AD1Q (XBT2D-1Q), XAD-1W.

Wright R-3350 Cyclone: AD-2, AD-2Q, AD-3, AD-3E, AD-3N, AD-3Q (AD 3QU), AD 3QU (AD-3Q), AD-3W, AD-5 (A-1E), AD-5N (A-1G), AD-5Q (EA-1F), AD-5W (EA-1E), AD-6 (A-1H).

Wright R-3350-26WA Cyclone: AD-4, AD-4B, AD-4L, AD-4N, AD-4NA (A-1D), AD-4NL, AD-4Q, AD-4W.

Wright R-3350-26WB Cyclone: AD-7 (A-1J).

The name between bracket is the name change of certain alternatives.

Armament

One can qualify Skyraider of genuine truck with bombs, the such quantity and the diversity of weapons to be carried is impressive. Its armament principal compound of 4 guns of 20 mm and an offensive load of 3.630 kg going up to 6350 kg in Vietnam conferred a broad panoply of weapons to him.

Its 15 hang external allowed to install there:

releasable Tanks of 38,5 gallons.

releasable tanks of 3000 ibs.

SUU-11 minigun of 7,62 mm with 1500 balls.

cans of Napalm.

packages with 25 cluster bombs CBU-25.

bombs with the Phosphorus AN-M47.

bombs of 2000 pounds.

bends of 250 pounds.

bends Mk-82.

tube Rocket launcher 2,75 inches.

pod of rocket launcher LAU-59/68 for 7 rockets with phosphorus.

pod of rockets 2.75inch

fused Smoke-producing CBU-22.

Engagements

Initially conceived to fly during the Second world war, it managed too late to take part in it. It taken service during the War of Korea as a hunter of trains. One also made use of it at the time of the War of Vietnam, his mission was for example to escort the H-3 " Jolly Green Griant" and their successors HH-53 " Super Jolly Green Griant " at the time of the rescue of the pilots parachuted right in the middle of the jungle. Their emotional nicknames being " Sandy" or " Zorro". It was to also send for " nettoyer" a zone, to locate then to destroy the enemy with all the weapons available. One also employed it during the Guerre of Algeria, in particular in the role of plane antiguérilla; within the framework of replacement of the old men North American T-6 Texan of the last World war. Part of French Skyraider were resold with the ex-colonies Frenchwoman which made of it use between the hands of mercenaries at the time of the many coups d'etat that knew in particular the African continent.

Country users

the the United States: - US Navy - USMC - USAF

France

the Vietnam of the South

the the United Kingdom

the Sweden

the Gabon

the Chad

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