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Douglas A-1 Skyraider

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Aircraft of the U.S. Navy

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Development

Entwicklung

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider is an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. The Skyraider had a remarkably long and successful career; it became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age.

The piston-engined Skyraider was designed during World War II to meet U.S. Navy requirements for a carrier-based, single-seat, long-range, high performance dive/torpedo bomber, to follow-on from earlier types such as the Curtiss SB2C- Helldiver and Grumman TBF- Avenger. Designed by Ed Heinemann of the Douglas Aircraft Company, prototypes were ordered on 6 July 1944 as the XBT2D-1. The XBT2D-1 made its first flight on 18 March 1945 and in April 1945, the USN began evaluation of the aircraft at the Naval Air Test Center (NATC).

In December 1946, after a designation change to AD-1, delivery of the first production aircraft to a fleet squadron was made to VA-19A. Used by the USN over Korea and Vietnam, the A-1 was a primary close air support aircraft for the USAF and VNAF during the Vietnam War. The A-1 was famous for being able to take hits and keep flying. There was added armor plating around the cockpit area for added pilot protection.

Die Douglas A-1 Skyraider ist ein amerikanisches Einsitzer-Kampfflugzeug, das zwischen Ende der 1940er und Anfang der 1980er Jahre in Dienst gestellt wurde. Die Skyraider hatte eine be-merkenswert lange und erfolgreiche Karriere; Sie wurde zu einem propellergetriebenen Anachronis-mus im Jet-Zeitalter.
Die mit Kolbenmotor betriebene Skyraider wurde während des Zweiten Weltkriegs entwickelt, um die Anforderungen der U.S. Navy für einen träger-gestützem Einsitzer- Langstrecken- Sturzkamf und Torpedobomber zu erfüllen, der die früheren Typen wie dem Curtiss SB2C- Helldiver folgte und Grumman TBF- Avenger ablösen sollte. Entworfen von Ed Heinemann von der Douglas Aircraft Company, wurden Prototypen am 6. Juli 1944 als XBT2D-1 bestellt. Die XBT2D-1 machte ihren ersten Flug am 18. März 1945 und im April 1945 begann die USN mit dem Testen der Flugzeuge im Naval Air Test Center (NATC).
Im Dezember 1946, nach einem Wechsel der Bezeichnung zu AD-1, wurde die Lieferung des ersten Serienflugzeugs an eine Staffel, der VA-19A vorgenommen. Die A-1, die von der USN über Korea und Vietnam eingesetzt wurde, war während des Vietnamkriegs ein Hauptflugzeug zur Unterstützung der Luftunterstützung für die USAF und VNAF. Die A-1 war berühmt dafür, Treffer zu bekommen und weiter fliegen zu können. Um den Cockpitbereich herum wurde eine Panzerung für zusätzlichen Pilotenschutz hinzugefügt.

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Variants

Versionen

  AD-1

The first production model, 242 built 

AD-1

Basisversion, 242 gebaut

AD-1Q

Two-seat electronic countermeasures version of the, 35 built.

AD-1Q

Zweisitzige Version zur elektroni-schen Kampfführung, 35 gebaut, 

AD-2

Improved model, powered by 2,700 hp Wright, 156 build

AD-2

Verbesserte Version mit R-3350-26W Motor mit 2.700 PS, 156 gebaut 

AD-2Q

Two-seat electronics countermeasures version, 21 built.

AD-2Q

Zweisitzige Version zur elektroni-schen Kampfführung, 21 gebaut

AD-2D

Designation for two remote-control aircraft.

AD-2D

Umbau von zwei AD-2 zu Drohnen-Lenkflugzeugen

AD-3

Stronger fuselage, improved landing gear, new canopy design, 125 built.

AD-3

Verstärkte Struktur, neue Kanzel, längeres Fahrwerk, 124 gebaut

AD-3N

Three-seat night attack version, 15 built.

AD-3N

Nachtangriffsflugzeuge, 15 gebaut

AD-3E

Anti-submarine warfare model, only two prototypes were built

AD-3E

Umbau von zwei AD-3N zur U-Boot-Jagd

AD-3S:

Modified for ASW with Aeroproducts propellor

AD-3S

Umbau von zwei AD-3N zur U-Boot-Suche

AD-3Q

Electronics countermeasures version, 23 built.

AD-3Q

ECM-Version, 23 gebaut,

AD-3W

Airborne early warning version, 31 built.

AD-3W

Frühwarn-Flugzeug mit APS-20 Radar unter dem Rumpf, 31 gebaut

AD-4

Strengthened landing gear, improved radar, four 20 mm cannon . 372 built.

AD-4

Verbesserte Version mit verstärktem Fahrwerk und 4 20 mm Kanonen,  372 gebaut

AD-4N

Three-seat night attack version. 307 built.

AD-4N

 Nachtangriffsflugzeuge, 307 gebaut

AD-4B

Specialized version designed to carry nuclear weapons, also armed with four 20 mm cannon. 165 built plus 28 conversions.

AD-4B

Vorrichtung zum Abwurf taktischer Atombomben, vier 20-mm-Kanonen, 165 gebaut und 28umgebaute Maschinen.

AD-4L

Equipped for winter operations in Korea, 63 conversions.

AD-4L

Umbau von 63 AD-4 mit spezieller Winter-Ausrüstung

AD-4Q

Two-seat electronic countermeasures version,  39 built.

AD-4Q

Zweisitzige Version zur elektronischen Kampfführung, 39 gebaut

AD-4NL

AD-4N Equipped for winter operations 36 conversions.

AD-4NL

AD-4N mit Winter-Ausrüstung, 36 umgebaut

AD-4W

Three-seat airborne early warning version, 168 built.

AD-4W

Dreisitziges Frühwarn-Flugzeug, 168 gebaut, 

AD-4NA
A-1D

AD-4Ns without their night-attack equipment, but fitted with four 20 mm cannon, 100 build

AD-4NA
A-1D

AD-4N mit ausgebauter Nachtflug-Einrichtung, aber mit 4 20 mm Kanonen, 100 Umbauten

AD-5
A-1E 

Side by side seating for pilot and co-pilot, without dive brakes, 212 built.

AD-5
A-1E 

verbreiterte Version mit zwei Piloten nebeneinander, ohne Luftbremsen 212 gebaut

AD-5N
A-1G

Viersitziges Nachtangriffsflugzeuge mit Radar, 239 gebaut

AD-5N
A-1G

Four-seat night attack version, with radar countermeasures, 239 built.

UA-1E

Utility version of the AD-5

UA-1E

 Zieldarstellungsflugzeuge

AD-5Q
EA-1F 

Electronics countermeasures version, 54 conversions.

AD-5Q
EA-1F 

ECM-Version, 54 Umbauten aus AD-5N

AD-5W
EA-1E

Three-seat airborne early warning version, 218 build

AD-5W
EA-1E

Dreisitziges Frühwarn-Flugzeug, 218 gebaut 

AD-5S

One prototype to test  anti-submarine equipment.

AD-5S

Ein Umbau aus AD-5N als  U-Boot-Jäger

AD-6
A-1H

Single-seat attack aircraft, 713 built.

AD-6
A-1H

Einsitziges Kampfflugzeug, 713 gebaut

AD-7
A-1H

The final production model, powered by a R3350-26WB engine, with structural improvements, 72 built.

AD-7
A-1H

Strukturell verstärkte AD-6, R-3350-26W-Motor, 72 gebaut

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Operational history

Einsatzgeschichte

 

O

G

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Drawings

Zeichnungen

Attack Squadrons

 

 

 

  VA-1L (1948) VA-1B later VA-24 (1947) VA-2B later VA-65 (1947)
 

 

 

  VA-3B later VA-44 (1947) VA-3B later VA-44 (1948) VA-4B later VA-45 (1947)
 

 

 

  VA-4B later VA-45 (1947) VA-5B later VS-24 (1948) VA-6B later VA-25 (1948)
 

 

 

  VA-15 (1949) VA-15(1951) VA-15(1952)
 

 

 

  VA-15(1953) VA-15 (1954) VA-15 (1955)
 

 

 

  VA-15 (1956) VA-15 (1957) VA-15 (1957)
 

 

 

  VA-15 (1959) VA-15 (1960) VA-15 (1961)
 

 

 

  VA-15 (1962) VA-15 (1963) VA-15 (1964)
 

 

 

  VA-16 (1956) VA-16 (1957) VA-16 (1958)
 

 

 

  VA-19A later VA-194 (1948) VA-20A later VA-195 (1948) VA-25 later VA-65 (1948)
 

 

 

  VA-25 later VA-65 (1948) VA-25 later VA-65 (1949) VA-25 later VA-65 (1951)
 

 

 

  VA-25 later VA-65 (1952) VA-25 later VA-65 (1954) VA-25 later VA-65 (1955)
 

 

 

  VA-25 later VA-65 (1956) VA-25 later VA-65 (1958) VA-25 later VA-65 (1959)
 

 

 

  VA-25 (1960) VA-25 (1961) VA-25 (1962)
 

 

 

  VA-25 (1964) VA-25 (1965) VA-25 (1966)
 

 

 

  VA-25 (1967) VA-34 later VA-35 (1949) VA-35 (1949)
 

 

 

  VA-35 (1950) VA-35 (1951) VA-35 (1951)
 

 

 

  VA-35 (1953) VA-35 (1955) VA-35 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-35 (1958) VA-35 (1960) VA-35 (1962)
 

 

 

  VA-35 (1962) VA-35 (1963) VA-35 (1964)
 

 

 

  VA-42(1954) VA-42 (1956) VA-42 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-42 (1957) VA-42 (1958) VA-42 (1959)
 

 

 

  VA-42 (1960) VA-42 (1962) VA-44 (1950)
 

 

 

  VA-44 (1962) VA-45 (1950) VA-45 (1951)
 

 

 

  VA-45 (1952) VA-45 (1953) VA-45 (1955)
 

 

 

  VA-45 (1956) VA-45 (1957) VA-45 (1963)
 

 

 

  VA-45 (1964) VA-45 (1965) VA-52 (1959)
 

 

 

  VA-52 (1960) VA-52 (1961) VA-52 (1962)
 

 

 

  VA-52 (1963) VA-52 (1964) VA-52 (1965)
 

 

 

  VA-52 (1967) VA-52 (1967) VA-52 (1967)
 

 

 

  VA-54 (1949) VA-54 (1957) VA-55(1950)
 

 

 

  VA-55 (1951) VA-55 (1952) VA-55 (1954)
 

 

 

  VA-55 (1955) VA-55 (1957) VA-64 later VS-24 (1949)
 

 

 

  VA-65 later VA-25 (1949) VA-65 later VA-25 (1950) VA-65 later VA-25 (1951)
 

 

 

  VA-65 later VA-25 (1951) VA-65 later VA-25 (1952) VA-65 later VA-25 (1953)
 

 

 

  VA-65 later VA-25 (1954) VA-65 later VA-25 (1955) VA-65 later VA-25 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-65 later VA-25 (1956) VA-65 later VA-25 (1959) VA-65 (1960)
 

 

 

  VA-65 (1961) VA-65 (1962) VA-65 (1962)
 

 

 

  VA-65 (1963) VA-65 (1964) VA-75 (1949)
 

 

 

  VA-75 (1950) VA-75 (1952) VA-75 (1953)
 

 

 

  VA-75 (1955) VA-75 (1957) VA-75 (1959)
 

 

 

  VA-75 (1960) VA-75 (1961) VA-75 (1962)
 

 

 

  VA-85 (1953) VA-85 (1954) VA-85 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-85 (1956) VA-85 (1957) VA-85 (1960)
 

 

 

?
  VA-85 (1961) VA-85 (1962) VA-94 (1948)
 

 

 

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  VA-95 (1948) VA-95 (1953) VA-95 (1954)
 

 

 

  VA-95 (1956) VA-95 (1956) VA-95 (1957)
 

 

 

  VA-95 (1960) VA-95 (1961) VA-95 (1963)
 

 

 

  VA-95 (1965) VA-96 (1958) VA-104 (1954)
 

 

 

  VA-104 (1955) VA-104 (1956) VA-104 (1958)
 

 

 

  VA-104 (1959) VA-105 (1953) VA-105 (1953)
 

 

 

  VA-105 (1955) VA-105 (1957) VA-105 (1955)
 

 

 

  VA-105 (1955) VA-114 (1948) VA-115 (1948)
 

 

 

? ?
  VA-115 (1950) VA-115 (1951) VA-115 (1952)
 

 

 

?
  VA-115 (1953) VA-115 (1955) VA-115 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-115 (1957) VA-115 (1959) VA-115 (1960)
 

 

 

  VA-115 (1961) VA-115 (1962) VA-115 (1963)
 

 

 

  VA-115 (1965) VA-115 (1967) VA-122 (1959)
 

 

 

  VA-122 (1960) VA-122 (1963) VA-122 (1965)
 

 

 

  VA-122 (1968) VA-125 (1954) VA-125 (1955)
 

 

 

  VA-125 (1956) VA-125 (1957) VA-125 (1958)
 

 

 

  VA-125 (1960) VA-125 (1965) VA-125 (1969)
 

 

 

  VA-135 (1962) VA-145 (1954) VA-145 (1955)
 

 

 

  VA-145 (1957) VA-145 (1958) VA-145 (1958)
 

 

 

  VA-145 (1959) VA-145 (1960) VA-145 (1962)
 

 

 

  VA-145 (1963) VA-145 (1964) VA-145 (1965)
 

 

 

? ?
  VA-145 (1967) VA-152 (1960) VA-152 (1961)
 

 

 

  VA-152 (1961) VA-152 (1963) VA-152 (1965)
 

 

 

  VA-152 (1966) VA-152 (1967) VA-154 (1949)
 

 

 

  VA-155 (1949) VA-155 (1955) VA-155 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-155 (1958) VA-165 (1960) VA-165 (1962)
 

 

 

  VA-165 (1960) VA-165 (1964) VA-165 (1966)
 

 

 

  VA-174 (1949) VA-175 (1949) VA-175 (1950)
 

 

 

  VA-175 (1952) VA-175 (1953) VA-175 (1955)
 

 

 

  VA-175 (1956) VA-175 (1958) VA-176 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-176 (1957) VA-176 (1958) VA-176 (1959)
 

 

 

  VA-176 (1960) VA-176 (1961) VA-176 (1962)
 

 

 

  VA-176 (1964) VA-176 (1965) VA-176 (1966)
 

 

 

  VA-176 (1967) VA-195 (1950) VA-195 (1951)
 

 

 

  VA-195 (1952) VA-195 (1954) VA-195 (1955)
 

 

 

  VA-195 (1956) VA-195 (1957) VA-195 (1958)
 

 

 

  VA-196 (1956) VA-196 (1956) VA-196 (1958)
 

 

 

  VA-196 (1960) VA-196 (1961) VA-196 (1963)
 

 

 

  VA-196 (1964) VA-196 (1966) VA-215 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-215 (1958) VA-215 (1959) VA-215 (1960)
 

 

 

  VA-215 (1962) VA-215 (1963) VA-215 (1964)
 

 

 

  VA-215 (1965) VA-215 (1967) VA-216 (1956)
 

 

 

  VA-216 (1956) VA-216 (1957) VA-216 (1958)
 

 

 

  VA-702 later VA-145 (1951) VA-702 later VA-145 (1952) VA-728 later VA-155 (1951)
 

 

 

  VA-728 later VA-155 (1951) VA-859 later VA-85 (1952) VA-923 later VA-125 (1951)
 

 

 

   
  VA-923 later VA-125 (1952)    

All Weather Attack Squadrons

 

 

 

  VA(AW)-33 later VAQ-33 (1957) VA(AW)-33 later VAQ-33 (1957) VA(AW)-33 later VAQ-33 (1958)
 

 

 

  VA(AW)-33 later VAQ-33 (1958) VA(AW)-33 later VAQ-33 (1958) VA(AW)-35 Det.G (1957)
 

 

 

 
  VA(AW)-35 Det.K (1959) VA(AW)-35 Det.L (1959)
 

Composite Squadrons

 

 

 

?
  VC-3 (1951) VC-4 later VF-(AW)-4 (1949) VC-4 later VF-(AW)-4 (1950)
 

 

 

  VC-11 later VAW-11 (1955) VC-11 Det.D later VAW-11 (1956) VC-11 later VAW-11(1956)
 

 

 

  VC-12 Det 6 later VAW-12 (1951) VC-12 later VAW-12 (1951) VC-12 Det 36 later VAW-12 (1954)
 

 

 

  VC-12 later VAW-12 (1956) VC-33 Det-6 later VAQ-33 (1951) VC-33 later VAQ-33 (1951)
 

 

 

  VC-33 Det-36 later VAQ-33 (1954) VC-33 later VAQ-33 (1954) VC-33 later VAQ-33 (1955)
 

 

 

  VC-33 later VAQ-33 (1956) VC-35 later VA-122 (1949) VC-35 Det J later VA-122 (1956)
 

 

 

   
  VC-35 Det K later VA-122 (1956)    
 

Fighter Squadrons

 

 

 

  VF-54 later VA-54 (1951) VF-54 later VA-54 (1953) VF-54 later VA-54 (1954)
 

 

 

  VF-54 later VA-54 (1956) VF-92 (1955) VF-92 (1956)
 

 

 

  VF-194 later VA-196 (1950) VF-194 later VA-196 (1951) VF-194 later VA-196 (1953
 

 

 

 
  VF-194 later VA-196 (1954)  

All Weather Fighter Squadrons

 

 

 

 
  VF(AW)-4 (1956) VF(AW)-4 (1957)  
 

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadrons

 

 

 

  VAW-11 Det.C  (1957) VAW-11 Det.G  (1957) VAW-11 Det.D  (1957)
 

 

 

  VAW-11 Det.L  (1959) VAW-11  (1964) VAW-12 Det.36 (1956)
 

 

 

  VAW-12 Det.33 (1956) VAW-12 (1958) VAW-12 (1958)
 

 

 

  VAW-12 (1959) VAW-12 (1960) VAW-12 (1960)
 

 

 

  VAW-12 (1961) VAW-13 Det.M (1960) VAW-13 Det.D (1966)
 

 

 

  VAW-13 Det.43 (1967) VAW-13 Det.63 (1968) VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1960)
 

 

 

  VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1961) VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1961) VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1962)
 

 

 

  VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1963) VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1964) VAW-33 Det .39 later VAQ-33 (1964)
 

 

 

  VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1964) VAW-33 Det .11 later VAQ-33 (1964) VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1965)
 

 

 

 
  VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1965) VAW-33 later VAQ-33 (1967)  

Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons

 

 

 

  VAQ-33 (1968) VAQ-33 Det.14 (1968) VAQ-33 Det.67 (1969)
 

 

 

   
  VAQ-33 Det.11 (1969)    

Test and Evaluation Squadrons

 

 

 

  VX-1 (1949) VX-1 (1950) VX-1 (1950)
 

 

 

  VX-1 (1954) VX-3 (1958) VX-5 (1956)
 

 

 

   
  VX-5 (1958)    

Utillity Squadrons

 

 

 

  VU-1 (1962) VU-4 (1958) VU-5 (1963)

Training  Squadrons

 

 

 

?  
  ATU-301 (1952) VT-30  

Naval Reserve Squadrons

 

 

 

  NARW-72 (1956) NARW-73 (1955) NARW-73 (1958)
 

 

 

   
  NARW-89 (1962)    

Misc Units

 

 

 

  CAG-1 (1951) CAG-8 (1951) CAG-15 (VC-150) (1949)
 

 

 

  CAG-17 (1950) CAG-19 (VC-190) (1949) NAS Dahlgren (1965)
 

 

 

   
  USS Forrestal (1957)    
.
Specifications

A-1J

Wingspan

Spannweite

15.25 m

Length

Länge

11.84 m

Height

Höhe

4.78 m

Wing area

Flügelfläche

37.19 m²

Engine

Motor

1× Wright R-3350-26WA radial engine, 2,700 hp

Maximum speed

Höchstgeschwindigkeit

518 km/h

Empty weight

Leergewicht

5,429 kg

Loaded weight

Startgewicht

11,340 kg

Climb Rate

Steigrate

14.5 m/s

Service ceiling

Gipfelhöhe

8,685 m

Range

Reichweite

2,115 km

Armament

Bewaffnung

4 x 20 mm cannons
 3,600 kg of Bombes
.
Serial, Douglas AD- Skyraider

AD-1

09110 - 09351

42

AD-1Q 09352 - 09386 35

AD-1

09387 - 09392

(0)

AD-2 122210 - 122365 56
AD-2Q 122366 - 122372 7
AD-2QU 122373 1
AD-2Q 122374 - 122387 14
AD-3 122729 -122853 125
AD-3Q 122854 - 122876 23
AD-3W 122877 - 122907 31
AD-3N 122908 - 122922 14
AD-4 123771 - 124006  236

AD-4

124007 - 124036

(30)

AD-4Q 124037 - 124075 39
AD-4W 124076 - 124127 52
AD-4N 124128 - 124156  29
AD-4N 124725 - 124760  36
AD-4W 124761 - 124777 17
AD-4N 125707 - 125764 58
AD-4W 125765 - 125782 18
AD-4W 126836 - 126875 40
AD-4N 126876 - 127018  143
AD-4 127844 - 127879 36
AD-4N  127880 - 127920 41
AD-4W 127921 - 127961 41
AD-4 128917 - 129016 100
AD-4B 132227 - 132391 165
AD-5 132392 - 132476 75
AD-5N 132477 1
AD-5 132478 1
AD-5S 132479 1
AD-5N 132480 - 122636 117
AD-5W 132729 - 132792 64
AD-5W 133757 - 133776 20
AD-5 133854 - 133929 66
AD-6 134466 - 134637 170
AD-5N 134974 - 135054 81
AD-5N 135055 - 135138 84
AD-5W 135139 - 135222 84
AD-6 135223 - 135406 174
AD-6 137492- 137632 141
AD-6 139606 - 139821 215
AD-7 142010 - 142081 72

Total

2735


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