- The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was designed for the United States Navy at the end of World War II.
- A piston-engined, propeller plane, the A-1 held a unique position even when the United States adopted jets.
- When the A-1 left U.S. service in the 1970s, about 30 variants were in service with various missions.
On August 5, 1964, US Navy aircraft began US air operations in the Vietnam War, launching from the carriers USS Ticonderoga and USS Constellation to attack targets in North Vietnam.
The naval attack formation consisted of two aircraft. Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Service started 8 years ago Douglas A-1 Skyraider, piston engine propeller plane. Originally intended for World War II service, his A-1 first flew when the Allies closed in on Nazi Germany, but did not enter service until 1946. I did.
Even when the world’s major militaries adopted jets, the Skyraider held its own. It remained in combat well into the 1970s, cementing it as one of the greatest attack aircraft of all time.
development
Prototype of the 1946 or 1947 Douglas XBT2D-1 Skyraider.
NASA
Development of what would become the A-1 Skyraider began in 1942 when the Douglas Aircraft Company was competing to produce a torpedo and dive bomber replacement for the Navy’s venerable Grumman TBF Avenger and Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. rice field.
The Navy needed a single-seat carrier that could travel farther and carry more weapons for use against Japanese forces. Douglas’ first entry was BTD Destroyersuffered after design requirements changed during development and was a clear loser compared to its competitors. Martin AM-1 Maurer.
At a meeting with Navy officials in 1944, Douglas chief engineer Ed Heinemann was cleared to cancel the original design and present a new one.That night he and his two other Douglas engineers I made a blueprint For a new plane in a hotel room. Their design was approved the next day, provided that the first test flight would take place within nine months.
1950s US Marine Corps Douglas AD-5 Skyraider.
US Navy
[OnMarch181945justonedayafterthedeadlinetheaircraftthencalledtheXBT2DmadeitsmaidenflightDespitetheshortdevelopmentperioditwasanimmediatesuccessandoutperformedallcompetitors[1945年3月18日、締め切りのわずか1日後に、当時XBT2Dと呼ばれていた航空機が初飛行を行いました。開発期間が短かったにもかかわらず、すぐに成功し、すべての競合他社を凌駕しました。
Powered by a single Wright R-3350 Duplex Cyclone engine, the same model used on the B-29 Superfortress, the XBT2D could fly at 300 mph and had a ceiling of over 24,000 feet. It is armed with four 20mm cannons and has 15 hardpoints capable of carrying 8,000 lbs of bombs, more than the B-17 bomber.
On May 5, the Navy announced plans to purchase 548 aircraft, but by then the war had ended. Germany surrendered on her 7 May, and he only delivered three by the time Japan surrendered on her 15 August.
Skyraider
In December 1964, an A-1 Skyraider drops a 500-pound bomb on a Viet Cong position.
AP Photo/Horst Firth
Large wartime orders for the XBT2D were canceled as the Navy began investing in jets. However, the plane continued to impress Navy pilots, and in 1947 the Navy ordered 239 of his (now called the “AD Skyraider”) in three of his variations.
The decision was wise, as the Skyraider proved to be an excellent ground attack aircraft in the Korean War years later. Navy and Marine Corps Skyraiders were tasked with attacking stations, bridges, dams and power plants as part of the Navy’s effort to blockade North Korea.
Flying from an aircraft carrier off the coast of South Korea, the Skyraider could stay on base for hours at a time, firing 8,000-pound bombs with precision, and shooting copious amounts of fire thanks to its armor plating. They also provided invaluable support for ground operations.
A US Navy A-1H Skyraider aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger in 1966.
US Navy
The Skyraider performed so well that the Navy purchased more, including new variations to carry out more missions. In 1962, the Skyraider was renamed “A-1”. The U.S. Air Force and the South Vietnamese Air Force also began using the aircraft in the same year.
In addition to traditional bombing missions, the Skyraider played a role in counterinsurgency operations, excelling due to its long loitering time, large payload, ability to operate in nearly all weather conditions, and ability to withstand intense anti-aircraft fire.
A Navy Skyraider pilot was even able to shoot down a MiG-17 fighter twice.of beginning, arrived on 20 June 1965 during a relief combat air patrol over North Vietnam, the first air-to-air gun victory of the war.of number two Arrived on 9 October 1966 during a similar mission.
US Air Force pilots quickly fell in love with the Skyraider.Their variant, twin seat A-1Eprovides the essential air cover search and rescue mission For downed pilots.By the end of the war, the Air Force Skyraider implementation Over 90,000 combat sorties, including over 1,000 per month during peak combat.
heritage
An A-1H Skyraider escorts a US Air Force HC-130P as it refuels an HH-53C helicopter over Southeast Asia, September 1970.
US Air Force/Sgt.Andy Saracon
By the time production ended in 1957, 3,180 Skyraiders had been built and delivered. During the Korean War, 128 Skyraiders were lost to enemy action and other causes. Vietnam lost 266 Skyraiders, 65 Navy and 201 Air Force.
The Navy continued to fly the Skyraider until 1968, when the plane was retired and A-6 IntruderThe Air Force’s last Skyraider mission was November 7, 1972, and all remaining Skyraiders were transferred to the South Vietnam Air Force in 1973.
Other Air Forces continued to use the Skyraider into the 1980s.
A US Navy A-1H Skyraider prepares for duty on the aircraft carrier USS Midway, October 1965.
US Navy
When the aircraft left U.S. service, about 30 Skyraider variants were in service in a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, night combat, rescue escort, electronic warfare, and medical transport.
The Skyraider was also designated as a delivery system for the Navy’s stockpile of air-dropped nuclear bombs. Other weapons were less lethal, but still notable: the Skyraider took off from her USS Midway in 1965. in a broken toilet Dropped over South Vietnam, it is said to have dropped 6 million pounds of weapons.
An anachronism in the air, the Skyraider earned the reputation of being the best of all fighter planes. Jet his pilot didn’t make fun of his propeller-bound colleague, but if “Sandy” pilot (known as Air Force Skyraider his Flyer) stepped into the bar, “he will have a hard time paying for their drinks.” according to F-105 Thunderchief pilot.