DOUGLAS A 1H SKYRAIDER

History

History of Skyraider began in an unusual way, in 1944. US Navy had announced a competition for a new attack plane substituing the old Dauntless and the first project presented by Douglas under the name BTD, has already been rejected. The staff of technicians of the Douglas had to review the all project in the course of only one night, not to loose such an opportunity.That's the birth of the Destroyer II, then renamed Skyraider.
In april, 1945 was consigned to Flight Evaluation Division of U.S. Navy and in may of the same year there was an order for 548 planes, the reduced to 377.
The first mass production version was AD-1 was consigned in 1946 and from 1947 the Skyraider took officially service vith the VA-19 squadron.
In 1950 the Korean conflict was the first severe test for this plane.
During the war the Skyraider was engaged in many support and attack missions, reaching notable success.In the meantime development of various version continued: AD-2,3,4,5 (this last one with enlarged cabin and structural alterations), AD-6 and AD-7.
Many other "under versions" were equipped for antisubmarine fight, radar control, electronic countermeasures and troop transport!.
The skyraider was used by France in Algeria. Then the strong Douglas plane was adopted by both U.S. Navy and U.S. South Vietnam Air Forces in Vietnam.
This conflict constituted its swan-song.It was called "Spad" by Navy and "Sandy" by U.S.A.F., whose Skyraiders took many times part in one of the most dangerous task: the convoy to Rescue Helicopters for pilot downed in the enemy territory.

Technical description

Type: Attack light bomber aircraft.

Specifications:

Lenght:		11.84 m  38 ft 11 in
height:		4.77 m	 15 ft 8 in
wingspan:	15.24 m  50 ft
wingarea:	37.19 m2 400.33 sq/ft
empty weight:	5427 kg 11968 lbs
gross weight:	8211 kg 18106 lbs
max weight:	11337 kg 25000 lbs

Propulsion:

N° 1 Wright R-3350-26WA
Power:	2700 hp

Performance:

Range:		2119 km	1316 mls
cruise speed:	318 km/h 198 mph
max speed:	518 km/h  322 mph
climb:		868.64 m/min	2850 ft/min
ceiling:	8686.4 m 2850 ft/min

About the author:

Internet Email: mitaccol@tin.it
Home address:
		Massimo Taccoli
		via Nicola Stame 179
		00128 ROMA
		Italy

Copyright:

This package is FREEWARE and may be freely copied and distribuited as long as no charges are made for the distribution.
Selling of package or part of it is not allowed without written permission of author.
I am absolutely not responsible should any damage occur to your system or software for the use of this package.
Massimo Taccoli