Warplanes of the USA: Douglas A-1 Skyraider

‍Douglas A-1 Skyraider

(NMNA Photo)

Douglas AD-4NA Skyraider (BuNos. 126986 and 127002) of Attack Squadron VA-822, U.S. Naval Air Reserve Unit Louisiana.  They were flying near Pecan Island in the Gulf of Mexico to drop fuel and cannon fire on a blowout gas well in an attempt to set it afire as a hazard to shipping.  The pilots were LCDR Joel Morris, USNR, Commanding Officer of VA-822 and LCDR Harold Wheelahan, ca 1950s.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy AD-5Q Skyraider aircraft (BuNo 132618) from Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-33 Det.41 Night Nawks in flight. VAW-33 Det.41 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62) in the early 1960s. The AD-5Q 132618 later crashed into sea about 8 km aft of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) on 12 June 1964. All three crew members were rescued safely.

The piston-engined, propeller-driven Skyraider was designed during the Second World War to meet United States Navy requirements for a carrier-based, single-seat, long-range, high performance dive/torpedo bomber, to follow on from earlier aircraft such as the Douglas SBD Dauntless, the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver and the Grumman TBF Avenger.

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider (formerly designated AD before the 1962 unification of Navy and Air Force designations) is an American single-seat attack aircraft in service from 1946 to the early 1980s, which served during the Korean War and Vietnam War. The Skyraider had an unusually long career, remaining in frontline service well into the Jet Age (when most piston-engine attack or fighter aircraft were replaced by jet aircraft); thus becoming known by some as an "anachronism". The aircraft was nicknamed "Spad", after the French First World War fighter. It was operated by the United States Navy (USN), the United States Marine Corps (USMC), and the United States Air Force (USAF), and also saw service with the Royal Navy in the UK, the French Air Force, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF), and others. It remained in U.S. service until the early 1970s. (Wikipedia)

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(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-4 Skyraider of attack squadron VA-195 Dambusters taking off the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37) during the Korean War. VA-195 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 19 (CVG-19) and made two deployments to Korea aboard the Princeton, from 9 November 1950 to 29 May 1951, and from 21 March to 3 November 1952.

(USN Photo)

Douglas AD-6 Skyraider of attack squadron VA-152 Friendlies on the portside elevator on board the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) during the ship's Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) off Hawaii, 20 December 1961. VA-152 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 15 (CVG-15) aboard the Coral Sea for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 12 December 1961 to 17 July 1962. This AD-6 (A-1H) was later passed on to the South Vietnamese Air Force. Note the landing mirror in the background. U.S. carriers originally operated two landing mirrors on both sides of the flight deck.

(Mark Wagner Photo, 2006)

(Clemens Vasters Photo)

Douglas AD-4NA Skyraider (BuNo. 126965), "The Proud American", Heritage Flight Museum, Skagit Regional Airport, Burlington, Washington, 1 Sep 2012.

126965 served with the US Navy aboard the USS Kearsarge with VA-115 off the coast of Korea  in 1953. The cease-fire was called before it saw combat action; however, the aircraft of VA-115 conducted DMZ patrols for the duration of the cruise. When it returned stateside it was stationed with FASRON 8 at Alameda before transitioning to FAETULANT in Norfolk, VA from November 1954 until August 1955. She ultimately entered storage at Litchfield Park in August 1957. She was stricken from the Navy list in July 1958, and left storage for France in March 1960.

While serving with the French l’Armee de l’Air, 126865 was based at Chateaudun but served in Algeria in 1962, Djibouti in 1968, Madagascar in 1971, and Chad in 1976. It went into storage with Sogerma in September 1979 where it remained until 1983. The Musee de l’Air at Le Buurget acquired the aircraft in 1984, and sold it to a private owner in Belgium in 1985. 126965 was purchased by the Heritage Flight Museum in February 2004 and brought to Bellingham from Belgium.

Because of HFM’s USAF background, and because the Skyraider was used with great success by the Navy and the Air Force, 126965 is painted in typical USAF colours and referred to by it’s USAF designation of A-1.

(USAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1H Skyraider (Serial No. 52-139738), "The Proud American", of the 1st Special Operations Squadron in flight during a rescue mission, c1972. It was lost on 28 Septermber 1972 during a strike mission in Laos. The pilot ejected and was rescued.

(USN Photo)

The first U.S. Navy Douglas AD-2 Skyraider (BuNo 122210) at the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland, 7 May 1948.

(USN Photo)

Fourteen U.S. Navy Douglas AD-2 Skyraiders of Attack Squadron VA-114 in flight over Naval Air Station North Island, California (USA), in 1949. VA-114 had been established as Bombing Squadron VB-11 on 10 October 1942 and was first land-based on Guadalcanal in 1942-43. In 1944-45 it served on the USS Hornet (CV-12), after the Second World War its parent Carrier Air Group 11 (CVG-11) was assigned to the USS Valley Forge (CV-45). The unit received the AD-2 in December 1948 but was already disestablished on 1 December 1949. Note: The Naval Aviation News identifies the squadron as VA-115, but VA-114 had the tail code "V-4XX", VA-115 had "V-5XX".

(NASA Photo)

Douglas XBT2D-1 (Bu. No. 09086) Skyraider prototype.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Douglas AD-1 from USS Boxer, NAS Alameda, June 1947.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Douglas AD-1 Skyraider over Marina SF 6-2-47.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-2 Skyraider attack plane (BuNo. 122330) in flight carrying one Mark XIII torpedo, two bombs, and rockets, in September 1950. This plane is assigned to the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Douglas AD-1 Skyraider, NAS Alameda.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

AD-1 from VA-20A, and an F8F-1 from VF-20A, from the USS Boxer (CV-21) flying over the Golden Gate Bridge in June 1947.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1 Skyraider (BuNo 09283) from Attack Squadron 64 (VA-64) is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVB-34) on 14 September 1948. The squadron became an anti-submarine squadron and was re-designated Composite Squadron 24 (VC-24) "Duty Cats" on 8 April 1949.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1 Skyraider in flight, circa in 1946. It is armed with two Tiny Tim rockets and twelve HVAR rockets. 'Original description:The “Skyraider” (AD) is the U.S. Navy’s first line carrier attack plane and packs and an armament wallop comparable to finding a broadside from a U.S. Navy destroyer. In addition to two 20mm guns, the plane my carry three 2,000 pound bombs and full dozen 6-inch rockets.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1 Skyraider of Attack Squadron 6B (VA-6B) launching from the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVB-43). VA-6B was assigned to Carrier Air Group 5 (CVBG-5) aboard the Coral Sea for her shakedown cruise in the Atlantic Ocean from 19 January to 5 April 1948.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1 Skyraider of Attack Squadron 6B (VA-6B) (un-)folding its wings aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVB-43). VA-6B was assigned to Carrier Air Group 5 (CVBG-5) aboard the Coral Sea for her shakedown cruise in the Atlantic Ocean from 19 January to 5 April 1948.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1Q Skyraider electronic countermeasures aircraft (BuNo. 09386) of composite squadron VC-35 Night Hecklers, c1950.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps Douglas AD-5 (BuNo. 1338?5) of Marine attack squadron VMA-331 Bumblebees. VMA-331 was operating from the aircraft carrier USS Leyte (CVS-32), ca mid-1950s.

(USN Photo)

Douglas AD Skyraider aircraft of Carrier Air Group One (CVG-1) on the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) during the NATO "Operation Strikeback", some time between August and October 1957. The first seven planes are AD-6 of Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15) "Valions" (tail code AB-4XX). The next plane and the last three are AD-5Q of Attack Squadron (All-Weather) 33 (VA(AW)-33) DET.42 "Night Hawks" (GD-8XX). The fouth plane from the bow is an AD-5W from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12 (VAW-12) DET.42 "Bats"(GE-7XX). In the foreground is an Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior of Heavy Attack Squadron 1 (VAH-1) "Smokin' Tigers".

(USN Photo)

Douglas A-1H Skyraider (BuNo 139799) from Attack Squadron 122 (VA-122) "Spad School" landing. This aircraft was later transferred to the U.S. Air Force as 52-139799. It served with the 22nd Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, and was hit by ground fire west of Ban Sephan, Khammouan Province, Laos, on 22 January 1970. The pilot headed back to Nakhon Phanom but the aircraft crashed 30 km north-west of the air base. The pilot was rescued by a USAF helicopter.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-5W Skyraider (BuNo. 132751) of Airborne Early Warning squadron VAW-11 Det.J Early Eleven on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CVA-33) in the western Pacific. VAW-11 Det.J was assigned to Air Task Group 3 (ATG-3) aboard the Kearsarge for a deployment to the western Pacific from 9 August 1957 to 2 April 1958.

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Navy Douglas A-1H Skyraider (BuNos 134472, 135232, 137602, 139689) of Attack Squadron VA-122 Spad School in flight formation. 134472 was later passed on to the South Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) and is today on display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum. 137602 is on display at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California (USA), marked as 135300. 139689 also went to the VNAF and was probably lost.

(USN Photo)

Douglas A-1H/AD-6 Skyraider (BuNo. 1353812), VA-35, No. 406.

(Photographer's Mate First Class Wilcox, USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-5 Skyraider (BuNo. 134976) from Attack Squadron 85 (VA-85) taxies forward after landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) on 20 April 1956.  Note the squadron insignia under the cockpit . VA-85 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the Intrepid for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 12 March to 5 September 1956.

(USN Photo)

Douglas AD-5 Skyraider (BuNo. 133878) of utility squadron VU-1 used for target towing on the ground at Naval Air Station (NAS) Barbers Point, Hawaii (USA), some time between 1954 and 1962.

(NMUSAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider armed with six LAU-3 rocket launchers in Vietnam. The aircraft probably belonged to the 1st Air Commando Squadron, 14th Air Commando Wing, which operated from Nha Trang Air Base in 1966-1967 (tail code "EC").

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Leyte (CV-32) launches aircraft off Korea. A Vought F4U-4 Corsair of Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33) "Tarsiers" is launched from the starboard catapult and a Douglas AD-3N Skyraider of Composite Squadron 33 (VC-33) Det.3 "Avengers" is ready for launching from the port catapult. Two Grumman F9F-2 Panther of VF-31 "Tomcatters" are visible in the foreground. All squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 3 (CVG-3) aboard the Leyte for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Korea from 6 September 1950 to 3 February 1951.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-5 Panthers of Fighter Squadron VF-121 "Peacemakers" (D-1XX), VF-122 "Black Angels (D-2XX), and Douglas AD-3 Skyraiders of Attack Squadron VA-125 "Rough Riders" (D-5XX) on the snow covered deck of the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) in Japanese waters. All squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 12 (CVG-12) aboard the Oriskany for a deployment to Korea from 15 September 1952 to 18 May 1953.

(NMNA Photo)

Douglas AD-6 Skyraider of attack squadron VA-152 Friendlies on the portside elevator on board the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) during the ship's Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) off Hawaii, 20 Dec 1961.  VA-152 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 15 (CVG-15) aboard the Coral Sea for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 12 Dec 1961 to 17 July 1962.  This AD-6 (A-1H) was later passed on to the South Vietnamese Air Force.  Note the landing mirror in the background. U.S. carriers originally operated two landing mirrors on both sides of the flight deck.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-6 Skyraiders (BuNo 137519, left) of Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) "Tigers" are on the catapults of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) while the pilot of a Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (BuNo 141842) of Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33) "Astronauts" awaits the signal to taxi his aircraft onto the catapult on 18 November 1960. Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 6 (CVG-6) aboard the Intrepid for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 4 August 1960 to 17 February 1961.

(NMUSAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider (USN BuNo 132619, nicknamed "Carolyns Folly") from the 1st Air Commando Squadron (later the 1st Special Operations Squadron) escorting an HH-3C rescue helicopter as it goes to pick up a downed pilot in Vietnam in 1966. Note: Skyraider.org says that this is a 602nd SOS A-1E.

(USAF Photo)

Douglas A-1E with wings folded at McClellan Air Force Base, California, 15 Feb 1968.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Air Force armament technicians (l-r) A2C Michael J. Hall, A1C Robert V. Greer, and A1C John Smith, prepare to load 250 lbs (113 kg) bombs onto the wing pylons of a U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, c1966.

(NMUSAF Photo)

A hydraulic bomb loader raises a 500 lb (227 kg) bomb into position under the wing of a U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider (s/n 52-132649) of the 1st Air Commando Squadron, circa in 1966. This aircraft is the one Maj Bernard F. Fisher later used to make the daring rescue of Lt.Col. Dafford W. Myers at A Shau on 10 March 1966 for which Maj. Fisher received the U.S. Medal of Honor.

(USAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider (s/n 52-135141) of the 1st Special Operations Squadron at Ubon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, in December 1968. This aircraft was later shot down by a 9K32 Strela (NATO reporting code: SA-7 "Grail") over South Vietnam on 2 May 1972. The pilot was rescued.

(USAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1E (s/n 52-135206) from the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing, in flight, circa in the late 1960s. This aircraft was a former U.S. Navy EA-1E (before 1962: AD-5W) radar warning aircraft (BuNo 135206) that was converted to an attack plane. It was later transferred to the South Vietnamese Air Force.

(NMUSAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1E Skyraider (s/n 52-133919), probably at McClellan Air Force Base, California (USA), in the late 1960s. This aircraft was later transferred to the South Vietnamese Air Force and was one of eleven Skyraiders to escape to Thailand, in April 1975. McClellan was home to the Sacramento Air Logistics Center, where the former U.S. Navy Skyraiders were retrofitted for USAF/VNAF service in Southeast Asia.

(ZLEA Photo)

Douglas A-1H Skyraider at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The aircraft on display represents Captain Ronald Smith’s A-1H "The Proud American" (Serial Number 52-139738) as it appeared during his SAR mission in June 1972 as part of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Captain Smith was awarded the Air Force Cross for the rescue of a downed F-4 Phantom II crewman near a North Vietnamese airfield. "The Proud American" had a long and storied record in Southeast Asia. Although many pilots flew the plane, it is renowned for three separate episodes: Lt Col William Jones’ Medal of Honor mission in 1968, Capt Ronald Smith’s Air Force Cross mission in June 1972, and for being the last US Air Force A-1 lost in combat in Southeast Asia on 28 September 1972. The aircraft on display was delivered to the U.S. Navy (BuNo. 134600) in 1956 and was transferred to the Vietnam Air Force in April 1965. It arrived aboard USNS Core (T-AKV-41) in Saigon on 17 June 1965 and was initially assigned to the 514th FS at Bien Hoa Air Base. It was then transferred to the 520th FS at Binh Thuy Air Base. This aircraft was one of about 40 Skyraiders captured by North Vietnam in 1975. Its whereabouts are unknown until it was bought (?) by the U.S. Army Center Military History in 1997. It was transported from Vietnam to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona (USA), and was relocated to the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in 1999. There, it was resored from 2013 to 2022 and is today on display as A-1H (Serial No. 52-139738) of the 1st Special Operations Squadron.

(NMUSAF Photo)

Douglas A-1E Skyraider (U.S. Navy BuNo. 132649) at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (Dayton, Ohio, USA) is the airplane flown by Maj. Bernard Fisher on 10 March 1966, when he rescued a fellow pilot shot down over South Vietnam in the midst of enemy troops. For this deed he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The airplane, severely damaged in combat in South Vietnam, came to the museum in 1967 for preservation. From July 1965 through June 1966, he flew 200 combat sorties in the A-1E/H as a member of the 1st Air Commando Squadron located at Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam. On March 10, 1966, he led a two-ship of Skyraiders to the A Shau Valley in support of friendly troops in contact with the enemy. A total of six "Spads" were striking numerous emplacements when the A-1 piloted by Major D. W. "Jump" Myers was hit and forced to crash-land on the airstrip of the CIDG-Special Forces camp. Myers bellied in on the 2,500-foot runway and took cover behind an embankment on the edge of the strip while Major Fisher directed the rescue effort. Since the closest helicopter was 30 minutes away and the enemy was only 200 yards from Myers, Fisher quickly decided to land his two-seat A-1E on the strip and pick up his friend. Under the cover provided by the other A-1s, he landed in the valley, taxied to Myer's position, and loaded the downed airman into the empty seat. Dodging shell holes and debris on the steel planked runway, Major Fisher took off safely despite many hits on his aircraft by small arms fire.

(USAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1H Skyraider (Serial No. 52-139608) "Blood, Sweat & Tears" from the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing in flight. This aircraft was among the last used by the USAF until November 1972 from Nakhon Phamom Air Base, Thailand. The aircraft was later transferred to the South Vietnamese Air Force.

(USAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1H Skyraider (Serial No. 52-135322) of the 4407th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 1st Special Operations Wing, at Hurlburt Field, Florida (USA), in 1971. Note the old U.S. Navy Mark 8 300 US gallon (1136 litre) centerline tank. This aircraft had a colourful career. It was accepted by the U.S. Navy in August 1954 and was in service from 1954-1958 and 1963-1967. In 1964, it was assigned to Attack Squadron 145 (VA-145) and participated in the first "Pierced Arrow" strikes of the Vietnam War. It was transferred to the U.S. Air Force in 1967 and used to train pilots until 1971. It was then shipped to Vietnam and entered service with the Vietnamese Air Force until it was flown to Thailand in late April 1975 to avoid capture. After being flown as a "warbird" it was acquired by the U.S. National Air & Space Museum, Washington D.C., in 1983, where it was stored to await restoration.

(USAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1H Skyraider (Serial No. 52-139778, "Bubbles'n Bust") of the 602nd Special Operations Squadron on final approach before landing at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 15 March 1970.

(USAF Photo)

Two Douglas A-1H Skyraider (s/n 52-134621 and 52-134628 or 52-137628) take off for a bombing mission, in February 1969. The partly visible tail code "E" would identify these aircraft as from U.S. Air Force 6th Special Operations Squadron (tail code "ET") at Pleiku Air Base, Vietnam. Note the old U.S. Navy Mark 8 300 US gallon (1136 litre) centerline tank under the nearer Skyraider.

(NMNA Photo)

Douglas A-1J Skyraider (BuNo. 142028) of Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176) "Thunderbolts" in flight.  VA-176 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 10 (CVW-10) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) for a deployment to Vietnam from 4 April to 21 November 1966.

(USAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1H (former U.S. Navy A-1H BuNo. 139609) nicknamed Bad News, in 1969. The "6T"-tailcode was found on 6th Special Operations Squadron Skyraiders at Pleiku in October 1969, the better known tailcode is "ET".[1] The aircraft is armed with six Mk 82 227 kg (500 lb) bombs with "daisy cutter"-fuzes and two Mk 20 "Rockeye" cluster bombs. The A-1H 139609 was later transferred to the South Vietnamese Air Force, [2] 518th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Tactical Wing, at Bien Hoa.[3]. It was lost on 12 November 1972.

(USAF Photo)

USAF Douglas A-1J Skyraider (U.S. Navy BuNo 142016) of the 6th Special Operations Squadron over Vietnam. The 6th SOS operated from Pleiku and Da Nang air bases in 1968 and 1969. It was deactivated on 15 November 1969 and its aircraft were turned over to the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). The A-1J 142016 was lost on 23 May 1972.

(USAF Photo)

USAF Douglas A-1 Skyraider (Serial No. 33882), releases 500-pound ordnance on a Viet Cong position below, with smoke still rising from a previous strike, 26 Dec 1964.

(USMC Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps Douglas AD-2Q Skyraider (BuNo 122387) from Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 33 (HEDRON-33) in flight over Korea, c1952.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-2 Skyraider (BuNo 122343), of Attack Squadron 702 (VA-702) over the Japanese islands, after being launched on a routine flight from the aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21) in September 1951. The ship was then en route to the Korean combat area. Boxer, with assigned Carrier Air Group 101 (CVG-101), was deployed to the Western Pacific and Korea from 2 March to 24 October 1951. The AD-2 122343 was later lost over Korea on 6 June 1952 while in service with Marine Attack Squadron 121 (VMA-121). The plane was hit by flak and the pilot bailed out.

(USN Photo)

Two Douglas AD-2 Skyraiders at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (USA), in 1948. According to the BuNo. of the nearest aircraft (12227?) these Skyraiders are AD-2s. Up to 1957 the tailcode "B" belonged to Carrier Air Group Nineteen (CVG-19).

(USMC Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps Douglas AD-2 Skyraider (BuNo 122224) of Marine Attack Squadron 121 (VMA-121) Wolfraiders in flight, in the early 1950s.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Douglas AD-2Q Skyraider (BuNo. 122366) at San Francisco Airport in October 1949.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-2Q Skyraider of Attack Squadron VA-195 in flight in the western Pacific. VA-195 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 19 (CVG-19) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21) in 1949-50.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Group 101 (CVG-101) in flight off Korea, in August 1951.  CVG-101 was deployed to Korea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer (CV-21) from 2 March to 24 October 1951.  Visible are two Vought F4U-4 Corsairs each of Fighter Squadron 791 (VF-791) "Fighting Falcons" (A-2XX) and VF-884 "Bitter Birds", and four Douglas AD-2 Skyraider of Attack Squadron 702 (VA-702) "Rustlers".

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(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-2 Skyraider (BuNo 122218) at the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland, 21 June 1949, with three Mk 25 Mod 2 mines. The tail of a Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat (BuNo 80359) is visible at right.

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

US Navy Bureau No 09102. This is one of the prototype Skyraiders which were originally designated XBT2D-1 and were given Bureau numbers from a cancelled batch of SB2D-1 Destroyers. Note that the BuNo under the tailplane is painted as ‘109102’ which sounds more realistic for a post-war type, but is actually a cancelled F6F-5N Hellcat serial. Previously part of the gate collection at NAS Oceana, VA, it is now on display, still in VA-15 markings, on the deck of USS Intrepid as part of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, New York Harbor, NY.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Douglas AD-2 Skyraider (BuNo. 122226), used as a prototype for the airborne early warning variant. Production AD-3Ws featured the shown APS-20 radar below the fuselage and a longer cabin. 122226 was originally used to demonstrate the improved engine cooling system that was later used on the AD-3.

The Mariner Miracle, 1953.

(Gerald Sullivan Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-4B Skyraider from Attack Squadron VA-75 Sunday Punchers, Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) from the USS Bennington (CVA-20), piloted by LTJG Jim Elster, ready for launch from the Canadian aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), after the so-called "Mariner Miracle" in 1953.

In September 1953 the carriers USS Wasp (CVA-18), USS Bennington (CV-20) and HMCS Magnificent were taking part in naval exercise "Mariner" in the North Atlantic.  On the afternoon of 23 September 1953, with 42 planes aloft, the carriers were completely socked in by fog.  The aircraft were unable to find and return to their carriers in the fog and as they ran low on fuel, Vice Admiral T.S. Combs and Rear Admiral H.H. Goodwin ordered all aircraft to ditch near the submarine USS Redfin (SSR-272) at 1620 hrs.  Just as the aircraft were about to do so, however, the fog lifted slightly and all planes were ordered to land on the first carrier platform they could find.  All 42 aircraft were recovered safely with only minimum fuel remaining.  USN LTJG Elster's Skyraider landed on HMCS Magnificent and while onboard Canadian sailors painted a red mapleleaf on the American stars.  It is reported that in spite of many refits and repairs, the maple leaf was still intact on the aircraft many years later.

(Gerald Sullivan Photo)

USN LTJG Elster's Skyraider with maple leaf painted, HMCS Magnificent.

Surviving Skyraiders

United States

Airworthy
AD-1
9257 – based at the Warbird Heritage Foundation in Waukegan, Illinois.
AD-4

(Joanna Poe Photo)

(Michel Rehbaum Photos)

(Aldo Bidini Photo)

(SWAG Photo)
123827 – based at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

(Alan Wilson Photos)
126997 – privately owned in Houston, Texas. Reg. No. N409Z.
AD-4N (A-1D)
124156 – privately owned in Troy, Alabama.

(Articseahorse Photo)
126959 – privately owned in Bennett, Iowa. Douglas AD-4NA Skyraider (BuNo. 126959), C/N 7765, painted as an USAF A-1, “The Proud American”, Reg. No. NX965AD.  This Skyraider was built in the early-50’s. While with the US Navy it served aboard the USS Kearsarge with VA-115 in 1953, off the coast of Korea.  The cease-fire was called before it saw combat action, however the aircraft of VA-115 conducted DMZ patrols for the duration of the cruise.  When it returned stateside it was stationed with FASRON 8 at Alameda before transitioning to FAETULANT in Norfolk, VA from November 1954 until August 1955.  She ultimately entered storage at Litchfield Park in August 1957.  She was stricken from the Navy list in July 1958, and left storage for France in March 1960.  While with the French l’Armee de l’Air, our Skyraider was based at Chateaudun but served in Algeria in 1962, Djibouti in 1968, Madagascar in 1971, and Chad in 1976.  It was sent to storage with Sogerma in September 1979 where it remained until 1983.  The Musee de l’Air at Le Buurget acquired the aircraft in 1984, and sold it to a private owner in Belgium in 1985. This aircraft was purchased by Heritage Flight Museum in February of 2004 and very arduously flown, towed, cargoed, towed again, and flown again back to Bellingham from Belgium.  (Heritage Flight Museum)
AD-4NA (A-1D)

(Alan Wilson Photo)
126882 – based at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas. The aircraft survived Hurricane Ike without damage as it was flown out before the storm.
126965 – based at the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington, Washington. It has a Wright R-3350-26WA with 2,700 hp. While with the US Navy, it served aboard the USS Kearsarge with VA-115 in 1953, off the coast of Korea. The cease-firewas called before it saw combat action, however, the aircraft of VA-115conducted DMZ patrols for the duration of the cruise. When it returned stateside it was stationed with FASRON 8 at NAS Alameda before transitioning toFAETULANT at NAS Norfolk, VA from November 1954 until August 1955.
126997 – based at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California. It servedwith the French Air Force during the Algerian War.
AD-4W

(thebeav69 Photos)
126867 – based at the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon.
AD-5 (A-1E)

Surviving Skyraiders

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Surviving Skyraiders

(Fly-by-Owen Photo)

(Dziban303 Photo)
132683 – based at the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Reg. No. N39147.
AD-5W (EA-1E)

(Valder137 Photos)
135152 – based at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas. Moving to the North Texas Regional Airport in Denison, Texas.

(Andre Wadman Photo)
135178 – privately owned in Saint Charles, Missouri.

(Thornfield Hall Photo)

(Author Photo)
135188 – based at the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts. It was donated to the Collings Foundation in May 2012.
AD-6 (A-1H)

(USMC Photo)

(Michael Barera Photo)
139606 – based at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas. "Wiley Coyote", to be moved to the North Texas Regional Airport in Denison, Texas.

Among a few remaining flyable A-1H, BuNo 139606 is one of the four Skyraiders "rescued" from those that were flown to Thailand by VNAF pilots during the final days of South Vietnam, culminating with the fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese on 29 April 1975. A-1H 139606 was maintained in flyable condition by the Museum of Flying, Santa Monica (California, USA). It is painted in the colours of attack squadron VA-165 Boomers, which was assigend to Attack Carrier Air Wing Sixteen (CVW-16) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) between 1962 and 1964. However, the stinging hornet was painted on VA-176 Skyraiders, not on VA-165's. Flying with the A-1H is a North American T-28 Trojan.

(Tennessee Aviation Museum Photos)

139665 - the Tennessee Aviation Museum. On April 30, 1975, the city of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese ending the decades long Vietnam War. During the days and weeks leading up to the fall of Saigon there was chaos and confusion among the military and civilians alike. The focus was on the safety and possible evacuation of personnel but also on the disposition of equipment belonging to the South Vietnamese military. Most of this equipment had been provided by the United States, including hundreds of aircraft, some of them brand new. Pilots and aircrew discussed plans during those final weeks- what planes could they fly, and where could go? And how many people could they evacuate? A number of aircraft were flown to Thailand, some landing at airports and some only making it to a highway or a field before running out of gas.  

U Taphao, in Thailand, was a prime destination for the evacuees. It was a B-52 base with a 12,000’ runway and by the end of the day on April 29, there were 165 VNAF airplanes at U Taphao. There were also 97 Cambodian aircraft that had escaped after the fall of Phnom Penh.

It soon became known that the North Vietnamese planned to claim all the VNAF planes in Thailand and plans were again made to move them. The carrier Midway was enroute to Thailand to deliver H-53 helicopters to assist in the evacuation of Saigon. It was decided to load as many aircraft as possible onto the Midway. The newest aircraft were prioritized, leaving older prop aircraft, such as the A-1E, behind.

Under the direction of Brigadier General Harry "Heinie" Aderholt , two former A-1 pilots, Captain Roger Youngblood and Major Jack Drummond, decided to move some of the A-1s to a less conspicuous location. They were familiar with Ta Khili Air Base in central Thailand, and decided to fly the planes there. Four Skyraiders were moved before the unauthorized operation was halted. Aderholt remained in Thailand for four years after leaving the Air Force and he realized the Skyraiders, which were still in Ta Khili, were becoming rare and valuable. He arranged to ship the four planes to the U.S. where they arrived by 1980. One of those four planes, BuNo 139665, is on display in the Tennessee Air Museum, and is maintained in flying condition.  (Tennessee Aviation Museum)

The four A1s in this story are all in museums today, and three of them are still flying.

A-1E BuNo 132683 Colorado Springs, CO (National Museum of WWII Aviation)  **

A-1H BuNo 135332 Washington, DC (National Air and Space Museum)

A-1H BuNo 139606 Addison, TX (Cavanaugh Flight Museum)  **

A-1H BuNo 139665 Sevierville, TN (Tennessee Museum of Aviation)  **

** In flying condition

On display
XBT2D-1 (AD-1)
9102 – Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, New York.
AD-3

(Glenn Chatfield Photo)
122811 – Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
AD-4N (A-1D)

(Jim Hoagland Photos)

(Tom Key Photo)
127007 – USS Yorktown (CV-10) at the Patriot's Point Naval and Maritime Museumin Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It bears the markings of Attack Squadron 65(VA-65), assigned to Carrier Air Group TWO (CVG-2), aboard Yorktown, c1953-54.
AD-4NA (A-1D)

(Skytamer.com, Peter S. Kuntz Photo)

125739 – United States Naval Museum of Armament and Technology, NAWS China Lake(North) in Ridgecrest, California.
126924 – Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.

(Michael Barera Photo)
127888 – Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
AD-4W

(Author Photo)

(Chris Finney Photo)
127922 – USS Midway (CV-41) at the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, in SanDiego, California.[40] According to the curators, the aircraft is actually anAD-4W that was modified to resemble an A-1 for museum display purposes. FormerFleet Air Arm Skyraider AEW.1, WT981, later Svensk Flygtjänst target tug, asSE-EBL. Decommissioned in 1976 and acquired by Flygvapenmuseum. Sold to DavidTalichet in 1983, as N5469Y, later donated to the National Warplane Museum. Ondisplay in San Diego since 2006.
AD-4B
132261 – Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada.
AD-5 (A-1E)

(kb7yl Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)
132463 – Aerospace Museum of California at the former McClellan Air Force Basein North Highlands, California. c/n 9480, EC, 1st Special Operations Squadron, painted as USAF (Serial No. 32463), EC.
52-132649 (former bureau number 132649) – National Museum of the United StatesAir Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. This aircraft was originallya US Navy aircraft. Transferred to USAF, it was flown by then-Major BernardFrancis Fisher (Colonel, USAF Retired) on 10 March 1966 when he rescued afellow A-1E pilot shot down over South Vietnam in the midst of enemy troops, adeed for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The aircraft was severelydamaged in combat in South Vietnam and was returned in 1967 for preservation bythe then-US Air Force Museum. It is the only surviving US Air Force Medal ofHonor Aircraft.
52-247 – Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill AFB in Roy, Utah. It is an A-1E that wasapparently remanufactured from various components taken from several other A-1s(both Air Force and Navy versions) in South Vietnam.
AD-5N (A-1G)

(Valder137 Photo)
132534 – Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

(USAF Photo)
52-598 (former bureau number 132598) – Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park,Hurlburt Field, Florida. Former U.S. Air Force Douglas A-1G Skyraider (Serial No. 52-132598) This aircraft had been delivered as a U.S. Navy AD-5N night attack plane (BuNo 132598) which was redesignated A-1G in 1962. The aircraft is painted in the 1964-1966 scheme used by the USAF in Vietnam. However, it wears the tail code of the 1st Special Operations Squadron ("TC"), which was applied only later on camouflaged Skyraiders. The tail code is also too small.
AD-5W (EA-1E)

(Michael Barera Photo)
132443 – Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, Tyler Pounds Field (East Side) in Tyler, Texas.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

(Magic Aviation Photo)
132789 – March Field Air Museum, March AFB (former) in Riverside, California.
AD-5Q (EA-1F)
132532 – National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola, Florida.
135018 – Pima Air and Space Museum adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. The aircraft is painted in the markings of VAW-33 as embarked withCarrier Air Wing 6 (CVW-6) aboard the aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66) in1967.
AD-6 (A-1H)
135300 – National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola, Florida. Thisaircraft is painted in the markings of Attack Squadron 25 (VA-25).
137602 – on a pylon near the near base headquarters and the base chapel at NASLemoore, California. This aircraft is also painted in the same markings as the NAS Pensacola museum aircraft, i.e., Attack Squadron 25 (VA-25) and a"false" BuNo of 135300.
134600 – on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force atWright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.[53] It is painted to represent the secondA-1H named "The Proud American" from the 1st SOS "Hobos" -the second "Proud American" (which the museum is trying to represent)was the last USAF Skyraider to be lost in combat over Vietnam.
Under restoration or in storage
AD-4W
126867 – in storage at the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon.
AD-6 (A-1H)
135332 – in storage at the National Air and Space Museum of the SmithsonianInstitution in Washington, D.C.

France
Airworthy
AD-4N
124143 – Jean Baptiste Salis. Damaged during a mid-air collision with P-51Mustang "Big Beautiful Doll" at IWM Duxford's Flying Legends Airshowin July 2011. The P-51 was destroyed (pilot parachuted safely), and Skyraider124143 suffered extensive damage to its right wing, but landed safely.
125716 – Didier Chable.
AD-4NA
127002 – Michele Gineste and Maurice Etchetto in Le Havre, France.
On display
AD-4NA
126979 – Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace.
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South Africa

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Douglas AD-4N Skyraider (BuNo. 127894), c/n 7909, French Air Force (Serial No. 68), Gabon, Reg. No. TR-KFQ.  Did not leave France, Reg. No. N92072, shipped South Africa.  Currently awaiting restoration at the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop Airfield, Pretoria.

Sweden
On display
AD-4W
127947– Arlandasamlingarna, Stockholm-Arlanda Airport.[2] Svensk Flygtjänsttarget tug, SE-EBB. Former Fleet Air Arm Skyraider AEW.1, WT949.
127960 – Svedinos Bil- och Flygmuseum, Ugglarp. Currently undergoingrestoration but available to visitors. Target tug used by Svensk Flygtjänst, asSE-EBC. Decommissioned in 1974 and acquired by Svedinos the same year. FormerFleet Air Arm Skyraider AEW.1, WT962.
In storage
AD-4W
127945 – Owned by Flygvapenmuseum but on loan to Skyraider AB, Karlskoga, forrestoration. Former Fleet Air Arm Skyraider AEW.1, WV185. Used by SvenskFlygtjänst as target tug 1963-1973, registration SE-EBI. Decommissioned in 1974and acquired by Flygvapenmuseum the same year, though never put on display.

Thailand
On display
AD-7
142072 – Royal Thai Air Force Museum.

(aeroprints.com Photo)

Douglas A-1 Skyraider (BuNo. 26922).

United Kingdom
Airworthy
AD-4NA

(Kogo Photo)

(Adrian Pingstone Photo)
126922 – Kennet Aviation, Old Warden Aerodrome.
In storage
AEW1
124086 (WV106) – in storage (incomplete) at the Royal Navy's Fleet Air ArmMuseum ('Cobham Hall'), visible from outside.
124121 (WT121) – in storage at the Fleet Air Arm Museum's 'Cobham Hall'

Vietnam
On display
A-1E
132436 – Viet Nam Military History Museum in Hanoi.
A-1H

(Pandar Photo)
134636 – Viet Nam Military History Museum in Hanoi.
135344 - Huế War Museum in Huế.
139674 – War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.
139723 – Vietnam People's Air Force Museum, Hanoi.

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