Douglas A-1E Skyraider

DOUGLAS A-1E “SKYRAIDER”

ATTACK BOMBER–Korean/Vietnam

Built by Douglas Aircraft Corp., the AD-5 (A-1E) entered service with the US Navy as an attack bomber prior to the Korean War. During the Vietnam War, 50 aircraft were taken from storage and used by the USAF and RVN pilots for close support and rescue helicopter escort. Major Bernard Fisher flew one of these aircraft when he rescued a fellow pilot from behind enemy lines on March 10, 1966, becoming the first USAF Medal of Honor recipient during the Vietnam conflict. U.S. 

Navy BuNo 132463 was one of 670 AD-5s built by Douglas at their El Segundo, California plant, and accepted by the Navy in February 1954. He served aboard the U.S.S. Shangri-la. U.S.S. Franklin Roosevelt, U.S.S. Intrepid, and U.S.S. Enterprise before being stricken from the Navy records in July 1963. In 1962 AD-5s were redesigned as A-1Es. It was brought to the museum from storage in October 1985 and restored by the museum staff. It is painted in the markings of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Crew: A pilot, one or two in side-by-side seats
Power Plant: One Wright R-3350-26W radial engine
Dimensions:
• Length: 39 ft.
• Height: 18 ft. 11 in.
• Wingspan: 50 ft. 9 in.
Weight: 18,800 lbs.

PERFORMANCE

Speed: 365 mph maximum at 15,000 ft
Ceiling: Over 25,000 ft
Range: 1,600 nautical miles

ARANMENT

Four 20 mm cannon, plus twelve wing stations for bombs and/or rockets

THIS AIRCRAFT IS ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE USAF