Douglas A-1E 'Skyraider'
Built by Douglas Aircraft Corp., the A-1E (AD-5) served as a Navy attack bomber during the Korean War. During the Vietnam War, 50 aircraft were taken from storage and used by USAF and RVN pilots for close support and escorting rescue helicopters. An aircraft similar to this was flown by Major Bernard Fisher when he rescued a fellow pilot from behind enemy lines on March 10, 1966. Fisher became the first Medal of Honor recipient in the USAF during the Vietnam conflict.
U.S. Navy Bu.No. 132463 was one of 670 AD-5s built by Douglas at their El Segundo, California plant; and accepted by the Navy in February, 1954. It 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 records in July, 1963. 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-1E - one or two in side-by-side seats; AD-5 - five.
Power Plant: 2,7000 hp Wright R-3350-26W radial engine.
Dimensions:
Span: 50 ft 9 in.
Length: 39 ft.
Height: 15 ft 7 in.
Weight: 18,800 lbs.
Performance:
Speed: 365 mph maximum at 15,000 ft.
Ceiling: over 25,000 ft.
Combat Radius: 1,500 miles.
Armament: four 20mm cannon, plus twelve wing stations for bombs and/or rockets.
