military-aircraft-ad-4

The Skyradier was developed to meet a US Navy requirement of 1943 for a single seat carrierborne warplane able to combine the dive and torpedo bombing role The resulting XBT2D-1 prototype flew in March 1945 opening the door to a massive and long sustained development and production program for improved aircraft. The type was later reclassified in the attack category, and the AD-1 entered service in December 1946. The Skyraider played a key part in allied air operations during the Korean War, the AD-1 having been joined by the AD-2 and AD-4. Built between 1951 and 1953, the AD-4 was produced in eight sub variants and in larger numbers than any passed on to France, which used the type in its North African war of the early 1960s.

Description	Specifications
Manufacturer: Douglas	Length: 39 ft. 3 in.
	Height: 50 ft. 0.25 in.
Model: B	Wing Span: 50 ft. 2.5 in.
Crew: One	Wing Area: 400.33 sq. ft.
Nickname: Skyraider	Empty Weight: 11,783 lb.
Basic Role: Carrier borne and land based attack aircraft.	Max. Weight: 18,669 lb.
Other Versions: AD-2 improved engine insulation, larger fuel capacity, and greater structural strength. AD-4 power improved windscreen and an autopilot. AD-4B AD-4 conversions for toss bombing. AD-4N night attack aircraft. AD-4W airborne early warning aircraft. AD-4Q electronic countermeasures aircraft. AD-4L AD-4 winterized for Korean operations. AD-4VA without night equipment to allow carriage of heavier war load. AD-4NL with de-icing equipment and four 20 mm cannon.	Armament: Four 20 mm cannon and up to 9,090 lb. of disposable stores.
Principal User: France, Great Britain, USA.	Propulsion
First Flight: March 1945	Power Plant: Wright R-3350-26WA Cyclone radial piston engine.
Performance	Horsepower: 2,700-hp.
Range: 900 miles.	No. Of Engines: One
Max. Speed: 320 mph.
Ceiling: 23,800 ft.
Climb Rate: 2,980 ft. per minute.