Douglas A-1D Skyraider
Join us in welcoming our June Plane of the Month: The Douglass A-1D Skyraider
The Douglas A-1D Skyraider was developed as a rugged, carrier-based attack aircraft for the U.S. Navy, first taking flight on March 18, 1945. Designed to carry a wide variety of weapons on its numerous wing hard points, the Skyraider became famous for its ability to carry more ordnance than a World War II B-17 bomber. Between 1946 and 1957, Douglas built 3,180 Skyraiders across 28 different variants.
The Skyraider first saw combat during the Korean War, where its long loiter time and heavy payload capacity provided a significant advantage over early jet aircraft. It later became one of the most successful attack aircraft of the Vietnam War, serving with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and South Vietnamese Air Force in close-air support and combat search-and-rescue missions.
The museum’s Skyraider was manufactured in 1952 and served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. It initially flew from the USS Philippine Sea, sustaining combat damage multiple times in 1953. From the late 1960s through 1977, it operated in Southeast Asia with the French Air Force before returning to the United States. Today, this airworthy aircraft is owned by the Vietnam War Flight Museum and stands as a powerful reminder of the Skyraider’s remarkable combat legacy.
Join us this month for our POM Hangar Snapshot Series where you can get up close and learn more. Included with your general admission and FREE for members!
Come by in person to see this amazing plane up close!
