Douglas Skyraider

[evangilder]

The cowling probably looks different because the cowl flaps are closed. It does look quite different with them open or closed.

Open

And closed

 

[syscom3]

I remember back at the 1993 Hawthorne airshow, someone brought in their Skyraider and gave us a dive bombing demo.

Quite impressive!

 

[comiso90]

I did't know the A1 was a dive bomber too... I always thought of it in strike mode

 

[syscom3]

I did't know the A1 was a dive bomber too... I always thought of it in strike mode

They had dive brakes that were very effective.

 

[evangilder]

I wonder if that was Skyraider Bob. He has the giant brakes on his A-1H.

 

[DBII]

Here are a couple more that I found.

DBII

 

[Matt308]

The cowling probably looks different because the cowl flaps are closed. It does look quite different with them open or closed.

Perhaps you are right, Evan.

 

[evangilder]

Nice ones, DBII.

 

[Matt308]

Verrrrry nice.

 

[ccheese]

I think it amazing that it can hold up to 12 passengers internally (not counting externally).

The AD-4Q was the one rigged up to haul passengers. But I don't
think it could carry 12. I think 4 to 6 is about right. In my whole time
in the Navy, I only saw one.

There was another strange AD, it had a big ra-dome on the belly, and
was called "The Guppy". The pilot and the radar operator sat side by
side in the cockpit. I rode in this dude a few times while on USS Essex.

Charles

 

[Matt308]

Great CC. Any more memories? I can't get enough of that. Some personal remembrances would be real gems of your times onboard.

 

[ccheese]

Yea, Matt.... like the time I walked over the side at two in the morning, on
a moonless night, in the Caribbean. Was helping the guys do field day 'cause
I couldn't sleep. Took the trash to #2 elevator which was at the hanger
deck level (instead of going to the fantail). When I took the second load
down, they had raised the elevator to the flight deck and the safety lines
did not come up. I walked right over the side. Was in the water 38 minutes.
The USS Barry picked me up. Cost my skipper 5 gallons of ice cream to get
me back. Geeze... he was mad !

As for that AD4Q, I think it was designed as an electronics countermeasures
aircraft, but without the equip, we hauled passengers.

Charles

 

[Matt308]

Great CC!

 

[ccheese]

Great CC!

Then there was the time I was standing quarterdeck watch as JOOD, in
Sasebo, Japan. About 2345 one of the gunner's I knew came aboard with
a fifth of booze under each arm. I told him he couldn't bring it aboard. I
was going to turn my back and I wanted to hear two splashes in the water.
Well, I heard two splashes, and as he walked across the hanger deck, I saw
he didn't have any shoes on.......

Charles

 

[DBII]

 

[ccheese]

Hey Matt: Maybe we need a thread, "There I was", or "Then there was the
Time". I'm sure every ex-service man, flyer, or even a college kid, has a
story to tell..... Tales of daring-do; tall tales and true.....Whatcha think ??

Charles

 

[Matt308]

Excellent idea Charles. In the NAFI thread?

 

[ScOoTeR1992]

hay guys I'd like to thank you all again for the wonderful pictures this is a fantastic forum and I'm glad I'm a member of it