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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was the largest propeller driven attack aircraft. From 1959 to 1968 the West's premier ground support aircraft, the A-1 was the United States Navy's last propeller driven aircraft.
At the time of the first prototype's flight of the Skyraider on March 18, 1945 it was the largest production single seat aircraft. Its distinctive feature was the seven hard points under each wing with one in the center of the aircraft. They enabled the Skyraider to carry a large amount of ordnance for its size.
Some 3,180 Skyraiders were built. They entered service after W.W. 2, but saw combat in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars where they were invaluable. Their weapons load and endurance far surpassed all other aircraft at the time.
The Douglas Skyraider was a US single seat attack aircraft of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. Although it functioned in the age of jet fighters, the Douglas A-1, formerly AD Skyraider served all the Air Force, Navy and the Marines during a long and glorious history.
During WW II the US Navy wanted a new torpedo dive bomber. In response a number of aircraft in the SB2D/ BTD class were proposed. Engineering difficulties and weight problem ended the SB2D/ BTD project. A different aircraft was proposed utilizing the worthwhile properties from the SB2D/ BTD design and omitting its negative features.
The Douglas AD kept its weight down with advanced engineering and the use of light weight materials. A unique feature that saved a great deal of weight was its weapons delivery system It used propelled charges to launch bombs away from the aircraft.
When compared with the latest dive bombers of its day, the Skyraider had an 80 mph higher maximum speed and a 25% greater ordnance payload.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine:
Horsepower:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Ordnance:
Cannons:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
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First flight:
Date Deployed:
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Date Retired:
Total Produced: |
ground attack
one
Wright R3350
2,800
10,550 lbs.
25,000 lbs.
8,000 lbs.
4 - 20 mm
38' 10"
50' 9"
204 mph
312 mph
2,300 fpm
25,500 feet
3,050 miles
July 6, 1944
March 18, 1945
Dec. 6, 1946
March 19, 1957
3,180
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RC Airplane from Nick Ziroli Plans
Radio Control Airplanes:
Skyshark RC has a RC Airplane kit of the A-1 Skyraider - 45 with a 60" w/s for glow power.
You can find plans for the 100" w/s A-1 Skyraider radio control airplane, pictured above, from Nick Ziroli plans.
At one time Great Planes had a Skyraider RC Airplane kit, but it appears to have been discontinued.
Anglia Model Centre sells a 62 1/2" w/s Skyraider radio control airplane kit for a .60 engine.
Jim Bell of Waukesha, WI writes: Completion of the Skyshark RC Airplane kit for my A-1 Skyraider radio control airplane was the result of a long Wisconsin winter!
Noting that the A-1 prototypes required a fair amount of weight to balance, I made two changes to the A-1 radio control airplane: ( 1 ) Reducing the solid sections of wood in the tail feathers and achieving stiffness with carbon fiber reinforced spars, and ( 2 ) Turning the tank sideways so I could locate the servos ahead of the C/G on removable rails. With an OS .60 up front, I obtained the correct balance for the RC Airplane.
Covering for the radio control airplane is in Navy gray Easytex fabric. The panel lines of the RC Airplane are from Ultrakote and insignias are hand cut Easytex. I used a Precision Fiberglass cowl on the front of the A-1 radio control airplane.
I certainly enjoyed building the Skyshark RC radio control airplane kit. It is a super flyer!"
Pictured immediately below is Tom Burdin and his A-1 Skyraider scratch built radio control airplane. Tom is with the Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Airplane Club.
In the second picture below is a 53" wing span A-1 Skyraider slope soaring RC Airplane scratch built by Paul Janssens.
Anyone out there know of other A-1 Skyraider radio control airplane kits, plans, or ARF's that you would like to recommend, please email us.
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 RC Airplane built by Tom Burdin.
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RC Airplane by Paul Janssens
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