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History Presentation Skyraider
January 13
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider, originally designated as the AD-1, was a single-seat attack aircraft that was in service from 1946 to the early 1980s. Designed in 1944 and first flown in early 1945, the Skyraider saw action in the Korean conflict and was flown extensively in Vietnam.
The Skyraider was originally developed to meet Navy requirements for a carrier-based, single-seat, long-range, high performance dive bomber and torpedo bomber to replace the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver and the Grumman TBF Avenger. While it didn’t fly in combat in World War II, it had an incredibly successful combat record for more than 35 years after the war. The Skyraider was operated by the U.S. Navy, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Air Force. It also served in the British Royal Navy, the French Air Force, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, and others. It was one of the most successful aircraft designs to come out of the World War II era.
Retired Army Colonel, museum Lead Docent, and former Air Force weapons specialist Nick Cressy will present the Skyraider story at the museum on Saturday, January 13th, 2024, at 10:00. The presentation will include the exciting and interesting story of how the museum’s A1E was recovered from Southeast Asia after the Vietnam conflict. Nick will also tell of his firsthand experiences as a weapons specialist servicing many A1’s while in Thailand during the conflict. Join us for this informative presentation.