The Douglas A-1 Skyraider: A Historical Presentation

Retired Army Colonel, former Air Force weapons specialist and museum docent Nick Cressy traces the Skyraider's story. It begins with design and development during World War II to meet U.S. Navy requirements for a carrier-based, single-seat, long-range, high-performance dive bomber and torpedo bomber to replace the TBF Avenger and SB2C Helldiver. The first flight was on March 18, 1945. The Skyraider saw service in Korea and Vietnam. It was operated by the U.S. Navy and Air Force, the British Royal Navy, the French Air Force, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, and others. It remained in U.S. service until the early 1970s. Nick also tells the fascinating story of how our A-1E was recovered from Southeast Asia after the Vietnam conflict. Visit worldwariiaviation.org for more information