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Variants
The Skyraider went through seven versions, starting with the AD-1, then AD-2 and AD-3 with various minor improvements, then the AD-4 with a more powerful R-3350-26WA engine. The AD-5 was significantly widened, allowing two crew to sit side-by-side (this was not the first multiple-crew variant, the AD-1Q being a two-seater and the AD-3N a three-seater); it also came in a four-seat night-attack version, the AD-5N. The AD-6 was an improved AD-4B with improved low-level bombing equipment, and the final production version AD-7 was upgraded to a R-3350-26WB engine.
XBT2D-1: Single-seat dive-bomber, torpedo-bomber prototype for the U.S. Navy.
The Douglas XBT2D-1 Skyraider prototype BuNo. 09086 was used the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, CA, by from March 11, 1946 to September 4, 1947. (Source: NASA)
XBT2D-1P: Photographic reconnaissance prototype, only one built.
XBT2D-1Q: Two-seat electronics countermeasures prototype. One aircraft only.
BT2D-2 (XAD-2): Upgraded attack aircraft, one prototype only.
AD-1: The first production model, 242 built.
AD-1Q: Two-seat electronic countermeasures version of the AD-1, 35 built.
AD-1U: AD-1 with radar countermeasures and tow target equipment, no armament and no water injection equipment.
XAD-1W: Three-seat airborne early warning prototype. AD-3W prototype, one aircraft only.
AD-2: Improved model, powered by 2,700 hp (2,000 kW) Wright R-3350-26W engine. 156 built.
Two Douglas AD-2 Skyraiders at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL, in 1948. According to the BuNo. of the nearest aircraft (12227?) these Skyraiders are AD-2s. Up to 1957 the tailcode "B" belonged to Carrier Air Group Nineteen (CVG-19) (Source: U.S. Navy)
AD-2Q: Two-seat electronics countermeasures version of the AD-2, 21 built.
AD-2QU: AD-2 with radar countermeasures and target towing equipment, no armament and no water injection equipment, one aircraft only.
XAD-2: Similar to XBT2D-1 except engine, increased fuel capacity.
AD-3: Proposed turboprop version, initial designation of A2D Skyshark.
AD-3: Stronger fuselage, improved landing gear, new canopy design, 125 built.
AD-3S: Anti-submarine warfare model, only two prototypes were built.
AD-3N: Three-seat night attack version, 15 built.
AD-3Q: Electronics countermeasures version, countermeasures equipment relocated for better crew comfort. 23 built.
AD-3QU: Target towing aircraft, but most were delivered as the AD-3Q.
AD-3W: Airborne early warning version, 31 built.
XAD-3E: AD-3W modified for ASW with Aeroproducts propellor
AD-4: Strengthened landing gear, improved radar, G-2 compass, anti-G suit provisions, four 20 mm cannon and 14 Aero rocket launchers, capable of carrying up to 50 lb (23 kg) of bombs. 372 built.
AD-4B: Specialized version designed to carry nuclear weapons, also armed with four 20 mm cannon. 165 built plus 28 conversions.
AD-4L: Equipped for winter operations in Korea, 63 conversions.
AD-4N: Three-seat night attack version. 307 built.
AD-4NA: Designation of 100 AD-4Ns without their night-attack equipment, but fitted with four 20 mm cannon, for service in Korea as ground-attack aircraft.
AD-4NL: version of the AD-4N. 36 conversions.
AD-4Q: Two-seat electronic countermeasures version of the AD-4, 39 built.
AD-4W: Three-seat airborne early warning version, 168 built.
AD-4W Skyraider of composite squadron VC-12, Carrier Air Group Three (CVG-3) landing on the aircraft carrier USS Leyte (CV-32) in 1952. (Source: U.S. Navy)
A-1E (AD-5): Side by side seating for pilot and co-pilot, without dive brakes, 212 built.
A-1E (AD-5W) Skyraider (S/N 52-135206) in flight. (Source: U.S. Air Force)
EA-1F (AD-5Q) - Four-seat electronics countermeasures version, 54 conversions.
EA-1F Skyraider ECM-aircraft (BuNo. 135010) of airborne early warning squadron VAW-13 Zappers over the Gulf of Tonkin in 1966. VAW-13's Det. M was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). (Source: U.S. Navy)
EA-1E (AD-5W): Four-seat airborne early warning version.
A-1H (AD-6): - Single-seat attack aircraft with three dive brakes, centerline station stressed for 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) of ordnances, 30 inches (760 mm) in diameter, combination 14/30 inch (360/760 mm) bomb ejector and low/high altitude bomb director, 713 built.
A Douglas A-1H Skyraider (BuNo 135263) of attack squadron VA-115 Arabs, Attack Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11), on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) in 1966. The plane is armed with six Mk 117 750 lb bombs for a mission over Vietnam. (Source: U.S. Navy)
UA-1E: Utility version of the AD-5.
Sources:
Wikipedia: A-1 Skyraider
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