MaxSez: Out of the past maybe, but these famous reciprocators are credited with the shot down of 2 Mig-17’s in the 60’s, a historic aerial engagement. The Douglas AD was a beloved warbird it served with distinction in WWII, Korea and in the Vietnam Conflict where it was know as the “Spad”. They flew CAS & RESCAP for the SAR Force. When transferred to the VNAF with the introduction of the A-4 in the mid 60’s US Pilots continued to fly VNAF Spads as instructors and RESCAP operators thru the conclusion of the conflict. Introduced during WWII this piston driven war bird had meny variants to include EW/SigInt! See the Wike write up for a full historic account to include its service with Allied Nations 45-70’s to include the U.K. .
General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
Wingspan: 50 ft 0¼ in (15.25 m)
Height: 15 ft 8¼ in (4.78 m)
Wing area: 400.3 ft² (37.19 m²)
Empty weight: 11,968 lb (5,429 kg)
Loaded weight: 18,106 lb (8,213 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 25,000 lb (11,340 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-3350-26WA radial engine, 2,700 hp (2,000 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 322 mph (280 kn, 518 km/h) at 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
Cruise speed: 198 mph (172 kn, 319 km/h)
Range: 1,316 mi (1,144 nmi, 2,115 km)
Service ceiling: 28,500 ft (8,685 m)
Rate of climb: 2,850 ft/min (14.5 m/s)
Wing loading: 45 lb/ft² (220 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.15 hp/lb (250 W/kg)
Armament
Guns: 4 × 20 mm (0.79 in) AN/M3 autocannon
Hardpoints: 15 external hardpoints with a capacity of 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) and provisions to carry combinations of:
Other: bombs, torpedoes, mine dispensers, unguided rockets, and gun pods.
(For those that still have living family or friend who served in RVN ask them about the “Spad” and “Puff the Magic Dragon”, most who served in combat in RVN will remember them fondly)
