AD/A-1 Skyraider
There were numerous variants of the AD series.
AD-1Q: AD-1 with countermeasures unit.
AD-2:Powered with an improved 2,700 hp Wright R-3350-26W engine.
AD-2Q: An AD-2 with countermeasures equipment.
AD-3: Stronger fuselage, improved landing gear, new canopy design.
AD-3N: Equipped for night attack.
AD-3Q: Countermeasures equipment improved and relocated to provide better operation and crew comfort.
AD-3W: Airborne early warning equipment.
AD-4: The AD-4 was equipped with a strengthened landing gear, improved radar, G-2 compass, anti-G suit provisions, 4-20 mm cannon, and Aero 14 rocket launchers capable of carrying up to 50 pounds of bombs.
AD-4W: Airborne early warning equipment.
AD-1N: The primary mission of the AD-4N airplane was night attack and radar countermeasures.
AD-4Q: Countermeasures equipment.
AD-5 (Redesignated A-1E): A redesign of the aircraft. The AD-5 incorporated side by side seating for an assistant pilot. The revised crew arrangement facilitated all-weather operation and permitted utilization for long range navigation, radar search, spotting and observation, air support coordination, instrument training, pilot familiarization and other operations requiring a second crew member. Controls, armament and tactical equipment were located for single pilot operation. A single dive brake was provided for dive bombing and manuvering control. The AD-5 could be converted rapidly aboard a carrier for operation as a passenger, cargo, ambulance or long range airplane by installation of appropriate conversion kits supplied as alternate equipment.
AD-5N (Redesignated A-1-G): Night attack version with radar countermeasures.
AD-5W (Redesignated EA-1E): Airborne early warning version.
AD-6 (Redesignated A-1H): The single-place airplane is conventional in design and structure, landing gear, canopy, flaps, wing folding and three fuselage dive brakes are operated hydraulically. Capable of low level-bombing, the centerline bomb station of the AD-6 was capable of carrying external stores up to 3500 pounds weight and 30 inches diameter. A combination 14 and 30 inch suspension bomb ejector was installed. A bomb director suitable for either high or low altitude bombing was also installed.
AD-7 (Redesignated A-1): The improvements in the AD-7 over its predecessors include the use of the R-3350-26WB engine and structural improvments in the wing to improve fatigue life.
