Nice photos Douglas AD-4NA Skyraider

[bazzer]

Some nice pics considering as my next build

This AD-4N Skyraider (c/n 7722) was built in 1948 at the Douglas El Segundo plant, California and was allocated the serial 126922 and delivered to the US Navy. In 1960 it was transfered to the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) as serial 42 to be utilised in the close air support role in Chad, Djibouti and Madagascar. In 1976 it was donated with seven others to the Gabon Air Force (Armée de l'Air Gabonaise) with serial TR-KMM and it was flown by French mercenaries serving with the Groupment Aerient Presidentiel. By 1985 it was back in France and registered F-AZED and eventually was acquired by the Amicale Jean-Baptiste Salis collection at La Ferté Alais. Here it was painted as; 126922 with code 'JS-937' of VF-152 "Fighting Aces" as flown from the USS Intrepid and USS Hornet. In 1991 the Fighter Collection at Duxford bought her and she was registered G-RAID in 1993. In 2003 Kennet Aviation now at North Weald took ownership and re-registered her G-RADR. It was then painted as 126922 with code 'AK-204' of VA-176 'Thunderbolts' when flying from the USS Intrepid from 1955 until 1966 during the Vietnam war. By early 2011 it was in an authentic gloss sea blue scheme from when 126922 then coded 'H-503' served during the Korean War from 1953 with VA-155 squadron aboard USS Princeton (CV-37).

 

[bazzer]

 

[MaydayWei]

What an illustrious historical record it has. Thanks for sharing that!
I've always loved that rich, deep, midnight blue that korean-era navy planes were painted!

 

[s4rmark]

Great plane and often overlooked. It’s hard to believe that it could carry a heavier bomb load than a B-17. Some feat for a single engined prop aircraft.

 

[bazzer]

It is s great plane going to build the 1/32 trumpeter I love the blue as well. Bit torn between the Vietnam sea and the Korean deep blue
Love how the engine exhaust stain the sides
Baz