Warbird.

John Baker

John Baker

Final Approach
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
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San Diego, California
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Display name:
John Baker
I drove out to the airport today to check on my plane, this puppy was sitting about a hundred yards from it. I took these with my dinosaur of a cell phone camera, so the quality isn't all that great.

John
 

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I can't identify it, but........ All those dummy bombs on the wings just have to add a ton of drag.. Probably take 1000 hp to overcome it.:yesnod::yesnod:

I looked close but didn't even see a N number on the plane either.. Must be hidden somewhere.:dunno::dunno:

Ben.
 
N801BH said:
I looked close but didn't even see a N number on the plane either.. Must be hidden somewhere.:dunno::dunno:
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I think the 959 on the tail is what you're looking for, although I'm left guessing as these pics aren't that old and the paint job has changed plenty...

Link.
 
That reminds me - if anyone ever offers you a bar bet that Chevrolet never built an 18 cylinder engine - don't take it. Some of the dual 9 radials used on these planes were built by Chevy under license and had the blue bow tie on them.
 
N801BH said:
I can't identify it, but........ All those dummy bombs on the wings just have to add a ton of drag..
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How do you know they were "dummy" bombs? Tea Party plane maybe?

:D
 
Yeah, Sky Raider, probably was the last manned recip attack plane in the inventory. Pretty capable aircraft. IIRC it's got an R 3350 in it, so that's some pretty serious lifting ability.
 
Actually, that airplane is parked there more often than not.....I think the wife of the owner works at San Diego Flight Training.
 
yakdriver said:
It's a Douglas AD-4 Skyraider
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It's an AD1-4, 3350 wright, with a 4 blade aeroquip prop. with VN shore based colors.

when VA 25 had them aboard the Coral Sea CVA 43 we called the pack the meat grinder.

first launch from CVA 43 on the 65/66 cruise they lost their CO, XO, Maintenance officer, and 11 other pilots.
 
Henning said:
Yeah, Sky Raider, probably was the last manned recip attack plane in the inventory. Pretty capable aircraft. IIRC it's got an R 3350 in it, so that's some pretty serious lifting ability.
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Way more bomb load than a B-17
 
Graueradler said:
Way more bomb load than a B-17
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I've seen them deck launch with 5, 1000 pound daisy cutters 1 center line and 2 on each wing. and they were famous for returning with hung ordnance, mainly 5" Zoonies and throw them all over the deck.
 
To tell you how durable that aircraft is, VA25 had one return to the boat with over 2500 holes in it. the biggest hit was a AA round right up thru the lower cowl, and blew off all the cylinders from 4:00 to 8:00 including the lower oil scavenge sump, he first called the airboss on guard saying he had a rough runner but was feet wet headed to the boat at 45 miles.
they first saw him on the horizon from the smoke trail, 5 minutes or so later he said it was getting rougher and couldn't hold altitude but thought he could make the boat.
the boss asked if he was going to ditch and would have the angle on him, he says no he would land aboard, and he did, as if nothing was wrong, when they started to get him out of the AD he bent over and kissed that aircraft, when they got him to sick bay he had shrapnel in both legs, abdomen, and chest. his helmet has a chunk the size of your hand embedded in the side of it..

He met the boat in Alameda when CVA43 returned state side, there were only 5 pilots of VA 25 left in the Squadron that started the cruise.

tough old aircraft, but their job was a hard one low and slow in point blank range of the AA gunners
 
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care and feeding of one of those....turns my knees to jelly just thinking about it.
 
bbchien said:
care and feeding of one of those....turns my knees to jelly just thinking about it.
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Awe Bruce, they only burn 60-80 gal of 115/145 per hour. plus 5 gallons of D-120

A plug change is 98.00X36= $3500.00
 
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A friend of mine owns a Sea Fury with a 3350 in it, with the 4 blader. Thing is a beast.
 
When I was with the Marine Aviation Detachment at Pt.Mugu California in the late 50s we had an AD5N. A nice 4 place family plane. :) That thing had ACCELERATION when the throttle was opened.

Paul
N1431A
2AZ1
 
Henning said:
But not near the fuel load nor range. Completely different missions.
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Most were napalm delivery trucks 5, 200 gallon tanks, each would nearly cover a football field.
 
pmanton said:
When I was with the Marine Aviation Detachment at Pt.Mugu California in the late 50s we had an AD5N. A nice 4 place family plane. :) That thing had ACCELERATION when the throttle was opened.

Paul
N1431A
2AZ1
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I watched one take off from an airport on the north side of OKC once (Wiley Post?). He took off, this huge air brake comes down, and the wheels go up. then the air brake goes up. Interesting.

Talked to him after he landed. he said the air brake handle is next to the gear handle and he had bumped it. Didn't notice it was out there as he was still climbing well. Tower called him and told him the brake was out.
 
tonycondon said:
I watched one take off from an airport on the north side of OKC once (Wiley Post?). He took off, this huge air brake comes down, and the wheels go up. then the air brake goes up. Interesting.

Talked to him after he landed. he said the air brake handle is next to the gear handle and he had bumped it. Didn't notice it was out there as he was still climbing well. Tower called him and told him the brake was out.
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The advantage of horse power.
 
They are normally not catapult launched. Only if the wind strength is too high. Then they put them on a catapult to get them away from the ship.
 
Graueradler said:
They are normally not catapult launched. Only if the wind strength is too high. Then they put them on a catapult to get them away from the ship.
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Many times the deck is too crowded to deck launch, and when they are heavy they go to the cats.
 
Henning said:
What kind of bridle do they rig for that?
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regular old cable "V" type (with vanzell retrieval system) and the hold back goes in the aft fuselage, forward of the T/W The bridle hooks extend out of the inboard wing root each side.
 
Tom-D said:
regular old cable "V" type (with vanzell retrieval system) and the hold back goes in the aft fuselage, forward of the T/W The bridle hooks extend out of the inboard wing root each side.
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Here's a photo
5880865301_64aac1d4f8.jpg
 
Wow, I didn't know any of this. I've made up my mind, just a soon as my picture framing business picks up, I'm going to buy one. :D

John
 
Sea Fury with a Skyraider transplant. :)

 
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