A-1 "Skyraider" - Aircraft of World War II

plan_D · 05-15-2005, 10:32 PM

This may sound like a stupid question but; Why is the "Skyraider" designated A-1?

I know the logic behind American designations but this one just doesn't fit it in. It goes backwards. The A stands for Attack and the number after is the design number like A-36 is the 36th attack design on U.S drawing boards. How is the "Skyraider" the first? Did they restart the process in the 60s?

Nonskimmer · 05-15-2005, 10:41 PM

Good question. It's like the "Century Series" fighters. F-100, F-101, F-102, and so on.

My guess is just what you said: They restarted it. Why is anyone's guess. FJ or evan might know.

FLYBOYJ · 05-15-2005, 10:42 PM

The original designation was AD-1 (Attack Douglas 1) under the post war navy designation system. During the war years when it was being developed it was originally designated XBT2D-1. In the 1960s it was redesignated A-1.

evangilder · 05-15-2005, 11:47 PM

US military designations have always been one of those things that has irritated me. You get used to the way they designated in one era, then it changes for the next. But FBJ is correct for the era is was created, in Yoda speak: Attack, Douglas, 1.

BombTaxi · 05-16-2005, 09:13 AM

I understand that the designation system was standardised in 1962, so both air force and navy used common type designations. So the AD-1 became the A-1, in line with airforce attack designators.

plan_D · 05-16-2005, 11:42 AM

Okay, thanks.

I thought U.S designations were logical until now.

evangilder · 05-16-2005, 11:44 AM

Well, they make more sense now. The old WWII designations were different for the Army than the Navy. They both made sense once you understood how they worked, especially with the Navy.

BombTaxi · 05-16-2005, 12:58 PM

Yeh, the Navy ones were wierd. The Wildcat of WW2 fame was the F4F...but the Phantom (of Vietnam fame) was the F4H, while the Corsair was the F4U...then post 1962, F-4 referred to the Phantom only. Odd system!

FLYBOYJ · 05-16-2005, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BombTaxi

Yeh, the Navy ones were wierd. The Wildcat of WW2 fame was the F4F...but the Phantom (of Vietnam fame) was the F4H, while the Corsair was the F4U...then post 1962, F-4 referred to the Phantom only. Odd system!

F4A3BD-2Y

cheddar cheese · 05-16-2005, 01:04 PM

Bless you

the lancaster kicks ass · 05-19-2005, 03:19 PM

blimey!!

Nonskimmer · 05-19-2005, 05:20 PM

I will not!

HealzDevo · 05-25-2005, 04:27 AM

Yes Wierd designation system isn't it? Consider this, although the F-117 Stealth Fighter isn't really an actual fighter but more a bomber with fighter capabilities it is known as the F-117. Also the B-1B Lancer after the B-29, the B-52, the B-47, the B-50 etc.

plan_D · 05-25-2005, 04:41 AM

The F-117 is designated a fighter because they want to please the pilots into thinking they're flying a fighter. The correct designation would be A-117 or F/A-117.

evangilder · 05-25-2005, 08:55 AM

Agreed, D. They are allegedly capable of carrying air to air missiles. But for the attack role, that is where they do best.

05-15-2005, 10:32 PM	#1
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	A-1 "Skyraider" This may sound like a stupid question but; Why is the "Skyraider" designated A-1? I know the logic behind American designations but this one just doesn't fit it in. It goes backwards. The A stands for Attack and the number after is the design number like A-36 is the 36th attack design on U.S drawing boards. How is the "Skyraider" the first? Did they restart the process in the 60s? __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

05-15-2005, 10:42 PM	#3
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,049	The original designation was AD-1 (Attack Douglas 1) under the post war navy designation system. During the war years when it was being developed it was originally designated XBT2D-1. In the 1960s it was redesignated A-1. __________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"

05-15-2005, 11:47 PM	#4
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,803	US military designations have always been one of those things that has irritated me. You get used to the way they designated in one era, then it changes for the next. But FBJ is correct for the era is was created, in Yoda speak: Attack, Douglas, 1. __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

05-16-2005, 09:13 AM	#5
BombTaxi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brownhills, W. Mids, UK Posts: 1,189	I understand that the designation system was standardised in 1962, so both air force and navy used common type designations. So the AD-1 became the A-1, in line with airforce attack designators. __________________ Good generals think about tactics. Great generals think about logistics. "If freedom is to be saved and enlarged, poverty must be ended. There is no other solution." - Nye Bevan "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee" - John Donne, Meditation XVII

05-16-2005, 11:42 AM	#6
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	Okay, thanks. I thought U.S designations were logical until now. __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

05-15-2005, 10:41 PM	#2
Nonskimmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 8,871	Good question. It's like the "Century Series" fighters. F-100, F-101, F-102, and so on. My guess is just what you said: They restarted it. Why is anyone's guess. FJ or evan might know.

05-16-2005, 11:44 AM	#7
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,803	Well, they make more sense now. The old WWII designations were different for the Army than the Navy. They both made sense once you understood how they worked, especially with the Navy. __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

05-16-2005, 12:58 PM	#8
BombTaxi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Brownhills, W. Mids, UK Posts: 1,189	Yeh, the Navy ones were wierd. The Wildcat of WW2 fame was the F4F...but the Phantom (of Vietnam fame) was the F4H, while the Corsair was the F4U...then post 1962, F-4 referred to the Phantom only. Odd system! __________________ Good generals think about tactics. Great generals think about logistics. "If freedom is to be saved and enlarged, poverty must be ended. There is no other solution." - Nye Bevan "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee" - John Donne, Meditation XVII

05-16-2005, 01:04 PM	#10
cheddar cheese Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: WSM, England Posts: 20,387	Bless you

05-19-2005, 03:19 PM	#11
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	blimey!! __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

05-19-2005, 05:20 PM	#12
Nonskimmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 8,871	I will not!

05-25-2005, 04:27 AM	#13
HealzDevo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Queensland Posts: 1,249	Yes Wierd designation system isn't it? Consider this, although the F-117 Stealth Fighter isn't really an actual fighter but more a bomber with fighter capabilities it is known as the F-117. Also the B-1B Lancer after the B-29, the B-52, the B-47, the B-50 etc. __________________ http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/alb...500&ppuser=671 Link To My Picture Gallery

05-25-2005, 04:41 AM	#14
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	The F-117 is designated a fighter because they want to please the pilots into thinking they're flying a fighter. The correct designation would be A-117 or F/A-117. __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

05-25-2005, 08:55 AM	#15
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,803	Agreed, D. They are allegedly capable of carrying air to air missiles. But for the attack role, that is where they do best. __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

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