 | A-1 "Skyraider"| Post-War Discuss A-1 "Skyraider" in the Other Eras forums; This may sound like a stupid question but; Why is the "Skyraider" designated A-1?
I know the ... |
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05-15-2005, 09:32 PM
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#1 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,061
Country:  | 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. | 
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05-15-2005, 09:41 PM
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#2 | | He who does not skim
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,957
Country:  | 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. | |
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05-15-2005, 09:42 PM
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#3 | | IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 13,587
Country:  | 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. 
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05-15-2005, 10:47 PM
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#4 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,880
Country: | 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 Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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05-16-2005, 08:13 AM
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#5 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hove, UK
Posts: 309
Country: | 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.
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05-16-2005, 10:42 AM
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#6 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,061
Country: | 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. | |
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05-16-2005, 10:44 AM
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#7 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,880
Country: | 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 Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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05-16-2005, 11:58 AM
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#8 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hove, UK
Posts: 309
Country: | 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!
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05-16-2005, 12:03 PM
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#9 | | IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA
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Country: | 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 
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05-16-2005, 12:04 PM
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#10 | | Konfused with a 'K'
Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Turin, Italy
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Country:  | Bless you 
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05-19-2005, 02:19 PM
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#11 | | Master of Ewes
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Country: | blimey!!
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05-19-2005, 04:20 PM
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#12 | | He who does not skim
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Country: | I will not! | |
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05-25-2005, 03:27 AM
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#13 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Queensland
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Country:  | 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. | |
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05-25-2005, 03:41 AM
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#14 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,061
Country: | 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. | |
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05-25-2005, 07:55 AM
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#15 | | "Shooter"
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 12,880
Country: | 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 Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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