XBT2D-1N Skyraider

The Douglas XBT2D‑1N Skyraider, initially designated the AD‑1, entered service in 1946 as a single‑engine, carrier‑borne attack aircraft that would become one of the longest‑used combat planes in U.S. naval history. Developed from the World War II era A‑1/A‑26 prototype, the Skyraider first flew on March 18, 1945 and was quickly adopted by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for its unrivaled payload capacity, endurance and versatility. Powered by a robust Pratt & Whitney R‑2800‑10W Double Wasp radial engine delivering 2,000 hp, the aircraft could carry up to 8 000 lb of ordnance—including rockets, bombs, torpedoes and napalm—on 15 internal and external stations, while still achieving a range of over 1,300 nm. Its large, sturdy airframe allowed low‑level, night‑time and all‑weather operations, and the “N” variant added upgraded avionics and a radar set for night‑attack missions. The Skyraider proved decisive in Korea, Vietnam and numerous Cold‑War conflicts, often out‑performing faster jets in close‑air‑support roles. Its ability to loiter for hours, deliver precise firepower, and operate from austere carriers cemented its legacy as a workhorse of mid‑20th‑century naval aviation, influencing later multi‑role attack designs.