During 1943 the U.S. Bureau of Aeronautics thought to combine the tasks of torpedo bomber and dive-bomber into one. A few aircraft manufacturers, such as Douglas and Martin, had been requested to build up a large, single-seat attack aircraft. Based on the requirement, Douglas Aircraft business, Inc. The development was started in very early July 1944, and all night efforts of designers made the very first prototype's very first flight possible currently on March 18, 1945. Despite of the short period of the development, trip studies proved the airframe's journey traits satisfactory additionally the aircraft was rated extremely highly. In-may 1945 a letter of intent for 598 manufacturing had been finalized. The title "Skyraider" had been formally authorized the aircraft in February regarding the following 12 months, as well as the distribution to units had been started at the end of the same 12 months. The Skyraider was running on Wright R3350 radial engine yielding 2,800 hp and built with three large plunge brakes regarding the fuselage. The Skyraider had numerous types, from AD-1 to AD-7, recording grand final number of production in excess of 3,000. One of them, AD-6 was the most produced variant. The advertising designation the Skyraider was changed in 1962, plus the AD-6 became the A-1H. Noted because of its durability and a large capacity for external stores, the Skyraider had been well liked by its pilots and crewman.
