Vietnam-Era A-4B, Skyraider to be Part of 'Salute to Veterans' at AirVenture 2010
The Warbird Heritage Foundation, of Waukegan, Illinois, will continue its regular participation at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2010, as it will bring two of its Vietnam-era aircraft — a Douglas A-4B Skyhawk jet and Douglas AD-1 Skyraider single-engine radial piston — to be part of EAA's "Salute to Veterans" commemoration at Oshkosh.

The Skyhawk was the Navy's primary light bomber during the early years in Vietnam. The Foundation's Skyhawk is the only museum-owned, single-place example in the United States, according to museum founder Paul Wood. "The aircraft is painted to represent the A-4C piloted by Lt. Cmdr. TR Swartz," Wood explained.

Swartz is credited with the Skyhawk's only air-to-air victory during Vietnam when he used an unguided Zuni rocket to shoot down a North Vietnamese Air Force MiG 17 in May 1967. Swartz told his story during a Warbirds in Review presentation in 2009.

The museum's AD-1 Skyraider is an older version, "One of the oldest remaining Skyraiders in existence," Wood said. Its paint scheme is that of the 6th Special Operations squadron that flew in Southeast Asia during Vietnam.

Enthusiasts won't want to miss seeing it this summer, as it will contain a full complement of simulated armaments, including missiles, Daisy Cutter bombs, and Gatling gun. "We're going to use all of its 15 hard points," Wood said.

The aircraft are part of the rapidly growing list of airplanes that have been committed to the Salute to Veterans activities, which is a national partnership led by EAA, the Warbirds of America, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Activities will take place throughout the AirVenture grounds during the week, including the concluding concert by actor Gary Sinise's "Lt. Dan Band" on Friday evening, July 30.

For more information about the Warbird Heritage Foundation, visit www.warbirdheritagefoundation.org.

Specifications: Douglas A-4B Skyhawk
Mfr: Douglas Aircraft
Model: A-4B
Serial: 11366/BuNo 142112
Built: 1957
N-Number: N49WH
Engines: One Curtiss Wright J-65-W-16A turbojet
Thrust: 7,700 lbs.
Length: 38 ft. 5 in.
Height: 14 ft. 11 in.
Wingspan: 27 ft. 6 in.
Empty weight: 9,146 lbs.
MTOW: 22,500 lbs.
Range: 920 miles
Ceiling: 40,000 ft.
Max speed: 661 mph
Aircraft has airborne refueling capability

Specifications: AD-1 Skyraider
Mfr: Douglas Aircraft
Model: AD-1
Serial: BuNo 09257
Built: 1947
N-Number: N2AD
Engine: 2,700 hp Wright R-3350-26WA radial piston
Length: 38 ft. 10 in.
Height: 15 ft. 8.25 in.
Wingspan: 23 ft.-11.18 in. (folded), 50 ft.-0.25 in. (extended)
Empty Weight: 10,987 lbs.
MTOW: 22,596 lbs.
Range: 900 miles
Ceiling: 25,500 ft.
Max Speed: 320 mph @ 18,000ft MSL

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