DOUGLAS SKYRAIDER AE-1, BOMB RACK ACCESS HATCH

The Douglas Skyraider was one of the last operational piston-engine attack aircraft in service with US forces during the transformative era into the new jet age.

Originally designed as a new generation, carrier-based ground-attack dive/torpedo bomber, it followed the highly successful Douglas SBD Dauntless, Curtiss Helldiver and the Grumman TBF Avenger of WWII.

Introduced a year after the conclusion of WWII, the Skyraider quickly became the primary USN attack aircraft during the Korean War, due to its ability to carry more than double the ordinance of the updated WWII fighter, the Vought F4U Corsair (as shown in the image below:)

Unlike the Corsair and the remaining P-51s that were pressed into service during the start of the Korean War, the Skyraider was both heavily armed and heavily armoured against ground fire. It was also highly manoeuvrable at low speeds even with a full bomb load, which made it extremely versatile across a range of operational missions.

Remarkably, the Skyraider could had a heavier bomb load than the iconic WWII four-engined heavy bomber, the B-17. With 15 removable ‘hard-point’ pods beneath its thick wings, it could carry a wide range of ordinance - from general-purpose fragmentation and white phosphorous bombs to napalm canisters, rockets and cluster bombs.

The Skyraider's two larger, inner hard-point pods or ‘Stubs’ could also carry either two x 150 gall drop tanks (with 3rd mounted directly under the cockpit fuselage); two x 2000 lb bombs, or two mini-gatling guns, with their controls, attachments and mini bomb hoists, accessed via this small ’twist-lock’ hatch on their outer faces.

This is an original ’Stub’ Access Hatch removed from an operational USN, carrier-launched Skyraider and features Drop Tank Attachment instructions on its inside face as well as external stencilling.

Mounted on its 100 yr old Mango wood base with an engraved plaque, this Skyraider Access Hatch also comes with a beautiful, custom built 1/72 scale model or the larger, more heavily detailed 1/48 model of the Douglas AE-1 Skyraider. Perched atop its base-mounted magnetic arm, this amazing original Korean/Vietnam War collectable also comes complete with a detailed, laminated colour Fact Sheet with photos and description, making it an incredible gift for any aviation enthusiast.   

This Douglas Skyraider Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit. 

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