AD Skyraider Units of the Korean War

Built by Douglas to replace World War 2 dive- and torpedo-bombers, the AD Skyraider was the single most effective naval aircraft of the Korean War, despite the emergence of jet fighters during the conflict.

The Douglas AD Skyraider is considered the most effective naval aircraft of the Korean War despite the emergence of new jet fighters that were to capture public imagination. Built to replace the World War II workhorses like the Dauntless, Helldiver and Avenger dive and torpedo bombers, the Skyraider operated numerous combat missions from carrier decks and from US Marine Corps land bases throughout the conflict.

Drawing from personal interviews with AD pilots, the authors paint a harrowing picture of the deadly combat of this often forgotten air war as pilots took on Chinese and North Korean forces during daring night attacks and whilst outnumbered in daytime attacks.

About the Author

Rick Burgess is the editor or co-author of four books on US naval aviation history (including Osprey Combat Aircraft 77 - US Navy A-1 Skyraider Units of the Vietnam War, 2009). He is also a contributor to several editions of Ships and Aircraft of the US Fleet. He is a columnist for Air International magazine and his articles on military aviation have been published in numerous other periodicals and journals, including Air Forces Monthly, Wings of Gold, The Hook, Rotor Review, International Air Power Review, World Air Power Journal, Combat Aircraft, The Navy and US Naval Institute Proceedings. Rick is a retired US Navy lieutenant commander with more than 2900 flight hours as a navigator, tactical coordinator and mission commander in P-3C aircraft, and with duty on board numerous aircraft carriers, service as an intelligence officer and editorship of Naval Aviation News magazine. He has served as managing editor of Seapower magazine since 1997.

Warren Thompson has been a military aviation historian for more than 40 years. Most of his research has been focused on the Korean War and US nightfighter operations in World War 2. He has had more than 30 books published (including 12 for Osprey ), as well as numerous magazine articles. In 2011 he was recognised as 'Contributor of the Year' for the Tailhook Association. He is also a life member in the Marine Corps Aviation Association and co-founder of the Sabre Pilots' Association. He lives in Germantown, Tennessee, with his wife of 51 years.

Jim Laurier is a native of New England, growing up in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He has been drawing since he could hold a pencil and throughout his life he has worked in many mediums creating artwork on a variety of subjects. He has worked on the Osprey Aviation list since 2000, and in that time he has produced some of the finest artwork seen in these volumes.