View of testing of the SKYTOP I egress system using an A-1E Skyraider at Naval Weapons Center (NWC) China Lake, California c 1970
According to the Joe Baugher’s Pages 135188 (c/n 10265) originally accepted by the U.S.N. from Douglas at El Segundo, California on June 23, 1955 and assigned to VC-11 NAS North Island, California.
During the next four years, the Skyraider served aboard the U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18), the U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12) and the U.S.S. Shangri La (CV-38) between shore assignments before being placed in storage at Litchfield Park, Arizona on December 29 1959.
On November 30 1962, the Skyraider was re-designated EA-1E while still in storage and stricken from the books in March 1963. However, with the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, it was reinstated into service and assigned to VAW-33 serving aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid and U.S.S. Wasp. While on the Wasp the aircraft was overhauled again when its radome was removed and the airframe modified and re-designated A-1E. Initially assigned to VA-122 at N.A.S. Lemoore, California, it later served aboard the U.S.S. Kittyhawk and then went to VAQ-33 at Quonset Point as a utility and training aircraft.
Finally, the Skyraider was sent to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Centre February 1970. There it remained until Roy Stafford acquired the aircraft in 1989. at Olympic Flight Museum, Olympia WA. Still airworthy.
Reported May 1989 dismantled at Chino, CA. Was acquired by civilian user and given serial N188BP, went through several owners. Registration N188RH reserved Sep 5, 2008, taken up Oct 1, 2008. In 2012 was with the Collings Foundation.
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