A-1 Skyraider "The Spad". The Exceptional Aircraft That Could Carry 14,000 lbs of ordnance and fuel

The Douglas AD Skyraider, also known as the A-1 Skyraider is an American single-seat attack aircraft in service from 1946 to the early 1980s. The Skyraider had a remarkably long and successful career well into the Jet Age (when most piston-engined attack or fighter aircraft were replaced by Jet aircraft) thus becoming known by some as an "anachronism". The aircraft was nicknamed "Spad", after the French World War I fighter.
It was operated by the United States Navy (USN), the United States Marine Corps (USMC), and the United States Air Force (USAF), and also saw service with the British Royal Navy, the French Air Force, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF), and others. It remained in U.S. service until the early 1970s.
The jet powered A-10 Thunderbolt II was based on specifications for a modernized Skyraider with a heavy payload and good endurance.
The piston-engined propeller Skyraider was designed during World War II to meet United States Navy requirements for a carrier-based, single-seat, long-range, high performance dive/torpedo bomber, to follow on from earlier aircraft such as the Douglas SBD Dauntless, the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver and the Grumman TBF Avenger. Designed by Ed Heinemann of the Douglas Aircraft Company, prototypes were ordered on 6 July 1944 as the XBT2D-1. The XBT2D-1 made its first flight on 18 March 1945, and the USN began evaluation of the aircraft at the Naval Air Test Center (NATC) in April 1945. In December 1946, after a designation change to AD-1, delivery of the first production aircraft to a fleet squadron was made to VA-19A.
The AD-1 was built at Douglas's El Segundo plant in Southern California. In his memoir The Lonely Sky, test pilot Bill Bridgeman described the routine yet sometimes hazardous work of certifying AD-1s fresh off the assembly line at a rate of two aircraft per day for delivery to the U.S. Navy in 1949 and 1950.
A Douglas XBT2D-1 Skyraider prototype
The low-wing monoplane design started with a Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone radial engine which was later upgraded several times. The aircraft had distinctive large straight wings with seven hardpoints apiece. The Skyraider had excellent maneuverability at low speed, and carried a large amount of ordnance over a considerable combat radius. It had a long loiter time for its size, compared to much heavier subsonic or supersonic jets. The aircraft was optimized for ground attack and was armored against ground fire in key locations, unlike faster fighters adapted to carry bombs, such as the Vought F4U Corsair or North American P-51 Mustang, which were retired by U.S. forces before the 1960s.
Shortly after Heinemann began designing the XBT2D-1, a study was issued showing that for every 100 lb (45 kg) of weight reduction, the takeoff run was decreased by 8 ft (2.4 m), the combat radius increased by 22 mi (35 km) and the rate-of-climb increased by 18 ft/min (0.091 m/s). Heinemann immediately had his design engineers begin a program for finding weight savings on the XBT2D-1 design, no matter how small. Simplifying the fuel system resulted in a reduction of 270 lb (120 kg); 200 lb (91 kg) by eliminating an internal bomb bay and hanging external stores from the wings or fuselage; 70 lb (32 kg) by using a fuselage dive brake; and 100 lb (45 kg) by using an older tailwheel design. In the end, Heinemann and his design engineers achieved more than 1,800 lb (820 kg) of weight reduction on the original XBT2D-1 design.
The Navy AD series was initially painted in ANA 623 glossy sea blue, but during the 1950s, following the Korean War, the color scheme was changed to light gull grey and white (Fed Std 595 27875). Initially using the gray and white Navy scheme, by 1967 the USAF began to paint its Skyraiders in a camouflaged pattern using two shades of green, and one of tan.
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
Wingspan: 50 ft 0.25 in (15.2464 m)
Height: 15 ft 8.25 in (4.7816 m)
Wing area: 400.33 sq ft (37.192 m2)
Airfoil: root: NACA 2417; tip: NACA 4413
Empty weight: 11,968 lb (5,429 kg)
Gross weight: 18,106 lb (8,213 kg)
Fuel capacity: 380 US gal (320 imp gal; 1,400 l) internal tanks
Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-3350-26WA Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,700 hp (2,000 kW)
Propellers: 4-bladed Aeroproducts constant-speed propeller
Performance
Maximum speed: 322 mph (518 km/h, 280 kn) at 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
Cruise speed: 198 mph (319 km/h, 172 kn)
Range: 1,316 mi (2,118 km, 1,144 nmi)
Service ceiling: 28,500 ft (8,700 m)
Rate of climb: 2,850 ft/min (14.5 m/s)
Wing loading: 46.6 lb/sq ft (228 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.149 hp/lb (0.245 kW/kg)
Armament
Guns: 4x 20 mm AN/M3 cannon with 200 rounds per gun
Hardpoints: 15 external hardpoints with a capacity of 8,000 lb (3,600 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:
Other: bombs, torpedoes, mine dispensers, unguided rockets, and gun pods.
#skyrider #aircraft #warplane

[@Dronescapes]

Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes and their stories, missions: www.youtube.com/@Dronescapes

[@markelliott585]

Greetings from Colorado! Thank you so VERY much for this episode. Dronescapes climbed to the top group of my favorite aviation channels. Having been a Bob Hoover from early adolescence and going to the annual airshow at Andrews in DC area. I'm grateful for your efforts to keep aviation history alive-as history is today and always very much alive. Great episode regarding one of the saddest but most significant portions of US history and international relations.

[@averagejoe1943]

If you could you should do a short video maybe 5 minutes on the A-1 being launched off a carrier with a used toilet on one of its wing stations!!!! 🤣🤣🤣 sailors have a great sense of humor!

[@robertstimpfling5385]

Its there a toilet strapped to the starboard hard point?????hhahahahs

[@armysoldierant]

Wow

[@Shong9432]

My dad was a skyraider pilot in Vietnam, Major San Hong (Hồng Khắc San). Great memory when watching this video 👍❤️👍

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍👍

[@josephnason8770]

Awesome. South Vietnam Air Force. My dad flew them in Korea from a carrier for the USN. Lieutenant Edward M Nason.

[@Shong9432]

@@davefellhoelter1343, thank you 🙏 I was 8 in 1975 when VN war ended 😜

[@deepbludude4697]

@@Shong9432 My dad did one tour 68/69 as a Spad pilot, then stationed at Hurlburt teaching South Vietnamese pilots to fly this biird!

[@USS_Grey_Ghost]

The first plane to get a Air to Air gun kill in Vietnam against a Mig 17

[@kenf4837]

I was a crew chief on the the A-1E Skyraider at NKP in 1968/69. Best plane I worked on during my time in the Airforce! I couldn't believe the number of bullet holes they would have when they'd come back from a mission! I'm 78 years old now, but I still, fondly, remember that A-1E!!

[@Dronescapes]

Thank,you for your service, and for sharing your experience

[@CapnRobert2000]

My father-in-law, Lt. Lance Eagan, was a Jolly Green pilot in 1968/69. He flew out of 37th ARRS and 40th ARRS.

[@falconmoose5435]

Welcome home brother. The SOG needed you.

[@B25gunship]

As a 75 year old Vietnam era veteran and a big big fan of the Skyraider, this was a fantastic piece. Great pictures but even greater stories of the men closely associated with the aircraft and many stories you will never hear anywhere except from those who were there. Great job all. Hand salute!!!

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍🙏🇺🇸

[@Sp3c817]

My grandpa fought in nam

[@gotchagoing4905]

I flew two tours in Vietnam, my second was up on the DMZ, 71-72. I was part of an Air Cavalry troop stationed up there, and was the 'Hunter' in a Hunter-killer team. During both tours, I witnessed the unreal capabilities of the "Spad-Flying dump truck-Sandy, etc many times. I always marveled as to how long they could stay 'on station' and they never seemed to run out of ordinance to shoot, or drop. Just amazing what those skilled pilots could do with that particular aircraft. I thank you all of the 'spad drivers' who may read this, and I offer a very humble, "thank you", for saving my ass MANY TIMES. A slow hand salute to all of you. God bless.

[@Dronescapes]

Welcome home

[@ThePrader]

We fail to recognize the huge contribution the Douglas company has given to the USA. The "Spad" was a lifesaver for many US military personnel. They were pretty much gone by the time I was commissioned as an Ensign. But by then (1977) we had the little A-4 that deserves to be remembered as well. My CO flew the A-4 in Vietnam and he took a hit, a bad one. Captain Conner (USN) flew that tiny jet, upside-down, home to our ship. He became a legend. Never forget what these men did! I never will.

[@johnspurrell1200]

Ed Heinmann, Mr Attack, designed a great deal of successful designs. The Dauntless not the Beast, the Son of A Bitch second class, the SBD not the SB2C sank the carrirers at Midway. The Skyraider was a Heinemsnn design, as was the F4D, tbe scooter, Heinemann's hot rod.

[@martinrichards2680]

My father was in a Scottish regiment during the Korean war. He said the allied pilots were so brave and saves their skins many times

[@ironduke5058]

What a chonky, beauty of a plane. If the Skyraider had an ancient equivalent it would be a charging war horse

[@michaelfuller2153]

Years ago I spoke with a former Skyraider pilot. He said, "We called it the flying dump truck." It could haul a load.

[@josephgrosso8731]

Testament to American ingenuity and most of all, skill, dedication and bravery of our pilots! God Bless all our sailors, airmen and troops!!

[@mikewithers299]

I'm still learning about the Vietnam War. Born in '62 loving all things aviation, I built a model of this plane but never really looked up it's long history. Thank you first to our veterans who served especially in Nam who gave everything to save the South Vietnam people and endure the scorn of their own American people. What a hell hole that must have been. Thank you to this channel to show the real life of American pilots during that war and the planes that were used to get the job done. Awesome video!!🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@markelliott585]

Greetings from Colorado! Yes, Southeast Asia is one of the saddest and most significant portions of US international relations in the modern era. So keep studying history but with your eyes open. History is always alive. So very much history is written by the victors. The incredible mess that is US foreign policy and relations from 1945-1975 hasn't gotten better. But it is being rewritten, as history always is. De-classification of historical documents will continue. But nothing is more important than learning history and accepting and carrying the messages taught. Like I'm pro-gun rights but anti-idiots. I'm all about Democracy but as long as campaign finance is unlimited, we're pHuKkd. Pro-life and pro-choice need not be enemies. On n' on. La La La...

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍🙏

[@waynefletcher9884]

I was born in 1962 also and two of my older brothers volunteered and the oldest served in Vietnam from 1966 to 71 as a Marine, and my second oldest brother served from 1970-76 in the United States Army in wiesbaden Germany.

[@cbroz7492]

..was that model the Revell kit in that bastard scale if 1/43rd scale???

[@mikewithers299]

@cbroz7492 I'm sure it was a Revell model but forgot what scale. It was a long time ago. It had lots of moving parts and way to difficult for me back then

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Thanx for providing us old school folk these docco’s.

[@andypbj267]

The best attack aircraft in history. The A10 is a close second. I would love to own one of these beasts. All the best technology from the piston aircraft era.

[@chrisclark5204]

Out of all the piston engine aircraft of their time, the F4U Corsair and A1 Skyraider are my favorites.

[@bobrobert319]

Probably the best piston engined attack aircraft ever produced. Extremely durable and excellent loiter time on target. I would give a piece of my anatomy to be able to own one today.

[@jtjames79]

Road trip to Chad? I too would give a piece of your anatomy to be able to own one today.

[@averagejoe1943]

@@jtjames79 I agree with you, The A-1 Skyraider is probably the best! Able to carry more that it’s own weight!!! Including a used toilet off a carrier!

[@jtjames79]

@@averagejoe1943 You caught that too @ 4:30 😂

[@bernardedwards8461]

Which piece, an unmentionable piece? Who would you give it to, and would the rest of you still be attached to it??

[@usafvet100]

Believe it or not, a pair of SPADs took out a Mig17 during the Vietnam War.

[@infoscholar5221]

My eldest brother joined the Navy in '64, as a structural mechanic, years after he retired, we were touring the USS Alabama Air & Naval Museum, and in one of the buildings there, an A-1 was on display. He laughed and pointed it out to me. "See this old girl? I worked on many of them, when I was nineteen or so." RIP, brother.

[@Dronescapes]

Bless him

[@averagejoe1943]

As a kid, my grandad had a book aircraft of the Vietnam war, and the A-1 in it single seat, and multi seat aircraft was my favorite! I would draw, and color the A-1 when it was raining, then at the age of 32 finally saw it in person! There’s nothing like it in the world. Wish more were saved, but very thankful that some were saved!

[@gentlemanzackp6591]

tech friend of mine flew 20 years old A-6 in the 1980s and during first gulf war. His mentor /2nd pilot flew A-1H's and he told me, A-1H would make anyone smile ear to ear whenever they see one on deck, wings up or down. They were legendary. after the war and service. He was invited to go to a car show slash air show. He couldnt believe his eyes that his friend managed to get ahold of an AD-5 by some flying firm based out of St. Louis. Apparently the firm was looking for former A-1 and its variants pilots. it was all blue, multiple seater AD-5 from idk 1950s

[@tim7052]

I built a model of one, but never realised the sheer SIZE of this aircraft!! IT'S HUGE!! I saw the one at the Vietnam Museum of War Relics - my God, what a gorgeous aircraft the SPAD is!! 👍

[@thurstn967]

Just came home super tire. Turn on youtube, this show popup- Starting to watch, I am deeply touching the stories from many servicemen. The men and woman who served in South Vietnam, they are forever hero to us- refugees, we are grateful for theirs extended arms with dedications. They are individual citizens made America greatest nation for endless refugees resettlement. My parents served in the south Vietnam along with CIA. We paid dearly after the fall of Saigon in 1975.

[@Dronescapes]

❤🙏👍

[@Bill_H]

We've just finished restoration of an A1-H Skyraider and it's on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton Ohio in the Southeast Asia gallery. Volunteering this Saturday.

[@Dronescapes]

👍♥️👍

[@robertschaeffer5861]

Thanks to the pilots of the A-1s for what did for my Company under fire. Fantastic accurate fire power at extremely close range.

[@rolandcanacolo6870]

I am a proud mechanic of Douglas Products C47 - Super DC3 with Wright 1820 9 cylinder radials, MJRM Martin Mars Wright 3350 radials DC 4 Sky master and Basler DC3 with PWAC PT 6 turbines the A1 is my all time favorite

[@aaaht3810]

The A-1 was a beast. Love the early aircraft painted all navy blue.

[@secularbeast1751]

Beast of an aircraft.

[@sanyoshi3466]

ベトナム戦争中にAｰ1スカイレーダーは様々な任務に付き多くの兵士達をサポートし救ってきました。兵装のメニューも豊富でダンプトラックと呼ばれました。サンディーの愛称がしっくりきます。スペシャルデリバリーサービスをありがとうございました。🙇‍♂

[@brightargyle8950]

I would have been the happiest man in the world if I had been able to pilot one of these beasts. These planes rank up there as one of my favorites. The stories I have heard and read about are truly inspiring.

[@Yardbird68]

My absolute FAVORITE prop driven American plane, hands down! LOVE' em when they are totally dirty, from the exhaust staining and the other various oil leaks.

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

The Skyraider is one of my favorite planes. I've built several models of them in both 1/48 and 1/32 scale.

[@adamrodgers2377]

Thank you for your service and keeping the history of these Aircraft and Men going so people don't ever forget! I started looking at this Video for the A1 but came away thankful I heard some of these Men's story's. 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@Dronescapes]

👍🇺🇸

[@jointheir7897]

I remember meeting my dad at the aircraft carrier where the flight deck was full of this aircraft in Alameda, California. He was attached to many squadrons that flew this aircraft then he transitioned to the A-7 when he got transferred to Key West, Florida. He saw the A-7 in it's infancy to just before it was replaced with the FA-18.

[@lucianomaffini3684]

Im italian..the documentary is very beautifull!!! ONORE E GLORIA HAI PILOTI AMERICANI! SEMPRE FEDELI 🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@danielweyant1461]

My dad flew them as well. USN '58 & '59 (born '36) -he sure got out at a good time! I have a triptic of the 3 planes he flew; Mentor, Trojan, and Skyraider, and his carrier qualification card (USS Antietam)

[@Dronescapes]

👍

[@johnevans6943]

you must be very proud,

[@alpha51omega38]

An amazing aircraft with long history of use. Most powerful prop engine plane to ever take off from a carrier and carried a load as demonstrated, that was bigger than what two B-17's could carry in WWII. Think of the A-10 as the bigger, more mature brother that took over the job.

[@stevelee6283]

Love those A-1…especially there weapons..loves from the South Vietnam.

[@Not_A_Cat]

War is hell. Politicians send their young men to commit evil acts against a "deserving" enemy. And yet, true warriors are the greatest of men. Thank you all for your service, Sandy pilots and all who've served.

[@unpob]

Many years ago and my memory may be failing me by now but I recall them dropping napalm across the field from us at the base of the hill. It was always an awesome sight

[@cocomix9718]

Amazing aircraft, for endurance and survivability in it's role on the battlefield it was second to none.

[@stevehofer3482]

I was listening to this video, and I thought, ‘That guy has such a great voice. He sounds like David Hartman.” Much to my surprise - it is David Hartman. Well done, lads.

[@jamesdistler7067]

They laid a lot firepower.I was in Vietnam 67 to 68 as Recon 11 Delta when we called them it turned the tide a lot of times.

[@thomasbernecky2078]

A story I've never heard about a plane I came to love when I really learned about it's history. Thanks for everything here, men.

[@benwah3593]

What a wonderful story. Since I was a young boy was my favorite plane. I remember seeing them on TV news of Vietnam war reports we always watched the daily reports as we had several extended family over there at any one time in Army, Navy and Air Force. My dad was an air traffic controller during the Korean conflict, I built models of all sorts of WWII planes but my favorite was always the Skyraider. None before or since could do what an A1 could. Truly GREAT PLANE!!

[@JuanSanchez-zg7ti]

i was an a-1 mechanic at pleiku from jan to dec 1969 with the 6th sos and worked on 606 wiley coyote quite a few times. my friend a1-c gutierrez was the crew chief. very glad to see it survived the war.

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you for your service Juan

[@toddbalcerak6253]

Hands down most badass plane ever

[@johnhebbe5544]

It’s been a while. Since 1962 as a matter of fact. I flew the AD-6…or the A1H…for years. Let me put it this way. On a Friday evening, given the choice of going out with the most attractive lady in town . . . this or getting some more time in that cockpit . . . especially night time. I’d opt for the SPAD in a heartbeat. Saved my life after two horrendous crashes. Flew through a pine tree once on a low level and, later, survived a night carrier launce following a crash into three tied-down Crusaders and tearing the outer half of my left wing off. Does it sound as if I’m in love with this plane? I was. Oh, and my longest flight in this (according to my log book), was 11.3 hours. The limitation was oil and not gas. Bombload? I recall his limit as having been 10,500 lbs. I’ll check my manual later but I’m sure I’m right. I flew several planes over a 51 year career and this was my all-time favorite.

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍 Thank you for your service John!

[@JuanSanchez-zg7ti]

I was a Crew Chief with the 6th SOS, Pleiku, Vietnam in 1969. Best aircraft I ever worked on .

[@garyhooper1820]

Thanks to our Veterans , Bless you all .

[@marcwesley8513]

@DroneScapes..thank you for posting this fantastic video, especially the personal interviews and where those historic Skyraiders are now. I’m a retired A&P mechanic and worked a few years for Captain Bubba ( aka Skyraider Bob) when 39606 was owned by Bob Grondzyk (R.I.P.) of San Diego, Ca., He had told me some of the history of his plane, but not like the first hand account from Roger Youngblood, wow, what a fantastic account, just amazing, thank you Roger and Jack and all military vets past, present and future. For me to know it’s been restored, repainted and flying and in a great museum is very heart warming and gratifying. I loved working on this plane, frustrating at times, especially the replacement of the internal fuel bladder, very complex airplane, but built like a tank. While providing ground support to Captn. Bubba during startup, when that huge R-3350 came to life and idled, it literally shook the tarmac, I could feel the vibration under my feet being a few feet away from the engine and massive prop…what a rush, anyone who’s been around large radial engines while running, know what I mean…some of the best times of my aviation career. Thanks Jim Cavanaugh and your incredible museum for taking over care and custody of this amazing piece of military and humanitarian history, and Ken Holston for lovingly flying her and allowing her to create those beautiful aerodynamic oil streaks down the sides of her fuselage…..Captn. Bob would yell at anyone who’d try to wipe them off….he’d say…..”damn….now I gotta make those all over again”….. and with his big grin tanned face and white hair, slip on his helmet, slide into the cockpit….into the blue yonder he’d go…. thanks Captn. Bubba, many thanks…..Clear Blue Skies and Endless Heavens above !

[@arthurbachmann3117]

Thank you. Happy you came home.

[@georgesheffield1580]

Always glad to see /hear a spad on top cover .

[@ronjones1077]

Great work! Thanks to everyone who served. GOD Bless from Alaska

[@marksimmons7972]

I was stationed at Nakhon Phantom in 1969 as a Security Police Dog Handler . The A 1s would Ferry ordinance back and forth to drop on the Ho Chi Trail all night long. We were the closest airbase to the Trail. Also the closest to Hanoi!

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you for your service Mark and thank you for sharing your memories as well!

[@jeanbailliez6199]

I fire the last live ordnance in February 1979, with an AD4 France had given to the tchad air force, the other pilot of the 2 ships mission die in. 2018

[@markelliott585]

Greetings from Colorado! Thank you so VERY much for this episode. Dronescapes climbed to the top group of my favorite aviation channels. Having been a Bob Hoover from early adolescence and going to the annual airshow at Andrews in DC area. I'm grateful for your efforts to keep aviation history alive-as history is today and always very much alive. Great episode regarding one of the saddest but most significant portions of US history and international relations.

[@thisisus.504]

Absolutely fascinating documentary. Thanks, from a now well informed chap from the UK.

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lockheedskunkworks5687]

It was a bad ass aircraft

[@pabloastudillo6903]

Saved my bacon over the DMZ- love this Sandies - Thank You

[@CapnRobert2000]

What did you fly?

[@pabloastudillo6903]

@@CapnRobert2000 i was in special operations group- Quang Tri and the DMZ- we called on the Sandies for ground support

[@M60gunner1971]

Wonderful aircraft!

[@thomasharroun8068]

The A-1 Skyraider received numerous nicknames including: Spad and Super Spad , Able Dog, the Destroyer , Hobo, Zorro, The Big Gun, Old Faithful , Old Miscellaneous, Fat Face, Guppy, Q-Bird, Flying Dumptruck, Sandy, & Crazy Water Buffalo. The A1 had the most names of any aircraft ever designed

[@jamessveinsson6006]

I like the name water buffalo or fat face

[@josephnason8770]

And the flying dump truck.

[@markmclaughlin2690]

That’s my favorite the flying dump truck

[@dragonmeddler2152]

Sandie. Where that one came from I don't know.

[@georgwilliams]

In memory of my father Major Robert Cyril Williams Pilot USAF.

[@Dronescapes]

Bless him George!

[@josephnason8770]

I am awed by Mr. Youngblood's story. Incredible. Another astonishing story centered around the Skyraider is the book My Secret War by Richard S. Drury. He was a search and rescue pilot in Vietnam.

[@miguellogistics984]

Great story. I do wonder why the Sky Raiders mattered to be saved, and moved so quickly. Using Digital Media, I would have loved to see a movie of all of the field activity and landings on that day. Madness

[@hillbilly4christ638]

This was the epitome of propeller driven aircraft for military use.

[@eddiecharles6457]

"Fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history." - Flight of the Intruder

[@johnhebbe5544]

I should add. When we climbed into this machine, we didn't strap ourselves in, we strapped this plane onto our backs. Custom made fit. The plane was never in control. We were.

[@CapnRobert2000]

What years were you in Viet’nam?

[@johnhebbe5544]

1967-68@@CapnRobert2000

[@johnhebbe5544]

But it was in the A4E then.@@CapnRobert2000

[@gijoenumberone]

I joined the US Navy in March of 1968. I was trained as a ADR (Aviation Machinist Mate, Reciprocal - i.e. Piston). We trained on the side-by-side seating A-1E in Memphis TN which were no longer flight-worthy and strapped to the ground. I loved going through the "pre-flight" starting procedures and feeling the power of the 18 cylinder R3350 engine. Unfortunately, I was never able to work on them since the Navy no longer used them in combat.

[@dragonmeddler2152]

My first cruise ('66-'67 VA-192 in USS Ticonderoga, we had an A-1 squadron in our CAG. VA-52. Their Spads had a big spikey mace painted in blue on the side. Always thought it was a fitting symbol for this bird.

[@vascoribeiro69]

Awesome! Thanks for your service!

[@ClearedHot470]

The Spad has always been at the top of my list for favorites! She's a fantastic aircraft all around!

[@Dronescapes]

👍

[@shawnomack45]

Love seeing the sky raiders at air shows. They are much bigger than the video makes them seem. I have always been a jet guy. But older I get more I like the older planes. Great vid

[@badguy5554]

I was at Tan Son Nhut (Saigon) in 71 and 7 2. I saw Sandies (A-1's) taking off from there during that time. Years later I saw many C-47's in Thailand at Bangkok's International Airport.

[@TheTryingDutchman]

35:30 thats an awesome shot, propellor planes and helicopters combined

[@ronlackey2689]

I love military aircraft and can't for the life of me decide on my top five. Heck, I can even divide it up into prop and jet favorites and still can't decide. I can divide it further into prop and jet fighters and bombers and there's still no way I can pick just five. Just when I think I'm getting close, I see your video on this plane and it's back to square one. Did the same thing with a P 61 Black Widow video I watched just before this. I seemed to have forgotten about these two beauties!

[@CraigBlevins-bx9kh]

Thanks, I like this history.

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

One of my favorite Aircraft. I took a ride in one at a local Air show.10 or so years ago. Some of the best money I ever spent on pure fun. If your in Utah you can see a Airfare version just like it at the Hill Air force base Museum A side by side Pilot Co Pilot or Reo. With two rear seats . I Belgrave it's a Trainer .Looks like the one on the web that got me to the video

[@anydaynow01]

The A-10s cool uncle! Saved a lot of USA lives in Vietnam by being slow and low to loiter near a hot spot the hit and get jets couldn't.

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍

[@MikeG42]

Damn good aircraft ! Thanks DroneScapes for this excellent video. 🙂👍

[@Dronescapes]

👍🙏

[@Scotts_Status]

Excellent video!

[@Dronescapes]

🙏

[@phann860]

A good presentation, it is surprising (or not) that sometimes aircraft that are deemed to be out of date can still perform duties that they are the best at.

[@thelastdruidofscotland]

I saw one that was an air ambulance variant, it could carry 4 stretcher's or 8 passengers internally

[@Nebulachadlazzar]

My great grandpa flew f105 thunder chiefs over vietnam it still fascinates me about the things these pilots had to do

[@Dronescapes]

Bless him!

[@Nebulachadlazzar]

@@Dronescapes even though I personally never got to meet him i’m glad I can hear stories and people appreciate all that he did thank you 💕.

[@CapnRobert2000]

What was your great-grandfather’s name?

[@kil-roy]

Pawns of the neocons, and proud to do it!

[@genebohannon8820]

The only pilots with bigger anatomy between their loins than Sandies were the chopper crews.

[@CapnRobert2000]

Google “Scotch 3 Rescue” for an epic rescue story. My father-in-law, Lance Eagan, was the Jolly Green pilot that ultimately picked up the downed pilot.

[@user-kg4oq7jt8h]

ABH3 boatswain mate here I lived and breathed these plans. fueled them, armed them. shot them off and washed them, and hid in them to get some sleep. they were bad to the bone.

[@emuseu2235]

my father was in the first air commando flying this plane Vietnam/Southeast Asia 1967-1969 but they were nicknamed Hobos. I have never heard them discussed all these years later.(Hobos)

[@CapnRobert2000]

What bases was he stationed at?

[@raymondyee2008]

Ah yes the plane that made fighter jet pilots in Vietnam so envious when it came to ground attack and CAS.

[@pedalingthru2719]

My pop flew a skyraider off the coral sea in 65 and 66

[@miketwomey4923]

I am so amazed that a plane like this could have carried more than a B-17. I now have more respect for this plane...

[@user-gk9lg5sp4y]

LOVE the Spad!

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍

[@b01tact10n]

Gotta love military aviation 😁

[@ronlackey2689]

Just imagine the lives saved if we could go back in history and replace the B -17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator (planes I love) with the Spad. A 14,000 pound bombload was nearly triple that of these bombers on a long mission (5,000 lbs) and almost double on a shorter one (8,000). The B-24 and B-17 had over double the range of a Spad though (3750 to 1550). The best part, 1 pilot in the Spad vs. 13 pilots and crew in the B-17 and B-24. A total of 57, 205 bomber crewmen died in WW II, a 46% mortality rate. Just think of the brave crewmen that could have been saved.

[@patthewoodboy]

Beast

[@adameckard4591]

A design overnight, and all without computers.

[@eddiecharles6457]

The A-10s grand-daddy.

[@kathyyoung1774]

My cousin Air Force Major Carl B. Light flew these in Nam. He was shot down over North Vietnam on his second tour but was rescued the next day. He said he was told he had the most expensive rescue of the war. Another plane was lost trying to rescue him, and those pilots had to be rescued. He made it home uninjured.

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you for sharing their story

[@CapnRobert2000]

What year was he shot down?

[@Ubique2927]

I made a 1:72 model of this plane with a full load of ordinance. It was by far he heaviest 1:72nd model single engined aircraft I ever made.

[@Dronescapes]

👍

[@zhuangsaur227]

For some reason also I am reminded of Johnny Cashs I been Everywhere Man song when I see A1 Skyraiders flying its as if the pilots have been Everywhere

[@ericlakota1847]

Would think their would be alot of those planes in persenel collections like how it's prop plane and 2 people could sit side by side ski riders are awsome

[@beatmet2355]

I always heard the Wright Cyclone engines were unreliable, at least for B-29s. Had their reliability been improved by the Korean and Vietnam Wars? Great, informative video, BTW

[@gearmonkey5904]

Heroes

[@zhengsng6203]

This beauty should have to get her some good upgrades and modernization, upgrade to more advanced fire control systems and avionics , and she could active service till now as the B-52s if do so..