lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov (Hugh LaMaster -- RCS) (01/24/91)
From: Hugh LaMaster -- RCS <lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov> Twice in the last two years I have heard of a small propeller plane of apparently 50's vintage used in Vietnam until 1968 or so. This plane was for ground attack and infantry support roles. The Air Force apparently referred to it as the "A-1". My questions are: 1) Who made it? 2) What other designations did it have? 3) Why can't I find it in Jane's in the 50's or 60's? Where should I look? I *have* looked at the Grumman S-2 and its variants in Jane's. As far as I can tell, the A-1 was not an S-2 variant. Does anyone know *for sure* about the A-1? Hugh LaMaster, M/S 233-9, UUCP: ames!lamaster NASA Ames Research Center Internet: lamaster@ames.arc.nasa.gov Moffett Field, CA 94035 With Good Mailer: lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov Phone: 415/604-6117
lamaster@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov (Hugh LaMaster) (01/25/91)
From: Hugh LaMaster <lamaster@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov> I recently posted a query. Thanks to the many people who responded. The A-1 was, indeed, a later designation for the Douglas Skyraider, and can be found in the books most easily under that designation. Jane's refers to it as the Douglas AD. I assume A-1 is a Vietname-era designation. Several replies referred to it as the Spad or Spud. This may have been referring to its shape or something else. In any case, the aircraft was not as small as I thought, and was frequently used a medium-sized ground support bomber/attack aircraft in both Korea, and Vietnam. I gather that it was phased out as the A-6 came on line. Again, thanks for all the replies. -Hugh LaMaster Hugh LaMaster, M/S 233-9, UUCP: ames!lamaster NASA Ames Research Center Internet: lamaster@ames.arc.nasa.gov Moffett Field, CA 94035 With Good Mailer: lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov Phone: 415/604-6117
fiddler@Eng.Sun.COM (Steve Hix) (01/25/91)
From: fiddler@Eng.Sun.COM (Steve Hix) In article <1991Jan24.031938.17564@cbnews.att.com>, lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov (Hugh LaMaster -- RCS) writes: > > > From: Hugh LaMaster -- RCS <lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov> > > Twice in the last two years I have heard of a small propeller plane of > apparently 50's vintage used in Vietnam until 1968 or so. This plane > was for ground attack and infantry support roles. The Air Force > apparently referred to it as the "A-1". My questions are: Douglas A-1 Skyraider (original Navy designation AD-1). Also called "Spad" or "Sandy". Small...single-engined, yes. It's payload was close to that of a B-17. Compared to jets, it had much greater loiter time for ground-support missions. The recent film "Flight of the Intruder" has some Skyraiders flying support near the end of the film. (For once you see real A-1's, rather than T-6's playing the role of Yet Another Round-Engined Fighter.) -- ------------ The only drawback with morning is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day. ------------
jem3@bellcore.bellcore.com (John E McKillop) (01/27/91)
From: pyuxf!jem3@bellcore.bellcore.com (John E McKillop) In article <1991Jan24.031938.17564@cbnews.att.com> lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov (Hugh LaMaster -- RCS) writes: > >Twice in the last two years I have heard of a small propeller plane of >apparently 50's vintage used in Vietnam until 1968 or so. This plane >was for ground attack and infantry support roles. The Air Force >apparently referred to it as the "A-1". My questions are: > The Douglas A-1 was developed for the USN in the late 40's and was designated the AD-1 thru -6 I believe. In Nov 62 (??), the new combined service designations went into effect and the AD became the A-1. Some late model A-1's were transferred to the USAF in the 60's for use as a ground support aircraft in Vietnam. The USAF nickname for this aircraft was "Sandy".
al.weaver@rose.toronto.edu (01/28/91)
From: al.weaver@rose.toronto.edu
Hugh LaMaster -- RCS <lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov> writes:
%
%Twice in the last two years I have heard of a small propeller plane of
%apparently 50's vintage used in Vietnam until 1968 or so. This plane
%was for ground attack and infantry support roles. The Air Force
%apparently referred to it as the "A-1". My questions are:
%
%1) Who made it?
%
%2) What other designations did it have?
%
%3) Why can't I find it in Jane's in the 50's or 60's? Where should
%I look?
It was built as the AD-1 Skyraider for the U.S. Navy by Douglas
Aircraft in 1945, and saw service in the Korean Conflict. Around 1962.
it was re-designated A-1. The U.S.A.F. became interested in them in the
Vietnam era as a battlefield support weapon, so some were transferred
from the Navy to them. There were various versions, including a
multi-seat variant. You should be able to find it in Jane's. Perhaps
you should check the 1940s editions. There are other books on the
aircraft but I can't think of any off-hand.
al.weaver@rose.uucp
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