[sci.military] A1's and A10's, and rescue missions

faunt@cisco.com (Doug Faunt N6TQS 415-688-8269) (01/28/91)

From: Doug Faunt N6TQS 415-688-8269 <faunt@cisco.com>
The pair of A1E's that we had in VA-125 in 1965 to 1969 were
originally for radar training for A4 pilots, before the TA-4's were
available.  They had 6 seats, including pilot.  The right seater had
no controls.  We used them as mini-transports for support of
detachments (TWA, Teeny-Weeny Airlines).  They were probably listed as
AD's in 50's/60's publications We called them SPAD's, for "Speedy
AD's"

At least one case of A1's performing in the self-rescue mode is known,
in that one of a flight of A-1's was shot up and made a forced landing
in NVA.  Another memeber of the flight landed and picked up the pilot
of the down A/C.  I knew one of the pilots that was overhead providing
cover at the time.