Hobby Master HA2917 | Douglas A-1H Skyraider 412, VA-176, USS Intrepid, 1966

The A-1 Skyraider originated as a carrier-based torpedo and dive bomber. Deliveries as the AD-1 to the Navy began in November 1946 and in 1962 was renamed A-1. It was the first single-seat torpedo/dive bomber to serve with the Navy. The primary mission of the A-1 was close air support for ground troops because of its heavy ordnance load and accuracy. The aircraft had great success in Korea and Vietnam. There were 3,180 Skyraiders built in seven major models and 28 different versions. There were 266 A-1s lost in Vietnam. Some nicknames - Able Dog, Spad, Sandy, Hobo, Firefly, Zorro and "Crazy Water Buffalo," a VNAF nickname.

The Aircraft:

In 1964 Douglas A-1H Skyraider Bu. 135326 was delivered to VA-52 as NF-304 and in early1966 it was transferred to the VA-176 “Thunderbolts”. VA-176 would complete its one and only Vietnam combat tour between April 4, 1966 and November 21, 1966 assigned to the USS Intrepid. On October 19, 1966 Skyraider 135326 flown by Pete Russell was a section leader of 4 VA-176 A-1Hs and is credited with a possible shoot-down of one of 4 MiG-17s that had jumped them. One MiG 17 was confirmed downed, one probably downed, and a third was damaged.

Specification of Douglas AD-6 Skyraider re-designated the A-1H in 1962
Performance
Engine – (1) 2,500 hp Wright R-3350-26WA Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial, rated at 2,600 hp for takeoff and 2,100 hp at 14,000 feet.
Maximum Speed
342 mph at 15,400 ft 319 mph at sea level Cruising Speed - 180 mph Combat Ceiling - 29,400 ft Combat Radius - 275 miles with 2,000 lbs of bombs Maximum Ferry Range – 3,240 miles 
Weights
Empty - 12,070 lbs Normal Loaded - 18,400 lbs Maximum - 24,000 lbs 
Dimensions
Length - 39 ft 3 in Height - 15 ft 8 in Wingspan - 50 ft 1/4 in Wing Area - 400.33 sq ft 
Armament
(4) 20-mm cannon in the wing (6) Racks underneath each outer wing (1) Pylon under each inner wing (1) Pylon underneath the fuselage centerline