Saga of the SkyRaider - A-1 Spad 80510
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- Опубліковано 16 вер 2024
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The Douglas A-1 SkyRaider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s.
It was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter. The SkyRaider had a remarkably long and successful career, even inspiring its straight-winged, slow-flying, jet-powered successor, the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
It was operated by the United States Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and the United States Air Force, and also saw service with the British Royal Navy, the French Air Force, the Air Force of the Republic of Vietnam, and others.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...
I was working as a contractor at Holloman AFB, New Mexico and had just finished the book My Secret War about the US Air Force flying these Sandies out of Nked Phane. I was a retired Army MSG but worked as a GS-11 so I used the O-Club for afternoon drinking. One day I was wearing my three-piece'r and a bunch of AF cadets were having a good time. One of them was buying a round and asked me "what'd you fly sir?" I said I flew the last piston aircraft in the AF inventory with an 18 foot wheel (Prop to those in the know). None of the cadets figured it out and I never had to buy a drink all afternoon. All because I had a habit of memorizing everything I read..!! However, I'm 81 now and the stories in that book still give cold sweats when reading about the NVA 57mm (Golden Hose) the Sandys had respect for..!!
Thanks for the story and for your service to our great nation.
Holloman? You mean Cannon AFB? Grab your Road Atlas.
The A-1 Skyraider - a.k.a. to the Navy as the "Spad", and to the Air Force as "Sandy", was one brute of a fighting machine!
Narrator: "Combat aircraft just don't stay around that long."
B-52: "Hold my beer!"
In all seriousness the Sky Raider was a great airplane. It as more than earned every bit of respect it gets.
B-52 80-100 years. Active
TU-95/142 family 80-100 years. Active
B-1B 40-50 years. Active
TU-160 30-40 years Active
F-16C/D/E/F 40 years active
F-15C/D/E/EX 40-50 years Active
Mig-21 family. Too many to list 60 years. Active
AV-8B Harrier II 40 years. Active
C-130 family. Too many versions. 70 years. Active
UH-1 family too many versions. 65 years. Active
AH-64 family 40 years. Active
MI-24 family 50 years. Active
MI-8 50-60 years active
UH-60L family 40-45 years active
TU-22M 45 years active
A-10 A/C 50 years active
Mig-29 family 45 years active.
SU-27/30/33 family. 40 years. Active
B-2A 30 years projected to 50. Active
F-117A retired. After 20 years of service.
F-111F/C 60 years Retired.
KC-135 tankers 60+ years. Active. Due to retire. I cant beleive those still fly.
E-3C Sentry 45 years active
E-3E JSTARS 45 years active
By comparison. Submarines have service life of 30-40 years. Surface warships 30-40 years. Aircraft carriers 50 -60 years.
F-22A and Eurofighter have been in service around 15 years, and neither has achieved full planned combat capability.
F-35A/B/C have been in service less then 10 years and have achieved partial combat capability. But Marines B versions is farthest along. Navy's C is last.
SU-57 has no combat capability and force is less then 1/2 squadron strength of 6 airworthy airframes of which 4 are generated at one time.
M1 family of tanks. 50 years. Active. Projected to 70.
155mm howitzer + 155mm artillery round. 90 years . No projected retirement.
M-2 BMG .50 . 100 years and no sign of retirement.
M-16/M-4/AR-15 rifle family 65 years projected to serve 90 maybe 100.
AK-47/74 - 80 years. Projected in service to over 120.
Shotgun - 180 years of service. No retirement, no projected replacement.
Hand grenade - 500 years of service. No projected retirement
Bayonet/combat knife - 8,000 (unknown) years of service. No projected retirement. No projected replacement.
Infantryman - 10,000 (6,000 confirmed) years of service. Only weapons and tactics changed. No projected retirement. Includes PMC + mercenaries. No projected replacement
Prostitute/sex worker/camp follower - 12,000 (unknown more) years of service. No projected retirement or replacement.
MK1 eyeball. - 600,000,000 years if service across geo-history of Earth . No projected retirement or replacement.
Brain (sentient consciousness)- At least 250,000 years of service to mankind across multiple species of man. No projected replacement. May or may not come with good judgement.
Very often...
In the summer of 1965 my ship USS Brister DER 327 answered a distress call from a Vietnamese patrol boat between Nha Trang and Tuy Hua. On our arrival several patrol boat sailors had been injured by gunfire from the shore. They had done their share of counter fire. The deck was covered in brass from their machine guns.
Not long after our arrival a Douglas A-1 SkyRaider began a series of strafing and bomb runs in the boonies a few hundred yards from the shore line. The target area was in a cove between two steep slopes. The SkyRaider swept down one slope, leveled off and opened fire then pulled up for another go around. The SkyRaider's attack proved relentless. We picked up casualties and carried them to sickbay.
God damn I bet that’s was one hell of a cool sight
2012 in Afghanistan I single handedly killed four trees, one brick wall and completely wasted an empty mud hut.
Very emotional video for me as the Skyraider was my first A/C and my favorite. I feel very fortunate to have served in the Navy and to have wrenched on these great birds.
The A-1 Skyraider is one of my favorites, and I know their pilot's loved flying them! You could bring a world of hurt to the enemy in that plane!
6K pounds of ordinance, a regular dump truck! Low, slow and right on target!
The Groundpounders friend with an unbelievable loiter time! Plus the ability to take a lot of hits!!
my cousin Ted Bronson flew over 1000 missions, mostly skyraiders off the big E. an honor to talk to him. he sat me in this plane in Buffalo ny when i was about 12 yrs old.
In nine months, from sketches to in the air, the place i work couldn't get the damned coffee machine to work properly in two years
Ain't that the truth.
Had the privilege of being able to work with different types of skyraiders, in Hurlbert field Fla. To Bien HOA a-b vietnam.
Thanks for your service to our great nation.
Andrew, were they maintenance heavy? They all seemed to be throwing oil in the pictures, by the look of the exhausts
I’m currently reading a book titled “Cheating Death” by George Marrett about the A-1 Skyraider missions over Laos and North Vietnam. Crazy stuff those guys went through.
"Three Douglas engineers went back to theier hotel room, and worked through the night. The following morning their sketches impressed the Navy enough to allow Douglas to enter their proposal." When you compare that to the boondoggle known as the F-35 program, you either shake your head in disgust at the current methods of procurement, or shake you head in wonder at the genius of these three engineers.
Great comment. Feel free to post on our channel at any time.
On F-35 work many different nations and that makes the interaction between teams difficult.
this is one of my favorite plane...put back the skyraider in service again. it was very effective on ground support role and cheap to operate.
the watcher we have the Tucano
It’s from Brazil but it’s cheap and good
It's not sexy enough for expensive enough the right people got to make the money remember just cuz it's the best plan for the job don't mean s***
The A-1 SkyRaider saved my ass more than once in Vietnam flying DUSTOFF Medevac helicopters. Great rocket and machinegun support.
Thanks for your service to our great nation.
Thanks --
Thank you for your service Mr. Simmons!
Armond Simmons thanks for your sacrifice and service God bless you
Was there music playing the whole time you done it?
Nine months from blueprint to prototype; unimaginable!
A-1: A magnificent aircraft that served our nation in peace and war for a record-breaking two decades."
B-52: Am I a joke to you?
an updated SkyRaider will surely outperforms the Super Tucano.
It would carry a greater war load. Have longer range. And be more resilient. And have more potent guns!
The reality is, the only things that would need to be updated are the avionics and ordnance.
I totally agree , if your going to replace the a10 with a prop plane give the job to a true warrior , proven in battle and can bring our boys home after taking damage .
@@ben41281
You would need a new engine nobody builds those engines let alone parts for those engines anymore.
@@louisbabycos106 the engines could be put back into production.
My dad flew the AD in the Mediterranean when he served. His squadron, VA 15 valion, was a nuclear delivery squadron. Crazy stuff
Mike OBrien wait... are you telling me that A-1 was able to carry A NUCLEAR BOMB? I’d buy that for a dollar!
VA-15 flew Skyraiders until switching to A-4 Skyhawks-which can carry nukes.
I watched every second of this.... it was perfect. Thank you
Best part of this is the beginning, and thinking, "$hit... I've got to adjust the tracking!"
The A1 SkyRaiders were my days A10's, They Kicked ass in Vietnam CVA 42
many persons continue to bad mouth A-10s and other "older" models of a/c, believing them to be at the end of their operational life. Who would have thunk that the Skyraider could stay invaluable for so long either? Ability to stay on station, and carry varied ordnance beyond what many other sexy a/c could.
The A-1 was the A-10 before there was an A-10.
My flight instructor flew this wonderful plane. It is one of my favorites. The only other dream plane was the A-5.
My oldest brother served on the Ranger 68 and 69.
He said that they returned on occasion with jungle debris in their fuselage and wings
That was low flying knap of the earth flying
Always been on my top ten list.
I'm sure there would be no shortage of skilled machinists that would commute to El Segundo to build more.
CL
The old Douglas plant has been taken over by the USAF as the Los Angeles Air Force Station and has been totally redeveloped except for the main assembly building which was sold to another aerospace firm. Strangely, the USAF has no concern for U.S. Navy aviation history.
"... a record breaking two decades ..."
Then came the B-52, C-130, F-15, F-16. Who could imagine a Mustang or a Spitfire still in active duty in 1990? And who, also in 1990, would imagine the F-16, already more than ten year in service, still being among the most capable fighters in the world?
That being said, I'm a great admirer of the A-1. Like most "last of its kind" it pushed its technologies to the limits - and almost beyond.
. . . and without mentioning that these same old venerable USN aircraft were then unceremoniously handed over to the Vietnam AF, and which we all know then quickly lost the war we had all fought and died for. There must be some message in this, like don't ever do that again . . . ?
william larson-- Yes, never allow politicians to make tactical decisions ever. They usually get us in it, then refuse to help
A-1 was great until the commies were armed with russian SA-7 and plenty of 12.7mm, 37,57mm AA batteries made it tough for VNAF slow flying aircrafts. We held SVN from 72-75, the US being hipocriptes meeting the north behind SVN back. Not only US pulled almost all fighting units out by 72', SVN military aids were cut drastically. When the commies violated 1973 treaty, the US promised B-52 back, guess what, nothing happened! They just abandoned SVN after shaking hand with china and russia. And yes there were corruptions in SVN government and lack of great leadership too contributed to a total defeat!
This was one hell of an airplane. Tough as they come. How many of our men did it save?
Still drooling!
20 year service? I thought the Spad served 40 years. From the end of WW2 to 1985. Looking further, the A-1 remained in U.S. service until the early 1970s, but was retired in 1985 from the Gabonese Air Force. Still counts! For providing protection for downed airmen until the rescue choppers arrive, the Skyraider excelled mightily!
Such a graceful lady
Two tours at NKP. loved those things.
A pitty we don't have similar anymore
Interesting that the Navy had a combat aircraft that was Silent but Deadly.
Liked in a Episode of the History Channel DVD "Dogfights" When Two U.S. Navy A-1s Shot Down a Mig-17.
1967 CuChi RVN every now and then a couple skyraiders would come in low avoiding outgoing artillery the sound of those radials was a treat for sure
last war, last mission ?, only for Navy Spads because the USAF flew it longer in VN and the South vietnamese air force too.
Amazing Plane!!
Ironically I just finished reading Richard Drury's memoir "My Secret War" about his experience flying the Skyraider in Laos during the Vietnam War.
This is an incredible story. I have read it twice.
It is an excellent aircraft.
A single-pilot Skyraider could carry as much of a bomb load as a B-17 of World War II could, which had a crew of ten men.
One of the key design goals of the XBT2D-1 "Dauntless Ii" was to eliminate all crew but a single pilot. It was intended to replace the TBF/TBM and SB2C. The XBT2D-1 became the AD Skyraider which was redesignated A-1 in '62. (The original BTD was the predecessor of the TBD and SBD).
The A-1 was one brute of a fighting machine!
In his autobiography Heinemann said that under test they ran out of hard points for hanging bombs before they reached the point that the AD couldn't fly. Although the suspension was fully compressed by the load.
The final decommissioning looked like it took place at Lemoore NAS.
I thought that too, having lived there between 1964-1969. I remember when they were still Skyraiders flying there. VA-25 this bird belonged to, was stationed there.
It did and I was there . I have over 900 flight hours in EA1F Skyraiders flying rightseat as a NFO in a Electronic Warfare operation on Yankee Station Gulf of Tonkin
Lemoore still has a Spad “gate guard”. Quality aircraft along with the pilots that flew’em and the folks that maintained’em.
I bet those Spads made some Chinese BBQ ribs with those Napalm cannisters in Korea.
Cool beans...also sad, though.
So if I can ask...from the 70's to the here and now...( I was brn. 1971) what aircraft has filled the role of each decade past of the Spad since it's Retirement? for me I can only say the A-4....then the A-10..???...Am I wrong on this?
your thoughts.
I would also add the A-7
I agree the A-7 Corsair,
She's still in Pensacola
Is that Fred McMurray narrating?
In 1958 I stood behind one and on the other side of the road at NAS Atlanta until it finally took off. When I turned around my group had left me and I had to wait until a late comer arrived and gave me a ride.
I believe that if that airframe was fitted with a turboprop engine, and had a few upgrades, it would still be a viable attack aircraft for the type wars we're currently fighting.
God...take me back, our World is over.
2 decades of service, then farewell.
usaf:Hold my B-52
The Navy flew the A-1 till they literally couldn't land on a carrier anymore. Then the USAF snapped up all the excess Navy Skyraiders and flew the living hell out of them. Finally, allied militaries grabbed what was left and flew the plane still more.
That plane changed so many military services hands and had so many field modifications it would make your head spin.
They could land on a carrier. I believe the Navy wanted to get the Avgas off the ships as much as possible.
It wasn't long after this the Air Force was taking Navy A 1s out of mothballs to use in Rescue. They had worn theirs out.
I only watched this cause I just got this plane in war thunder
Two decades... B-52, hold my beer...
Cuba , when the were offshore & aboard the Essex ? The Invasión could have used them , you know . 😥
April 1968......
Whats up with these senior Naval Officers? Not one seem to be 45 pounds overweight.
How did it get the name Sandy?
SANDY was the air rescue mission.
"SANDY" call sign for SAR support flew with the "JOLLYS out of NKP Thailand with the 602nd SOW. A1's call sign "HOBO" flew truck interdiction over the "Ho chi minTrail" with 601st out of NKP. from 68 thru 73
I was there in 70'
What an aircraft today's A10 is the reincarnation of that A/C.
This film repeats a long debunked myth. Douglas had realised that their BTD aircraft was only going to be a stop-gap and they went to the Navy to get permission to stop its development and to replace it with the BT2D (later redesignated the AD1). Whilst it is true that they were given until 09:00 the following morning to present their new design, 2 of Heinemann's designer engineers had already been working on the new design. All they did was to finalise the design in their hotel room.
The Mighty 0 CV/ CVA 34. U.S.S. Oriskany.
It really was an incredible platform. I wish the Navy had developed a real replacement comparable strengths. The A-7 became that replacement for the most part. But it was too fast and vulnerable. A Naval A-10 would have been far more capable of filling this role.
" old slab side "
Music does not! Have to be in everything we watch! I hate that shit....SO BAD!
20 F105s attacked a bridge in N. VIETNAM and the bridge still survived. The 602nd Fighter Sq sent 6 A1s to hit the bridge. The first A1 put a bomb in the middle and destroyed the bridge.
I DO NOT RESPECT THE COMMUNIST PARTY RUNNG MY COUNTRY.
IF YOU WANT RESPECT THEN GET THOSE SUM BITCHES OUT.
UNTIL THEN, DO NOT TELL ME HOW TO FLY MY FLAG.
MY FRIENDS, FAMILY, VETERANS SERVED, IN WWI & WWII KNOW EXACTLY WHY THIS FLAG FLY'S UPSIDE DOWN.
DO NOT INSULT ME WITH I AM DISRESPECTING AMERICA AGAIN.
GET YOUR ASSES EDUCATED AND LEARN HOW TO BE AMERICAN AGAIN.
OR SHUT THE FRONT DOOR
@@howardwilkerson2958
I don't understand what that has to do with a music complaint, but great war story. Glad you made it home Howard,. Thank you for your service..
What was the purpose of having a counter inserted in the video? Very annoying. I had to stop watching it.
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O
They where socialist democrat hunters.
Gotta love our 3rd rate propaganda movies.
Its as hard as nails and a good lookin plane,bet could have done at least another 10 years easy. Now the A10 is facing the chop an that's just so wrong man. Why spend billions on a new version when you can spend a lot less on a tried n tested in service machine?..it just does my nut in. But as for the Skyraider..it took a lot of lives ,but it also saved many because of its abilities and its one of my favorites..it was an is a Boss plane..
b: Why? Because the A-10 doesn't meet future needs of the services. It's slow and a sitting duck on a modern battlefield. Handheld SAM's make it unable to operate. Any other modern jet can deliver precision bombs and do the same job.