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It was on just those with the Yankee Extraction System.
A Spad pilot told me it's just a pad to protect the canopy
plexi from the rockets mounted directly underneath.
Col Bill Jones won the MOH in the Spad when flak hit
the rockets and he contunued the mission suffering serious burns
Col. William A. Jones, 602nd Special Operations Squadron, U.S. Air Force, distinguished himself as the pilot of an A-1H Skyraider aircraft near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. On Sept. 1, 1968, as the on-scene commander in an attempted rescue of a downed U.S. pilot, Jones' aircraft was repeatedly hit by heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire.
On one of his passes, Jones felt an explosion beneath his aircraft and his cockpit rapidly filled with smoke. With complete disregard of the possibility that his aircraft might still be burning, he continued his search for the downed pilot.
He sighted a multiple-barrel gun position firing at him from near the survivor's position. He could not attack the gun position on that pass for fear he would endanger the downed pilot. On two subsequent passes, Jones attacked the position with cannon and rocket fire. On his second pass, the aircraft was hit with automatic weapons fire. One round hit the Yankee Extraction System rocket mounted behind the headrest, igniting the rocket.
His aircraft burst into flames in the center fuselage section, with flames engulfing the cockpit area. He pulled the extraction handle, jettisoning the canopy. The influx of fresh air made the fire burn with intensity for a few moments, but since the rocket motor had already burned, the extraction system did not pull Jones from the aircraft.
Despite searing pains from severe burns sustained on his arms, hands, neck, shoulders, and face, Jones pulled into a climb and attempted to transmit the location of the downed pilot and the enemy gun position to the other aircraft in the area.
His calls were blocked by other transmissions repeatedly directing him to bail out and within seconds his transmitters were disabled and he could receive only on one channel. Disregarding his injuries, he flew his crippled aircraft back to his base and passed on essential information for the rescue rather than bail out.
Jones successfully landed his heavily damaged aircraft and passed the information to a debriefing officer while on the operating table.
As a result of his heroic actions and disregard for his own safety, the downed pilot was rescued later that day.
Jones' profound concern for his fellow man at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of this country.
Jones was killed in an aircraft accident before he could be officially cited for his heroism. President Richard M. Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to his widow, Lois Jones, August 6, 1970.
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Don't touch my junk!!
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but this is a warbird site soooo!!! 
only kidding 
