Something I should know the answer to, but don't

[Mudge]

Where did the Skyraider pick up the nickname "SPAD"?

On a restoration a/c can you put whatever tail number you want on it to make the paint scheme "accurate"?

Mudge the educable

[Falcon10]

The story i picked up was it was a reference to the World War One Spad fighter.

[n5151ts]

....those of us who drove fast movers started the moniker.....and boy were we glad to see a spad if we were down and called in a rescap....

[Old SAR pilot]

Mudge,

One source indictated that "SPAD" was orginally a callsign for SAR aircraft, as was "SANDY" for RESCAP.

[mtpopejoy]

I think n5151ts is right. Cointed by fighter jockeys making fun of the old antique piston engine plane. (WWI Spad)

I think the answer to your second question is YES because the actual FAA N number is the real registration number used.

Regards,
Mark

[chippie51]

I'd heard, from where I can't remember, the origin to be Single Pilot Attack Douglas.

May just be rubbish though!

G

[Matt Gunsch]

Mudge,
All US registared aircraft must display a N number, however, if it replicating a military paint scheme it can display a small 3in N number under the horizontal, as long as it is a contrasting color.
Like your car, you can request a special N number, I had N329DF for my homebuilt, 329 for a fantasy story a friend wrote called Dragon November Bravo 32 niner, DF for Dragonfly.

[Jack Cook]

SPAD was the Navy's slang term for the Skyraider along with Able Dog for AD.
AF used nicknames associated with the particular unit but Sandy is a more universal term.
Other used were refrences to the variant or sub-type ie Face Face or Guppy.

[Mudge]

Thanks. Ah 'preciates it.

Insofar as "Sandy" was a common call sign for RESCAP a/c, on reading some other stuff about SPADs in Viet Nam, I discovered that the Skyraiders operating with the 1st Special Operations Squadron out of Nakom Phanom (sp) AB in Thailand used the call sign "Hobo". I can't find any call signs other than "Sandy" and "Hobo". Anyone know of any? Just a curious. I'm not requesting any "in depth" research on anyone's part. Just if you happen to know.

Mudge the curious

[n5151ts]

Thanks. Ah 'preciates it.

Insofar as "Sandy" was a common call sign for RESCAP a/c, on reading some other stuff about SPADs in Viet Nam, I discovered that the Skyraiders operating with the 1st Special Operations Squadron out of Nakom Phanom (sp) AB in Thailand used the call sign "Hobo". I can't find any call signs other than "Sandy" and "Hobo". Anyone know of any? Just a curious. I'm not requesting any "in depth" research on anyone's part. Just if you happen to know.

Mudge the curious

http://www.amazon.com/My-Secret-War-Ric ... 0816868417

Rich is a really nice guy he has other books out as well. I of course have 1st editions signed! He lives in the pacific north west and has more interests and talents than god!

[EDowning]

Read this journal online http://www.skyraider.org/hook/index.htm

Look at this http://www.skyraider.org/skyassn/index.htm

or here http://www.abledogs.com/

and this

www.wildrelics.com


Eric

[jdvoss]

I had heard ( emphasize HEARD) that it stood for "Single Place AD" to differentiate it from the multiple place AD-5 series. The expression eventually was extended to include ALL Skyradiers. If this is true then the usage must have been developed prior to 1962 when Skyraiders were identified as AD 's. After 1962 they were re-designated as A-1's.