Skyraiders ...

Adam Kline · **Posted:** Mon May 19, 2014 6:36 pm

I think that the modeler used artistic license to show the speed brakes down. I wasn't uncommon though to have the lower one locked when the middle drop tank was attached. Usually a crate was placed under where the lower flap was to prevent it from scraping or damaging the flap.

Ken · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 7:06 am

Adam, you're right, the ventral speedbrake was normally disabled on USAF airplanes (the H/J had a lockout valve for this purpose) as it was common to carry a centerline fuel tank.

The 1971 version of the USAF T.O. mentions all A-1Es plus A-1E-5 airplanes 135177, 135187, 135195, and 135211 as having speed brakes. The E had only the ventral petal, whereas the H/J had three. The pilot's switch was either open or close with no ability to stop it at a mid point (however the H/J had an intermediate switch position provided for maintenance intent only). There is an interconnect which prevents the brake from operating when the gear is down although the H/J had an override switch provided in case of emergency.

I'm curious to know more about the crate placed under the speedbrake ... where have you seen this?

Ken

Adam Kline · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 11:59 am

I learned that from Skyraider Walk Around from Squadron Publications. There is a huge photo with a caption showing the crate under the lower flap. Because WIX needs the pictures to be from a URL link I can't scan the photo to post. I have been too lazy to open a Photo Bucket account.

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2628

Adam Kline wrote:

I learned that from Skyraider Walk Around from Squadron Publications. There is a huge photo with a caption showing the crate under the lower flap. Because WIX needs the pictures to be from a URL link I can't scan the photo to post. I have been too lazy to open a Photo Bucket account.

Page 35, http://www.scribd.com/doc/7252846/Walk- ... yraider-01

Ken · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 1:14 pm

Awesome link, Mike, awesome. Thanks.

Judging by the photo, it appears that the airplane is on jacks and the speedbrake was extended intentionally by maintenance. The crate ensures the petal won't be scraped, particularly if pressure was relieved, and the petal was allowed to droop. I assume that, with over 2800 psi available, the crate would be no match for the speedbrake if it were there when first extended.

Ken

Adam Kline · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 2:12 pm

Thanks Mike for posting that link.

Snake45 · **Joined:** Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:49 pm **Posts:** 864

Adam Kline wrote:

Thanks Mike for posting that link.

I doubt my friend Ed Barthelmes, who wrote that book, would agree with that sentiment.

But since it's there now anyway, I've been wanting to discuss this picture (142045 at upper left):

I have serious doubts that that airplane had a painted-on black exhaust panel, like USAF A-1Es. If it does, it would be only VNAF single-seater I've ever seen with that. I'm thinking more and more that it's just exhaust staining--admittedly, the worst case of it I've ever seen, but not all that much worse than this one:

And then there's this one, marked identically to 142045 (and, coincidentally, the very next BuNo), but no painted-on black exhaust panel:

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 7:58 pm

[quote="Mark Allen M"]Suggested thread for the Skyraider fans. Part 1 of 5, sources, San Diego Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Naval Aviation

Last AD-7 Skyraider A-sJ manufactured by Douglas Aircraft. Pilot LT Fowler of Attack Squadron Two Hundred Fifteen (VA-215).
142081 AD-7 Skyraider (VA-52) shot down by automatic weapons fire near Phu Cuong 10 Miles North of Saigon, Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam Jan 3, 1966. Pilot rescued. Thanks to Joe Baugher’s Pages

A1 Skyraider on flight deck of USS Midway (CVA-41).
135324 AD-6 to USAF as 52-135324. With 602nd Air Commando Squadron 56th Air Commando Wing hit by ground fire 10 Miles West of Sam Neua, Houaphan Province, Laos Feb 12, 1968. Able to fly 10 mi to the west, where pilot bailed out and rescued by Air America helicopter. Thanks to Joe Baugher’s Pages

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 8:09 pm

[quote="Mark Allen M"]Part 2

A-1H of Attack Squadron One Hundred Forty-Five (VA-145) near Hawaii.
137512 AD-6 Skyraider to USAF as 52-137512. With 602nd Special Operations Squadron 56th Special Operations Wing, shot down by ground fire near Muang Pot, Xiangkhoang Province, Laos Jul 4, 1969. Pilot bailed out but was killed by enemy troop. Thanks to Joe Baugher’s Pages

Ken · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 8:11 pm

Snake, I think it's just dirty ...

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 8:17 pm

Mark Allen M wrote:

Part 3

A-1H Skyraider of Attack Squadron One Hundred Seventy-Six (VA-176) prior to launch from USS Intrepid (CVS-11).

137496 to USAF as 52-137496. With 6th Special Operations Squadron 633rd Special Operations Wing hit by ground fire over A Shau Valley Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam Jan 10, 1969. Headed away from valley over the hills but pilot had to bail out 25 mi SW of Da Nang. Pilot was rescued.
Thanks to Joe Baugher’s Pages

Snake45 · **Joined:** Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:49 pm **Posts:** 864

Gary, I think we all know that the majority of AD-5, -6 and -7 Skyraiders "died" in Southeast Asia, either with the USN, the USAF, or the VNAF.

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 8:29 pm

Mark Allen M wrote:

Part 4

Four (4) ADs of Attack Squadron One Hundred Forty-Five (VA-145), Carrier Air Group Fourteen (CAG-14), in formation over Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar and surrounding area.

139641 to USAF as 52-139641.
With 602nd Special Operations Squadron 56th Special Operations Wing suffered engine failure over Thailand and crashed March 1, 1969. Pilot survived.

139653
to South Vietnam AF
35227
fate unknown as not listed
39680
fate unknown as not listed

Thanks to Joe Baugher’s Pages

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 8:38 pm

[quote="Mark Allen M"]Part 6

A-1H Skyraider of Attack Squadron One Hundred Fifteen (VA-115) in flight from USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), off South China Sea coast.

137520 to USAF as 52-137520. With 6th Special Operations Squadron 633rd Special Operations Wing suffered engine failure over South Vietnam and crashed Jul 19, 1969. Pilot survived.

137546 to USAF as 52-137546. With 22nd Special Operations Squadron 56th Special Operations Wing shot down by ground fire over Ho Chi Minh Trail 20 Miles West of Mu Gia Pass Khammouan Province, Laos Dec 18, 1968. Pilot KIA.

Thanks to Joe Baugher’s Pages

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2014 8:45 pm

USAF A-1H, 135291, 6th SOS, Pleiku, SVN, 1968. Maj Win DePoorter's squadron photo. Win flew A-1's from 1965-1969, including two combat tours and one stint as an A-1 instructor at Hurlburt Field. His decorations include two Silver Stars, five DFC's, and 29 Air Medals as well as being named TAC's 1967 Aircrew of the Year for his work as an A-1 IP. His 657 combat sorties make him the record holder among A-1 pilots and, he believes, all USAF fighter/attack pilots in SEA. Win is a dear friend and the man who first taught me to fly. A number of other images from his collection may be seen at skyraider.org.

Another view of 135291. Mutza's book lists this airframe as lost in combat. DePoorter photo via skyraider.org.

135291 to USAF as 52-135291. Hit by ground fire while attacking a Truck on Route 922 in Laos June 25, 1968.
Crashed 30 Miles West of Hue, Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. Pilot KIA. Thanks to Joe Baugher’s Pages

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