A-1H Skyraider VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet", USS Midway, 1964 (1:72)

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 'Fist of the Fleet' originally started out as VT-17 in 1943 flying TBF/TBM's. In November 1946 VT-17 became VA-6B flying the SB2C Helldiver and eventually AD-1 Skyraiders. Next the squadron became part of Air Group Six as VA-65 in April 1948 and in 1950 moved to the West Coast of the U.S. as part of Air Group Two. During their time there they made 3 deployments during the Korean War. In July 1959 as part of a number swap with an East Coast squadron in Air Group Six VA-65 became VA-25. Throughout the 1960's VA-25 made three carrier deployments to Vietnam flying over 3,000 combat missions and dropping ten million pounds of ordnance on the enemy. In 1968 the Spads were retired in favor of the A-7 Corsair making the Skyraiders from VA-25 the last of the USN's tactical propeller driven aircraft.

Specifications for the Douglas A-1H Skyraider

Crew ' 1

Performance
Engine ' 1 X Wright R-3350-26WA radial , 2,700 hp (2,000 kW)
Maximum Speed - 322 mph (518 km/h) at 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
Cruise Speed - 198 mph (319 km/h)
Rate of Climb - 2,850 ft/min (14.5 m/s)
Service Ceiling - 28,500 ft (8,685 m)
Range - 1,316 mi (2,115 km)

Dimensions
Length - 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
Wingspan - 50 ft (15.25 m)
Height - 15 ft 8.25 in (4.78 m)

Weight
Empty - 11,968 lb (5,429 kg)
Loaded - 18,106 lb (8,213 kg)
Maximum T/O - 25,000 lb (11,340 kg)

Armament
Guns ' 4 X 20 mm (0.79 in) M2 cannon

Disposable Ordnance
Up to 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) of ordnance on 15 external hard-points
Bombs
Torpedoes
Mine dispensers
Unguided rockets
Gun pods