A-1H In Flight Over the Jungles of Southeast Asia
The A-1 Skyraider was a solid
performer throughout the War in Southeast Asia. Flown by USAF, USN, and VNAF pilots, the A-1 earned a
reputation as a great ground-attack aircraft, providing close-air support that
saved many American and allied lives.
Long loiter times and the
ability to carry a heavy and varied ordnance load made the A-1 the superior
aircraft for many missions including the primary role in escorting Jolly Green
Giants for the Search and Rescue (SAR) mission.
Note the ordnance load on this
Skyraider and that the pilot has the canopy slid back.
I believe this picture was sent
to me a few years ago by Byron Huckee who was running the Skyraider
Association Website at http://skyraider.org/skyassn/index.htm.
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This picture must have been taken from the crew door of either an H-3 or H-53.
You can see the helo's sponson-mounted auxiliary fuel tank in the lower
right corner of the picture.
Bob Blough
HH-53 Pilot, 40 ARRS, NKP Thailand 74-75, Korat Thailand 75
Life Member Mayaguez Memorial VFW Post 11575,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Charter Member Jolly Green Association
Life Member Air Commando Association
Proud Member, Thailand/Laos/Cambodia (TLC) Brotherhood
Proud Member, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
