Accepted in 1954, this 'Spad' has quite a record. Its first combat cruise came with VA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" on board USS Midway in 1965, during which time it was part of a mission that engaged North Vietnamese MiG-17s, one of the enemy jets being shot down. After operating with VA-52 "Knightriders" aboard the carrier USS Ticonderoga in 1966-1967, it was back with VA-25, this time on USS Coral Sea for a 1967-1968 cruise. During these three deployments, it logged 219 combat missions. In February 1968 it flew the USN's last A-1 combat mission and was ferried to the NAM in 1969

137585 written off on March 4, 1964. Seen here landing on the Royal Navy carrier Victorious during a Anglo-American exercise. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Former US Navy 139606 was transferred to the US Air Force in 1967 (51-139606). In 1970 it went to the South Vietnamese Air Force. Escaping to U-Tapao, Thailand in 1975, the aircraft was recovered circa 1980 and stored at Long Beach, CA until 1987. Registered N3915B and N39606, it was with the Donald Douglas Museum and the Museum Of Flying in Santa Monica, CA. Restored to flying status in 1989, it has had several color schemes as a warbird .

29 Jun 1954: TOS USN as AD-6 and assigned to VA-55. 1956: VA-115, NAF Atsugi, Japan. 1959-1962: Unknown units. 1962: VA-145. 7/62: Redesignated A-1H. 1964 to 1967: VA-25, VA-52, VA-25 aboard USS Midway, USS Ticonderoga, USS Coral Sea for 219 combat missions over Vietnam. 20 Feb 1968: Last Navy Skyraider to fly an attack mission in South Vietnam - in support of Khe Sanh. 10 Apr 1968: Retirement ceremony at NAS Lemoore. The next day it was ferried to the NNAM by the pilot of the last combat mission.

29 Jun 1954: TOS USN as AD-6 and assigned to VA-55. 1956: VA-115, NAF Atsugi, Japan. 1959-1962: Unknown units. 1962: VA-145. 7/62: Redesignated A-1H. 1964 to 1967: VA-25, VA-52, VA-25 aboard USS Midway, USS Ticonderoga, USS Coral Sea for 219 combat missions over Vietnam. 20 Feb 1968: Last Navy Skyraider to fly an attack mission in South Vietnam - in support of Khe Sanh. 10 Apr 1968: Retirement ceremony at NAS Lemoore. The next day it was ferried to the NNAM by the pilot of the last combat mission.

29 Jun 1954: TOS USN as AD-6 and assigned to VA-55. 1956: VA-115, NAF Atsugi, Japan. 1959-1962: Unknown units. 1962: VA-145. 7/62: Redesignated A-1H. 1964 to 1967: VA-25, VA-52, VA-25 aboard USS Midway, USS Ticonderoga, USS Coral Sea for 219 combat missions over Vietnam. 20 Feb 1968: Last Navy Skyraider to fly an attack mission in South Vietnam - in support of Khe Sanh. 10 Apr 1968: Retirement ceremony at NAS Lemoore. The next day it was ferried to the NNAM by the pilot of the last combat mission.

Cavanaugh Flight Museum's combat-veteran A-1H being run up at Avra Valley prior to a post-maintenance test flight.

Ex USN and South Vietnamese air force aircraft that was flown to Thailand in April 1975 and abandoned. Recovered c.1980 and shipped to Chino. Registered N39149 in 1983 but remained stored. Became N655TC in 2000 and an active project. Flew in 2009 in USAF Vietnam War markings and now based in Tennessee.

Museum of Flying

This aircraft is ex Vietnam Air Force, one of four similar aircraft present. The symbol on the fin is a snake in a triangle.

This venerable old aircraft flew 219 combat missions over Vietnam, concluding with the last ever combat mission by a Skyraider. During one of these missions this Spad scored one of the two jet kills by the type in the conflict. She is now ennjoyering her well earned retirement on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Seen on a high speed pass as part of a marvellous flying display at Wings Over Gillespie Airshow

Seen taxying at the Wings Over Gillespie Airshow