The A-1E on display (serial number 52-132649) is the aircraft flown by Major Bernard Fisher on March 10, 1966, a mission for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He rescued a fellow pilot shot down over South Vietnam by landing in enemy territory under heavy fire and flying him to safety. This is believed to be the only surviving fixed-wing Medal of Honor aircraft. The airplane on exhibit, severely damaged in further combat in South Vietnam and later repaired, came to the Museum in 1968 for display.
Designed as a US Navy carrier-based aircraft, the AD (Attack, Douglas) Skyraider first flew in 1945. The plane turned out to be exceptionally versatile and rugged, carrying a record-setting load of 14,491 lbs of ordnance and fuel. When the Department of Defense standardized aircraft designations in 1962, the original designation “AD” became A-1.
Transferred from the US Navy and modified to fulfill a counterinsurgency role, the first US Air Force Skyraiders were two-seat A-1Es which arrived at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, in May 1964. These initial A-1Es were assigned to the 1st Air Commando Squadron, call sign Hobo.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Four 20 mm cannons and up to 10,000-lbs of assorted bombs,
rockets, cluster munitions, gun pods, and flares
Engine: Wright R-3350-26WD Duplex-Cyclone of 2,700 hp
Cruising speed: 200 mph
Combat Radius: 300 miles
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Video:
Family of Major Bernard Fisher Visits His Douglas A-1E Skyraider at NMUSAF