Single seat Skyraider at NMUSAF

[Ken]

According to my records a total of four (five if count 126965 N965AD) have been marked as
The Proud American.
1. A-1H 134555 which later went to VNAF
2. A-1H 134472 which later went to VNAF
3. A-1H 139738 which was the last A-1 lost in SEA, when shot down on 9-28-72
4. A-1J 142072 (mainly parts combined with other wrecks) and is the one that
was on display a NKP and later to Royal Thai Air Force Museum.

Mutza's book only differs by saying that 134472 is the airplane that was parted/pieced and put on display in Thailand. That said, the airplane in Thailand always had 072 painted on its tail. An internet search shows this airplane in 2010 in fresh paint with no markings or tail number at all. Mutza lists 142072 as heavily damaged and stricken on 12-20-68. It may be that both tails contributed to the static bird?

I did a quick search for a NMUSAF A-1H news release and didn't see anything new. 139738 would be my guess for any "Proud American" scheme, as this tail was not only Lt Col Jones' MOH airplane, but another pilot was awarded an AF Cross in it - PLUS it was the last USAF A-1 lost in SEA. That's a lot of AF history represented in one display. The fact that the Anders' fly the same scheme is just one of those things; I'd rather see the airplane honored too much than not enough. And for anyone concerned about a "Movie Proud American", neither airplane is the real one, so there should be no issue.

My final comment has to do with the NMUSAF A-1H itself. Despite rumors, it's most likely this was the A-1H spotted by a visitor to Bien Hoa AB around 1999. It, and a companion A-1E, appeared at AMARC shortly thereafter with exact same colors & markings. The airplane probably has an interesting history of its own - a darn shame the serial could not be determined. I asked, and was told, that sanding was accomplished at all the key locations in an effort to determine the serial but, when I saw the airplane myself, I didn't see any evidence of sanding/repainting. That doesn't mean it wasn't done - it just means there's alot of mystery surrounding the appearance of this A-1 ... but I'm darn glad to see it here and looking forward to it moving into the SEA gallery once it's ready.

Ken

[mustangdriver]

It is going to be marked as 738. I kow they tried alot of things to get this aircraft's story, but just nothing found on it.

[Ken]

If I didn't have a real job taking up my time, I'd like to volunteer to find the answer. First question, is it an H or J? Strengthened wing should be discernible. Next, where are all the places that the tail # may have been repeated on access panels, etc? How about anything left from its Navy service? Any unique repairs or mods? What tails (on record) were left in Vietnam as of 1975?

It interests me, but maybe it would be more trouble than it's worth. Bottom line, we have a nice A-1 display coming and it will be marked to honor some very significant people and events. Incidentally, I've never seen a real photo of Proud American from around the time of the Jones mission, just a couple distant shots from the 71-72 era. I assume that photos would have been taken to document the damage he took, even though nobody knew it would be a MOH mission until much later.

Ken

[Ken]

The NMUSAF Friends Journal, Spring 2012 has a story on the A-1H and the selection of "The Proud American" scheme.

[Ken]

Anyone been around Dayton to know to status of the restoration? Summer 2012 was the original goal; no big deal, just curious on how work is progressing and if there is any sort of ceremony scheduled.

Ken

[mustangdriver]

Ill be there tomorrow. The last I saw it, it was up on its gear getting ready for paint.

[Ken]

Ill be there tomorrow.

So what was the verdict??

[mustangdriver]

I ended up having our meeting on Skype. So I didn't have to drive over there. But if my next trip over happens before any recent pics show up, I'll be sure to post them.