Warbird Information Exchange

Hi everyone,

I am in desperate need of photos and info on this A-1H.

A-1H 37-552 'Spad Dad'

I am helping a friend with a project, but we cant find much stuff. I do know there was a decal sheet done for plastic models. We think there may be some inaccurate info on the sheet. Any info or photos would be greatlly apprecitaed.

Thank you for your time

Mark

Look here,
http://skyraider.org/skyassn/imcol.htm

http://skyraider.org/skyassn/otherpics/ ... ludwig.htm

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45-47=-2

I've done some research on the 6th SOS and still never seem to come up with a full photo of Spad Dad. You would think that they exist, as the airplane has been the subject of two models, in fact, a google/image search should turn up pix of the plastic model kit/box top and also the die cast model that's available. I did see a close up black & white of the cowl when going through the 6th archive at the Maxwell AFB HRA, but some of those files are still awaiting declassification so I left it alone. Please share whatever you find, as I'd love to see more of this colorful, unique SPAD.

Funny thing is that my friend was a charter member of the 6th beginning at England AFB and left SEA only a few months before they were deactivated, yet he did not recognize the airplane when I showed him a pic. It carried the 6T tail code for the SAR det, but I also suppose that his daily concerns were far above paint schemes and it has been 40+ years.

FWIW, although "Spad" is certainly accepted slang for the A-1, the 6th was the only USAF unit I'm aware of who used "SPAD" as their A-1 unit callsign. IIRC, the 6th still uses it today.

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

Awesome Thanks Mike

Mark

Good info Ken, Thanks. Looks like we may have to take a trip to Maxwell also. So far Mike is the only other one who has responded with info. Maybe somebody here will have the one pic everybody is searching for. Thanks for the help.

Mark

Any other info surface on this?

Might this be the elusive picture?





From the book Warbird Tech Series Douglas A-1 Skyraider Volume 13, Larry Davis and David Menard

David
WHF Maint

Thanks David, well done. Interesting that the caption says March 1970, as the unit officially lists being deactivated in Nov 1969 and reactivated as an A-37 squadron in Jan 1970. Sadly #552 is listed as lost in combat; I think "Spad Dad" would make a great scheme for the airshow circuit.

BTW, is it just me or do those centerline tanks look to be a nonstandard size/type?

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

The dark green paint on the tanks does make them look different. I thought this paint scheme would look good on ours!
David
WHF Maint

http://www.flyingmule.com/products/GJ-GAUSA6003

Don't know if these views will help, but......

Mudge the researcher

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Land of the free because of the brave

It wasn't unheard of for nonstandard tanks to be flown; that might explain the camo. Note the standard tank is much more pointy at "the pointy end" and protrudes farther forward under the engine & prop arc. Copyright as noted, others source unknown.

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

Hmm, sand bags for wheel chocks.

To shed a little light on the Spad Dad book quote here is a response from another former 6th SOS pilot I am in touch with:

"The info is a little in error-- Col Sam Berman was the 633 Special Operations Wing Commander when I was at Pleiku, NOT the 6 SOS Commander-- the 6th SOS commander was Lt. Col Harold Hadder and think he was followed by Lt. Col Jim Wold. I recall the paint job that is pictured!"

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."