A-1 Skyraider

The Douglas A-1 (formerly AD) Skyraider was a U.S. single-seat attack bomber of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. A propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, the Skyraider had a remarkably long and successful career well into the space age, and inspired a straight-winged, slow-flying, jet-powered successor which is still in front line service today, the A-10 Warthog.

What do you know about the A-1 Skyraider? Try this Vietnam War History Made Easy Trivia quiz.

1. After a designation change to AD-1, when did delivery of the first production aircraft to a fleet squadron was made to VA-19A happen?

• December 1946
• December 1947
• December 1948

2. The first A-1s going into action from the USS Valley Forge with VA-55 on July 3, 1950.

• True or False?

3. During the Korean War (1950–1953) A-1 Skyraiders were flown only by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. What color was it normally painted?

• Dark Navy Blue
• Sky Blue
• Silver

4. In 1965, the A-1 Skyraider was still the medium attack aircraft in many carrier air wings, although it was slated to be replaced as part of the general switch to jet aircraft. What was to replace the A-1?

• A-3A Combat
• A-6A Intruder
• A-16A Golden Eagle

5. During the war, how many A-1 Navy Skyraiders shot down two Soviet-built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 jet fighters?

• 0
• 2
• 6

6. USAF Major Bernard F. Fisher piloted an A-1E on the March 10 1966 mission for which he was received a medal the Medal of Honor for rescuing Major "Jump" Myers at A Shau Special Forces Camp. What was the medal?

• Silver Star
• Air Force Cross
• Medal of Honor

7. As the Vietnam war progressed, USAF A-1s were painted in dark Navy blue.

• True or False?

8. In 1965, to highlight the dropping of the six millionth pound of ordnance; Commander Clarence J. Stoddard, flying an A-1H, dropped a special, one-time only, object in addition to his other munitions. What did he drop?

• A spaghetti bomb
• A toilet
• A paper bomb

9. A-1E (AF Serial No. 52-132649) is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. This aircraft was originally a US Navy aircraft assigned Bureau Number (BuNo) 132649. Transferred to USAF, it was flown by Major Bernard Francis Fisher on 10 March 10 1966 when he rescued a fellow pilot shot down over South Vietnam in the midst of enemy troops.

• True or False?

10. Production of the A-1 ended in 1957. How many were built?

• 318
• 3,180
• 31,180

Fred Zabitosky Answers

1. December 1946

2. True

3. Dark Navy Blue

4. A-6A Intruder

5. 2

6. Medal of Honor

7. False. They were painted camouflage.

8. A toilet

9. True

10. 3,180