The photos in this edition are black and white. The A-1 had a lot of names over the years... some unofficial, some not-and some that were not complimentary. In 1945, it was introduced as the Dauntless II; in 1946 it was renamed the Skyraider. To its crews though, it was the Able Dog, Spad, Queen, Big Iron Bird, Flying Dump Truck, or simply the AD.
Its missions were varied as its nicknames. A-1s flews as dive bombers, torpedo bombers, airborne early warning craft, flying ambulances, aerial tankers, and search-and-rescue support. While this propeller-driven aircraft may appear to have been an analogy in the jet age, the A-1 proved to be an effective and versatile platform well into the 1970s. It even served in Vietnam, scoring victories over North Vietnamese MiGs.
Authors Larry Davis and Dave Menard have pulled together more than 200 photos and diagrams to illustrate the A-1's long service life. The authoritative text covers the A-1's entire history, including service in Korea and Vietnam, its many variations, and its armament. It's a fascinating look at one of the 20th Century's most versatile aircraft.