The Author Frederick A. Johnsen is the author of numerous historical aviation books, including Thundering Peacemaker, T...
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The Author Frederick A. Johnsen is the author of numerous historical aviation books, including Thundering Peacemaker, The B-29 Book, Bombers in Blue, Darkly Dangerous, and The Bomber Barons. His articles and photographs have appeared inAirpower,Airman,Aviation Week and Space Technology,Air Progress, FlyPast,Air Classics, Wings, GeneralAviationNews andFlyer, KokuFan, and other periodicals and books. Fred has degrees in history andjournalism from the University ofWashington, where he worked his way through college in the University's Kirsten Wind Tunnel. He served as the consulting curator to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, during critical design phases there, and was the founding curator of the McChord Air Museum at McChord Air Force Base, Washington. He has worked as an Air Force historian since 1981, receiving recognition from Air Mobility Command and the U.S. Air Force, including the U.S. Air Force Excellence in Wing History Programs Award for 1992, for his work.
Douglas
A·1 SKYRAIDER A Photo Chronicle Frederick A. Johnsen
Schiffer Military/Aviation History Atglen, PA
Front cover artwork by Steve Ferguson, Colorado Springs, CO PATTON'S SPAD On 9 October 1966, four VA-176 A-1H Skyraiders from the USS Intrepid were vectored deep into North Vietnam to cover a rescue helicopter trying to reach a downed F-4 Phantom II crew. After pushing through a brief flak barrage, the Spad lead flight pushed further inland where they were set upon by four MiG 17's. In the ensuing maneuvers which twisted down to tree top level, the opponents separated and two of the jets were heavily damaged at the hands ofthe Spad flight leader and his wingman. Seconds later, tail-end-element Lt(jg) Tom Patton in Spad "09" (Bu.N. 13543) reached the fight and dropped down on the last MiG skimming just above the jungle. The enemy pilot attempted a climbing turn followed with a reverse turn which negated all of the MiG's speed. Patton skillfully split-S'ed into point blank range at six o'clock and closed to within 100 feet of the silver intruder. After gutting his target with the last of his 20mm ammo, Patton even tried for a coup de grace with four of his Zuni rockets but missed. The riddled MiG rolled over and plunged out of sight through a low hanging cloud. After a quick turn beneath the thin cloud bank, the victorious Navy aviator caught a glimpse of the MiG driver drifting into the jungle beneath his parachute.
Acknowledgements: Edward H. Heinemann, designer of the Douglas Skyraider, provided many hours' insight into the design and development of this aircraft. He also read the manuscript in an effort to track down any errors that might have crept in. General Nguyen Cao Ky gave his perspective and recollections of VNAF Skyraider operations. Harry S. Gann, of Douglas Aircraft Company at the time of my research, was a reliable source of vintage Skyraider photos. Museums lending a hand include the National Air and Space Museum, Pima Air Museum, U.S. Naval Aviation Museum, and the former, but not forgotten, Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation (PNAHF). The office of Naval History in the Washington Navy Yard was very helpful. Many individuals provided anecdotes, photos, research, and technical manuals. These include: Jerry Boynton, AI Butterworth, John Campbell, Gary Cave, Jeff Ethell, Dave Feigert, David M. Forrest, Rene J. Francillon, Herb Kissling, Keith Laird, William T. Larkins, Ronald G. Linder, Dave Menard, Houston Morrison, James and Jean Morrow, Earl Otto, Dennis Peltier, Doug Remington, Bill Riepl, and Paul Swendrowski, among others. Manuscript typing and proofreading chores were devotedly performed by Sharon Lea Johnsen and Helen F. Johnsen. From his library of vintage aviation publications, my father, Carl M. Johnsen, performed Skyraider research. The chapter footnote citations are rich with bibliographic material about books and periodicals containing Skyraider information. Special thanks to Barrett Tillman and Walt Boyne.
Dedication
For Sharon