AbleDog - Murph's Skyraider in 1:100

[MichaelS]

To the Air Force they were "SPADs". To the Navy they were "Able Dogs". This is a kit of the very last propellor driven aircraft to down a jet.

See here:

https://theaviationist.com/2015/01/1...amese-mig-17s/


"The second victory of the propeller-driven Skyraider against a* North Vietnamese MiG-17 jet fighter, took place on Oct. 9, 1966 and involved four A-1Hs launched* from the deck of the USS Intrepid (CV-11) in the Gulf of Tonkin flying as “Papoose flight.”

The flight was from the*Strike Squadron*176 (VA-176) Thunderbolts and it was led by Lt. Cdr. Leo Cook, with Lt. Wiley as wingman, while the second section was led by Lt. Peter Russell with Lt. William T. Patton as wingman.

It was during the RESCAP (the REScue Combat Air Patrol, a mission flown to protect the downed pilots from ground threats) flight, that the “Spads” (as the Skyraiders were dubbed by their pilots) were attacked by four MiG-17s. This engagement ended with one Fresco confirmed as being shot down, a second as probably shot down and a third heavily damaged.

According to McCarthy, the MiG-17 kill was awarded to “Papoose 409,” the A-1H BuNo 137543, flown by Lt. Patton who,*after having*gained a position of advantage on one of the MiGs, opened fire with his four guns, hitting the tail section of the enemy jet. Patton followed the MiG which descended through the cloud deck and when Papoose 409 emerged from the clouds he spotted the enemy pilot’s parachute."


So far a typical Murph kit. This should be quite striking in 1:100.

[Brent]

Looking forward to the build.

Brent

[MichaelS]

AbleDog - Murph's Skyraider in 1:100

Progress thru quittin' time.

[Rata]

Looking great Michael (even from my upside down viewpoint ). The prominent exhaust stains look really convincing on this Murph's model.

You've probably had to answer this before- those metal holder thingys- are they surgical instruments or something? They look to be very handy tools to have.

[MichaelS]

Thanks sleepy.

Cross action tweezers. I also like wooden clamp clothes pins.

[Don Boose]

I've built this one at 1/48. It went together very well. Part of my Vietnam 50 project.

Nice work on yours, Michael.

Don

[Ofanim]

Already looking good !
This is my favorite livery on the Skyrider so far.
I want to build this plane too but I will choose the S&P one, which is more suitable for 1/100 scale ! You're brave building this one which is supposed to be way more bigger !
Best regards,
Ronan

[MichaelS]

A dead ARVN SPAD in II Corp in 1970. Don't know the story behind this. As I recall it was on the side of the active when we went in to refuel. PhuBai, PhuCat or one of those Phu places.

[Don Boose]

Great images, Michael!

I can't read the tail number, but the yellow-black checkered fuselage stripe indicates 23rd Tactical Wing, which operated A-1Es and A-1Hs out of Bien Hoa, and which supported our battalion in Vinh Binh Province in 1966-67.

The kWe tail code for what looks like an A-1E would indicate an aircraft of the VNAF 518th Fighter Squadron (letter code k), if this painting by Co Vu is accurate: VNAF: 2012 I get the impression that Co Vu (VNAF) an artist who strives for accuracy, so I think it is likely that the painting is accurate.

If you can read the tail number on the original photo you took, I think we have a good chance to find out what happed to the aircraft.

Don

[Gene K]

Originally Posted by Don Boose

... Co Vu (VNAF) an artist who strives for accuracy ... .

Thanks for the link to that outstanding site, Don!

Gene K