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Four Douglas AD-6 / A-1H Skyraiders in tight echelon right formation all in Light Gull Gray and Insignia White and colored diamond shapes on rudder. Wearing Carrier Air Group Eight (CVG-8) code AJ on tail, repeated on wings. (from aircraft closest four numbers of its six digit serial on base of tail) 9636 Modex 501 3964 Modex 510 3525 Modex 507 Modex 502 unidentified USS FORRESTAL on rear fuselages Aircraft belonged to VA-85 ‘Black Falcons’. Some part serial numbers are over rudder decoration and indecipherable. Information taken from 'GO!NAVY' internet website, courtesy of Takafumi Hiroe, citizen of Japan and naval aviation historian: www.gonavy.jp/index.html www.gonavy.jp/CVGf.html www.gonavy.jp/CVG-CVG8-2f.html VA-85 was assigned to CVG-8 aboard CVA-59 USS Forrestal from at least 1958 to 1963. VA-85 info webpage: www.militaryaircrafthistorian.com/va-85.html Representative period picture VA-85 ‘Black Falcons’ AD-6/A-1H Skyraiders: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A-1H_VA-85_CVA-59_Mar1963... Two Douglas A-1H Skyraider of VA-85 Black Falcons await launch during the fly off of squadrons of Carrier Air Group Eight (CVG-8) from the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) as it approached the United States on 1 March 1963 at the end of her 1962/63 deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. From known AD-6 production batches the closest match to full serial numbers are; Bu No 139636 Modex 501 Bu No 13964? Modex 510 Bu No 13525? Modex 507 The only identified airframe is AD-6 / A-1H 139636. When flying with VA-152 during the Vietnam War, the aircraft suffered engine failure and was lost during a test flight over the Gulf of Tonkin on July 21, 1965. Fortunately the pilot was able to bail out and be rescued.

In Light Gull Gray and Insignia White scheme, Douglas AD-6 Skyraider 134531 with two under wing fuel tanks and chocked wheels on an airfield apron under cloudy skies. Aircraft designation AD-6 and full Navy number 134531 below horizontal tailplane. Date of picture unknown. Aircraft belonged to VA-15 ‘Valions’ with Modex 514 on engine cowl and tail code AB of Carrier Air Group / Wing One (CVG-1 / CVW-1). VA-15 served with CVG-1 / CVW-1 from 1949 to 1964/65. After September 1962 all AD-6 were redesignated A-1H. Picture of A-1H Skyraider 134531: groups.yahoo.com/group/PropNavy/attachments/folder/196721... 134531 NH-505 A-1H VA-115 at NAS Lemoore no date After retirement from the US Navy and storage, this A-1H Skyraider was one of many overhauled modified, repainted and acquired for service in South East Asia. A-1H 134531 was transferred to the Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) of the then Republic of South Vietnam but its fate is as yet unknown. Probably lost in the war or captured by the invading North Vietnamese 1973-1975.

The aircraft escorting the AC-119K is a Douglas A-1H (AD-6) Skyraider, USAF Serial No. 52-139608 (ex- US Navy BuNo 139608), "Blood Sweat Tears," of the 1st Special Operations Squadron (SOS), 56th Special Operations Wing (SOW). It would later be transferred to the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF).