r335026wa

Douglas AD-1E

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).

Color picture of Douglas EA-1F Skyraider turning out of formation. In Light Gull Gray and Insignia White with squadron code GD of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Thirty-Three (VAW-33) on tail plus Modex number 809 on engine cowling. Below that are individual markings on nose, a chess game knight and possible black bird symbol plus some unreadable italic script across at a diagonal angle. Unfortunately the ‘last five’ of serial number on base of tail is entirely obscured. Image resolution is insufficient to read full serial number in shadow below horizontal tail This EA-1F was one of 53 AD-5Ns converted and redesignated AD-5Q as a four-seat electronic countermeasures aircraft fitted with search radar and under wing ECM pods . The two electronics operators were seated facing aft underneath a bulged aluminum rear canopy with small semi-circular window. APS-31 radar pod installed on the starboard underwing pylon. Other antenna protrude from the aft ventral fuselage and extreme tail. Auxiliary fuel tank on centerline station. All AD-5Qs were redesignated EA-1F from September 1962. Dedicated VA(AW)-33 / VAW-33 / VAQ-33 website: www.reenactor.net/vaq-33/vaq-33_history.html