Interviews with the core restoration team from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This video includes video and photos of the year and a half restoration of this aircraft which is now on display in the Southeast Asia War Gallery.

United States Air Force Skyraiders in Southeast Asia are often remembered for their support of search and rescue (SAR) missions. Operating under the call sign Sandy, the A1's extended loiter time and massive firepower offered pilots the ability to protect downed Airmen for extended periods. Whereas jet aircraft often had to leave the battle area for refueling, the A1s provided nearly continuous suppressing fire until helicopters extracted downed Airmen.

The aircraft on display represents Captain Ronald Smith’s A1H The Proud American (Serial Number 52139738) as it appeared during his SAR mission in June 1972 as part of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Captain Smith was awarded the Air Force Cross for the rescue of a downed F4 Phantom crewman near a North Vietnamese airfield.

The Proud American had a long and storied record in Southeast Asia. Although many pilots flew the plane, it is renowned for three separate episodes: Lt Col William Jones’ Medal of Honor mission in 1968, Capt Ronald Smith’s Air Force Cross mission in June 1972, and for being the last US Air Force A1 lost in combat in Southeast Asia in September 1972.

This aircraft (US Navy BuNo 134600) was modified and painted by the Museum’s Restoration Division to represent Capt Smith’s Air Force Cross aircraft and placed on display in 2022. It was part of OPERATION FARM GATE and flown by the South Vietnamese Air Force from 1965 to 1975. The Air Force Museum Foundation funded the A1H Restoration via a partnership with the A1 Skyraider Association – the first time the Foundation partnered with a single organization to fund an aircraft restoration. Members and associates of the A1 Skyraider Association provided all donations to the A1H Restoration Fund.

https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Vis...