Skyraider Squadrons

 


 

USAF

USN

USMC

VNAF

French, Armee de l'air

Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

USAF

Disclaimer
(Prepared by "young" ret.USAF Spad driver, nuff said)
More mature individual (guy who done been there pre '71) volunteer need to clean up this mess

Squadron Location Callsigns Flew
Spads
from
Skyraider
models
Combat Tail Letters Squadron
History
1st SOS (ex 1st ACS, Fighter, 1st ACS)

 BienHoa,
QuiNhon,
NhaTrang,
Pleiku,
NKP
Hobo,
Sandy
1964-1972 A-1E/G/H/J* Vietnam

TC

 Here
6th SOS

Pleiku
Spad 1968-1969 A-1E/G/H/J Vietnam

ET

Here
22nd SOS

NKP
Zorro, Sandy 1968-1970 A-1 E/G/H/J Vietnam

TS

Coming
602nd SOS (ex 602nd ACS/Fighter Squadron (Commando))

Bien Hoa, Pleiku,
Udorn,
NKP
Firefly, Sandy 1964- 1970  A-1E/G/H/J  Vietnam

TT

Coming
4407 CCTS

Hurlburt
Field, FL
 Who remembers? 196? -1972 A-1E/H   -

 AD

Coming

*1stACS flew only A-1E while at BienHoa

I know there are errors here. Who will help me correct them?


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USN

Disclaimer
(Prepared by ret.USAF Spad driver, nuff said)
Brown shoe volunteer need to clean up this mess

In order to access the squadron histories that are available
in pdf format, you will need to download and install the free Acrobat Reader
software from this link.

  

Squadron
Histories
Flew
Spads
from
Skyraider
models
 Spad
Combat
Before
Spads
After
Spads
VA-1L
(ex VT-58)

1948
XBT2D-1,
AD-2
TBM-3W N/A
 VFAW-4 (ex VC-4)   1955-1958        
VAW-11 (ex VC-11)  1949-1960 AD-3/4W/2Q, EA-1F Korea,Vietnam     
VAW-12 (ex VC-12) 1949-1961 AD-4W,
AD-5W
Korea    E-1B 
VAW-13  19xx-1968 EA-1F Vietnam  

 EKA-3B
VA-15  1950-1965 AD-4/4L,
A-1H
 -  TBM-3Q A-4B
VA-16  1955-1958 A-1H - - -
VA-24 (ex VA-1B)  1947-1949        
VA-25 (exVA-2B) 1947-1968 A-1H/J Vietnam(3)   A-7 
VAQ-33 (ex VAAW-33, VC-33) 1950-1969 AD-4NL, AD-5N, AD-5Q
(EA-1F)
Korea,Vietnam F4F,TBF EA-6B
VA-34  1948-1950        
VAAW-35 (ex VC-35)  1950-1960 AD-4N Korea     
VA-35
(exVT-2,2B,3,4A)

1949
AD-1
AD-2

 -
 TBM-3W

-
VA-35
(ex VB-3B,4,3
VA-3A,34,35)
 1949-1959 AD-1
AD-2
AD-2Q
AD-3
AD-4
AD-4B
AD-4L
AD-4N
AD-5
AD-6
Korea   SB2C-5 A-6A
VA-42 (ex VA-3B) 1947-1948        
VA-45 (ex VA-4B) 1947-1957  AD-4B Korea    
VA-52 1959-1967?  A-1H/J  Vietnam(3)    
VA-54 (ex VF-54) 1949-1957  AD-2/4/L/Q Korea    
VA-55 1949-1957  AD-4 Korea     
VA-64 (ex VA-5B) 1947-1948        
VA-65 (ex VA-6B) 1947-1959 AD-2,
AD-4
Korea    
VA-74 1949-1949        
VA-75 1949-1963 AD-4 Korea    
VF-92 1955-1957        
VA-94 1949-1949        
VA-95 (2)  1952-1965 AD-1,
AD-4NA,
AD-4,
AD-4L,
A-1H/J
Vietnam  F6F-5
Hellcats
A-4C
Skyhawks
VA-96 1956-1958        
VA-104 1953-1959        
VA-105 1952-1958        
VA-114 1948-1949        
VA-115 (ex VA-12A) 1949-1967 AD-4/Q, A-1H/J Vietnam(3)   A-6A
Intruders 
VA-122 (RAG) 1959-1968?  A-1H/J      
VA-125
(ex VA-923)
1950-1957 AD-2,
AD-4Q,
AD-4,
AD-3,
AD-4B,
AD-4NA, AD-6,
AD-7
Korea  AM-1
Maulers 
N/A
VA-125 (2)
(ex VA-26)
 1960-1962 AD-5  

A-4C
Skyhawks

 A-4E
Skyhawks
VA-126 1958-1958        
VA-135 1961-1962        
VA-144 1959-1959        
VA-145 (ex VA-702)  1950-1968  AD-2/4Q, AD-4/L,A-1H/J Korea,Vietnam(3)  Avengers Intruders 
VA-152 1959-1968  A-1H/J Vietnam(3)   Skyhawks
VA-154 1948-1948        
VA-155 (ex VA-728) 1951-1958  AD-4/L/Q Korea   Skyhawks
VA-155 1948-1949        
VA-165 1960-1966  A-1H/J Vietnam(3)   Intruders 
VA-174 1949-1949        
VA-175 1948-1957        
VA-176 1955-1966        
VA-194 (ex VA-19A) 1946-1949        
VA-195 (ex VA-20A) 1947-1959 AD-1, AD-4  Korea Avengers  Skyhawks 
VA-196 (ex VF-194) 1951-1966?  AD-4NA/Q, A-1H/J Korea,Vietnam    Intruders
VA-215 1955-1965*  A-1H/J Vietnam(3)    Corsair IIs
VA-216 1955-1959        

I know there are errors here. Who will help me correct them?


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USMC

Disclaimer
(Prepared by ret.USAF Spad driver, nuff said)
Leatherneck volunteer need to clean up this mess

 Squadron Flew
Spads
from
Skyraider
models
 Spad
Combat
Before Spads After Spads

Tail
Codes
VMCJ-1 (ex VMC-1)  1952-1958 AD-4N AD-4NL AD-2Q AD-3N AD-4Q AD-4W  Korea   F3D RM
VMJC-2 (ex VMC-2)  1953-1958 AD-5W
AD-5N
     F3D CY
VMJC-3 (ex VMC-3) 1952-1958 AD-3W
AD-4W
AD-4N
     F3D WZ
VMAT-10  1952-1953          
VMAT-20  1952-1957 AD-1
AD-2
AD-4
AD-4L
  F4U
Corsair 
 F9F-6,
F9F-8
 
VMA-121  1951-1961

AD-2
AD-3
AD-4N AD-4W

 Korea    Skyhawks AK
VMA-151  1951-1957          
VMA-211 1952-1957

 AD-4B

    A-4  AF
VMA-212 1954-1957      F4U   WD
VMA-225  1954-1957

AD-5,
AD-4B 

    A-4 CE, WI
VMA-251  1953-1957

AD-3,
AD-4,
AD-4B

 Korea      
VMA-324  1954-1958          
VMA-331 1954-1958  AD-5
AD-6
  SDB
F4U 
 A-4 MP/
VL
VMA-332 1954-1956     F4U    MR

Bill Hahn has provided some of this info.

Bill Holmes, Jr. sent info along with some photos. Thanks Bill.

I know there are more errors here. Who will help me correct them?

Who else can assist?


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Republic of Viet Nam Air Force

Disclaimer
(Prepared with the generous assistance of Leon Wohlert
Additional information is available on his VNAF Website)
VNAF Spad pilots needed to correct errors and/or ommissions)

 Squadron Flew
Spads
from
Skyraider
models
 Spad
Combat
Before Spads After Spads

Tail
Codes
514th FS (ex 1st FS)

 1963?-1975
A-1H Vietnam F8F-1 Bearcat   -

 L, FF*
516th FS (ex 2nd FS)

 1963?-1975
A-1H  Vietnam  T-28C/D  -

 L*
518th FS

1963-1975
A-1H  Vietnam -  -

 K*
520th FS

1964-196?
A-1E/H  Vietnam

A-37B

V*
522nd FS

1965-196?
A-1E/H  Vietnam - F-5A

U*
524th FS

1965-196?
A-1E/H Vietnam  -  A-37B

 ?
530th FS

1969-197?
A-1E/H   Vietnam  -  -

?

I know there are errors here. Who will help me correct them?

 

*About the tailcodes:

The FF tailcode was most probably used only after 1973. It was found on one A-1H ( FFA ) that made it out in April 1975, in the large-large-small format.

The squadron letter for the 514th Fighter Squadron is L. Their aircraft would carry tailcodes like: LB , LE, so the first letter (large) is the squadron identifier, and the second letter (small) being the aircraft individual letter.

A-1Es of the 518th FS carried codes like KWA and KWC, with the smaller K and larger W being the squadron identifier and the smaller A and C being the aircraft identifiers.

The same rule applies for the A-1Es of the 520th FS, but their squadron identifier was VW and the tailcodes would look like VWC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

French Armee de l'air
Skyraider (Sky) Escadrille*

(Information kindly provided by Rene Francillon)

Altogether the French acquired 20 ex-USN AD-4s as well as 88 ex-USN AD-4Ns and 5 ex-USN AD-4NAs with the former three-seaters modified as single-seat aircraft with removal of the radar equipment and the two operator stations from the rear fuselage. (However, the French frequently used the aft station to carry maintenance personnel, spare parts and supplies to forward bases. In Chad they even used the aft station for a "bombardier" and his "special stores"--empty beer bottles--as these were considered as non-lethal weapons, thus not breaking the government-imposed rules of engagement, during operations against Libyan-supported rebels in the late sixties and early seventies. You may have seen this story printed elsewhere. It is true. I was first told about it by a first cousin who, as a Brig Gen in the French Army, commanded French forces in Chad when this "non-standard" operations took place!).

The AD-4N/NAs were initially acquired by the French to replace P-47Ds usedin operations against rebels in Algeria during the mid-fifties and early-fifties. At that time, France considered Algeria not as a colony but as an integral part of France with the natives given full privilege as French citizens. However, with the Soviet Union and others fanning the fire of independence (Have you read lately how many thousands of Algerians have killed in massacres since that unlucky country got its independence in 1962?), a nasty war was fought between 1954 and 1962.

The Skyraiders were first ordered in 1959 and the first was handed over to the French Air Force on 6 February 1960 after being overhauled and fitted with some French equipment (radios?) by the French manufacturer Sud-Aviation.

 Escadron Flew
Sky
from
Skyraider
models
 Sky
Combat
Before Sky After Sky Tail
Codes
 Remarks
"Ouarsenis" 2/20

1960-63
AD-4N Algeria P-47D?  ?

20-Qx
 Escadron 2/20 "Ouarsenis" (2nd squadron of the 20th wing named after the province "Ouarsenis" in French Algeria--traditionally, French squadrons are named after provinces) beginning in April 1960 at Boufarik AB in Algeria with a detachment at Biskra, later Tebessa, also in Algeria. Inactivated in Algeria on 31 December 1963.
"Aures-Nementchas" 1/20

1960-63
AD-4N Algeria,
Djoubiti
P-47D?  ?

 20-Lx
 Escadron 1/20 "Aures-Nementchas" from July 1960 at Boufarik with a det at Bone. Relocated to Bone, Algeria, in early September 1962 and then back to Boufarik in May 1963. Sent a four-aircraft detachment to Djibouti (then a French colony on the "horn of Africa"; it became independent in June 1977) in March 1963. Inactivated on 30 September 1963. (Most personnel and aircraft going to Escadron d'appui aerien 1/21--see below--in Djibouti.)
"Oranie" 3/20

1960-64
AD-4N Algeria P-47D?  ?

 20-Fx
Escadron 3/20 "Oranie" from October 1960 at Boufarik with a det at Oued Zenata, later Mecheria, in Algeria. Relocated to Oran-La Senia, Algeria, in September 1962. Redesignated Groupe de chasse 3/20 (Fighter Group 3/20) in November 1963 and remained in newly-independent Algeria until inactivated in March 1964. (Most personnel and aircraft going to Escadron de marche 2/21--see below-- to Madagascar.)
1/21

1963-72
AD-4N Djoubiti,
Chad

P-47D?

?

21-Lx
 Escadron d'appui aerien 1/21 (1st Air Support Squadron of the 21st Wing) activated at Djibouti on 1 October 1963. It had been preceded there since March 1963 by a four-aircraft detachment from Escadron 1/20. This squadron sent a detachment to Fort Lamy (since renamed N'Djamena) in Chad during August 1968. Inactivated in Djibouti on 31 December 1972.
2/21

1964-73
AD-4N,
AD-4NA
Madagascar P-47D? ?

U*
 Escadron de marche 2/21 (2d Temporary Squadron of the 21st Wing) activated at Ivato, Madagascar, on 30 June 1964 with 10 AD-4N/NAs. Redesignated Escadron d'appui aerien 1/21 (Air Support Squadron 1/21) later in 1964. Inactivated in Madagascar in August 1973.
"Ain" 1/22

1969-75
AD-4N Chad P-47D? ?

 22-Dx

 Escadrille legere d'appui aerien 1/22 "Ain" (Light Air Support Flight 1/21 named after the French province of Ain) activated at Fort Lamy/N'Djamena on 1 March 1969 to take over operations in Chad from the 1/21 detachment.

Later enlarged to squadron size as Escadron d'appui aerien 1/22 "Ain" (Air Support Squadron 1/22). Returned to France in October 1975 to be inactivated.


* France donated fifteen Skyraiders to Cambodia in two batches (the first 10 being handed over in 1965), six Skyraiders to Chad (where they were flown by French mercenaries between 1976 and 1984), and eight Skyraiders to Gabon (where they were flown by French mercenaries serving with Gabon's Presidential Guard). The last Skyraider to bear French military markings (BuNo 126965, an AD-4N returned from Chad) made its final military flight at Bordeaux on 21 September 1979.

(Information kindly provided by Rene Francillon)

 



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