The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was a single-engine, propeller-driven attack aircraft that originated as a carrier-based torpedo and dive bomber and served from the mid-1940s into the early 1980s. Renowned for its ruggedness, long loiter time, and ability to carry an immense and diverse ordnance load, it became a workhorse for close air support during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, affectionately nicknamed “Spad.” Despite being a piston-engine aircraft in the jet age, its capabilities in supporting ground troops and escorting rescue missions made it invaluable, even scoring a few unlikely air-to-air victories against jet fighters.