Two Douglas A-1 Skyraiders, present day. Wings folded in the carrier-stowage position, a pair of airworthy Skyraiders sit nose-on across an airport ramp at a commemorative flying event; the aircraft at right is mid-start, its Wright R-3350 radial throwing a characteristic cloud of exhaust smoke. Designed at the very end of the Second World War as a single-seat naval attack aircraft, the Skyraider found its defining role two decades later in Southeast Asia, where the U.S. Air Force flew it for close air support of special-operations reconnaissance teams and as the 'Sandy' escort for combat search-and-rescue missions. Its ability to carry a heavy ordnance load and remain over a target for hours made it irreplaceable. From the collection of Donald L. Engebretsen, A-1 pilot, OLAA Da Nang detachment. Project: 219505