A U.S. Air Force A-1 Skyraider, tail code 'AD', rolls down the runway with gear extended in this vintage color photograph from the Vietnam War era. Rugged and heavily armed, the Skyraider served Air Commando and Special Operations squadrons as a close air support and rescue-escort ('Sandy') aircraft, prized for its long loiter time and ability to absorb battle damage that would down faster jet aircraft. Project: 219827