Airplane Model*Hobby Master HA2914 1:72 A-1H Skyraider TS/53-137628, 22nd SOS, 56th SOW, South Vietnam – Miniature Marvels: Airplane Models & Painted Dice

The A-1 Skyraider originated as a carrier-based torpedo and dive bomber. Deliveries as the AD-1
to the Navy began in November 1946 and in 1962 was renamed A-1. It was the first single-seat
torpedo/dive bomber to serve with the Navy. The primary mission of the A-1 was close air support
for ground troops because of its heavy ordnance load and accuracy. The aircraft had great
success in Korea and Vietnam. There were 3,180 Skyraiders built in seven major models and 28
different versions. There were 266 A-1s lost in Vietnam.
Some nicknames – Able Dog, Spad, Sandy, Hobo, Firefly, Zorro and “Crazy Water Buffalo,” a
VNAF nickname.

The 22nd Special Operations Squadron (SOS) operated in Southeast Asia from October 25,
1968 until September 30, 1970. During the Vietnam War the 22nd SOS was assigned to the 56th
Special Operations Wing (SOW) at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base and equipped with the
Douglas A-1H Skyraider. The 22nd SOS flew interdiction over the Ho Chi Minh Trail using call
sign Zorro. A-1H TS 53-137628 also supported rescue of downed pilots. The shark mouth was
added to TS 53-137628 as a friendly poke at F-4 pilots. TS 53-137628 was lost in 1971.