Was the A-1H Skyraider the plane referred to as “sandy” in vietnam?
Yep
Was also known as Spad & Able Dog, among others…
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phantomphixer, if I’m not mistaken…the skyraiders used that as a call sign when they went on a specialized kind of mission. I think it was wild weasel type mission. (or was it a pilot rescue?) I guess I’m not that much help… I’m sure someone will know which one it was.[:I]
It’s the second one…they were apparently the perfect escort for rescuing downed pilots because they were slow could carry a BUNCH of ordanance and could linger over the pilot for long periods. They could also take alot of punishment! Hope this helped![:D]
Skyraiders were often time used for RESCAP in SAR operations and where known as Sandy, thus the call sign. It may have had something to do with this definition of the word ‘Sandy’:
SANDY: the navigational name of the northeastern-most corner of the Saigon Flight Information Region (FIR), of which flight past assured the crew of combat pay and combat income tax exemption.
I dunno if this is all really connected, I wasn’t there! But in makes sense…
Some other info on the names given to the Skyraider:
'Twas originally designated and named the BT2D Dauntless II
When the USN designation system changed in 1946, it was then known as the AD (Attack, Douglas) (hence the nickname Able Dog)
The unofficial name ‘Spad’ was also connected with the AD designation; someone along the line coming up with the acronym SPAD (Single Place Attack Douglas)
The Skyraider was also known as ‘Hobo’ (callsign?), ‘The Flying Dumptruck’ and ‘Trau Dien’, which is Vietnamese for ‘Crazy Water Buffalo’.
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Outstanding thak you all for the information and the help, that’s a model on my to do list that is quickly moving up the list and i want to make sure i had the right aircraft.
Outstanding thank you all for the information and the help, that’s a model on my to do list that is quickly moving up the list and i want to make sure i had the right aircraft.
SANDY,
This is the callsign used for any USAF aircraft operating in the RESCORT role. RESCORT is Rescue Escort and they are the guys escorting the rescue helicopters in the CSAR package. In VIetnam, A-!'s flew the RESCORT mission and when they did they used the callsign SANDY. Nowadays, we use A-10’s as our SANDYs. SANDY is also used as a currency designation and not all A-10 drivers are SANDY qualified. I’ve actually had the misfortune of having F-16’s, F-18’s and even F-15E’s take the place of A-10’s in the SANDY role both operationally and in exercises. Usually it was when the A-10’s were doing a unit swap or something, but the pointy -nosed guys just can’t slow down enough to do a good job of escorting the helo’s. The other thing SANDYs do is SANDY lead goes in ahead of the helo’s and checks out the survivor’s area for threats. He trys to establish contact with the survivor and when feasable, directs the helo’s in for the pick up. This role is called OSC or On Scene Commander. During the recovery, one helo (Jolly low) is the pick-up bird, and the other (high bird) is the cover ship. The SANDY’s (usually two two-ships) swap each other out going from the survivor area to the tanker, in order to maintain constant coverage for the helo’s. SANDY lead’s are busy guys and are a very important part of the whole picture. SANDY’s need to have good comm gear, great eyes on the ground, good loiter time, and relatively slow speeds to be effective. Even used AV-8’s one time but there problem was time on station (low internal fuel).
RESCAP is another CSAR Task Force piece that is usually done by F-15’s, F-14’s or even F-16’s. These are the guys who do a fighter sweep of the survivor area, and maintain a CAP until the recovery is complete.
Sorry for the long reply but just thought you all might want to know how it all fits in the CSAR (Combat Search & Rescue) arena.
Tommorrow boys and girls we’ll talk about how the USMC does TRAP (Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and/or Personnel). The marines don’t do CSAR. The Marines take ground, do or get what they want, and then leave. Oh Rah!
Salbando
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salbando, thanks for the info…I for one found it very interesting! PJ’s rock![bow]
Hey guys here is a good site for what is envolved in a rescue of a downed piolet back in the VN war.
http://www.check-six.com/Coast_Guard/Crash_of_Jolly_23-pg2.htm
Man if I only had the room to make a scene with all of that [:p]
Any worth a look!
had to add some more [;)]
For the call signs and what Sq they go with.
This site has all the branchs also
http://skyraider.org/skyassn/skysqds.htm#anchor888015
Skip
Nice to see that someone remembers my old squadron; 22nd SOS, “ZORRO” from NKP. We flew everything from SAR, Tropic Moon, Skyspot and Igloo White missions.
NKP was truly the Jungle Air Force and you had to be there. Finally got all the red mud out of my Tiger suit.[bow]
Nice to see that someone remembers my old squadron; 22nd SOS, “ZORRO” from NKP. We flew everything from SAR, Tropic Moon, Skyspot and Igloo White missions.
NKP was truly the Jungle Air Force and you had to be there. Finally got all the red mud out of my Tiger suit.[bow]
Wasn’t SANDY derived from Search and destroy?
No Sandy was just for S&R missions. The A-1H Skyraider went by the name Spad was for S&D type missions or when they need more fire power in a rescue mission.
Suggest reading “My Secret War” by Richard Drury - he flew Spads for the USAF in SEA and participated in RESCAP and SAR missions. Not sure if it is still in print.
Jim
When the A-1H flew a SAR mission would his weapons loadout be different that of his load on a search and destroy mission? sorry for all the question just curious
Why not use an AC-130 Spectre for the Sandy role?
Any enemy closing in on that downed pilot would be in for a big surprise indeed. 
Mike
I still love that scene in “Flight Of The Intruder” where that pair of A-1’s rolls in.
Gives me goosebumps when I see that scene. [tup]
Mike
I flew the A-6 in Viet Nam, including holding high and monitoring while Sandy & Jolly did their thing. Most of the time it was too hot for a trash hauler like a C-130, Spectre or not. There were no more composed, professional gun fighters in South East Asia. GOOD GUYS and great pilots. When the call sign of Sandy is mentioned, men who were there stand. Semper Fi. Razor
Excellent reading and some pretty good pics.
I keep it with all my other reference material.
Randie [C):-)]