I spoke with Bob Carlsen today to make sure I had all the correct information before I began the build. Byron Hukee was also a tremendous help in getting great info on the A-1, and providing some amazing reference photos. Bob was active duty Air Force for 9 1/2 years. After pilot training for the A-1, he attended jungle survival school in the Philippines. He arrived in Vietnam July 1971. After Inprocessing, he was assigned to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, Thailand as part of a search and rescue team.
The Skyraiders would go out with the Jolly Green Giants to rescue downed pilots. Bob left Vietnam in December of 1972. In his time there, he was awarded 8 Distinguished Flying Cross’s, with V device, and 3 Silver Stars.
He told me that there were pilots that got more than him. He attained the rank of LTC. After his time in service, he flew for UPS.
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He is a very humble man. He has given me permission to post these photos of him, and his plane. The decals are complete. I’m waiting for the last of the aftermarket items to arrive.
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