Douglas A-1H Skyraider Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions

Book excerpt: Designed to allow maximum loiter time in the battle zone, the A-1 Skyraider was one of the U.S. military¿s most versatile Cold War-era aircraft. It was also one of the most enduring ¿ the ¿Spad¿ flew in the 40¿s, 50¿s, 60¿s and early 70¿s, performing combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. Boasting heavy armor and seven hardpoints on each wing, it could pack a wallop. Yet the plane could also hold its own against fighters: in 1966 two Navy pilots scored victories against MiG-17s. Over 3,100 Skyraiders were built. They flew for the USAF until 1972. Originally printed by the U.S. Navy, this A-1H Flight Operating Manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Classified ¿Restricted¿, the manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted and color images appear in black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.