Hobby Master 1/72 HA2913 Douglas A-1H Skyraider Puff The Magic Dragon BuNo 142059, VA-165 Boomers, USS Inttrepid, Summer 1966

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.
Douglas A-1H Skyraider 142059 was delivered to VA-125 in 1956 and served with four other squadrons before going to the VA-165 Boomers in 1963. Between April 1966 and November 1966, VA-165 carried out its third and final tour of Vietnam. On board the USS Intrepid were VA- 125 and one squadron of A-4 Skyhawks. A-1H 142059 Puff The Magic Dragon was assigned to Lt. Cdr Speed Ritzman for this period. In 1967 this aircraft was transferred to the USAF and later to the VNAF where it was shot down in May 1968.