I'm just curious, and I'm having a hard time finding it on google....what exactly does the term "Sandy" mean? It is used to describe something or other about the A-1 Skyraiders at the end. Can anyone enlighten me? This was a great movie and I've seen it a hundred times, but never figured out why those planes are referred to the way they are.
shareThe Douglas A-1 (formerly AD) Skyraider carried various nicknames including:
"Spad" (a biplane aircraft of World War I),
"Able Dog" (phonetic AD),
the "Destroyer,"
"Hobo" (radio call sign of the USAF 1st Air Commando/Special operations Squadron),
"Firefly" (602nd ACS/SOS),
"Zorro" (22nd SOS),
"The Big Gun,"
"Old Faithful,"
"Old Miscellaneous,"
"Fat Face" (AD-5/A-1E version, side-by-side seating),
"Guppy" (AD-5W version),
"Q-Bird" (AD-1Q/AD-5Q versions),
"Flying Dumptruck" (A-1E),
"Sandy" (Combat Search And Rescue helicopter escort)
and "Crazy Water Buffalo" (South Vietnamese nickname).
I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!
Thanks for all the info CGSailor!
shareSandy was the call sign used for escort aircraft assigned to rescue helicopters. Since that role was often filled by A-1's, Sandy was a common nickname associated with them. In the case of the movie A-1's, it's their literal call sign on that flight.
shareI think that was already pointed out years ago.
I got no problem with people adding to a discussion but to state what's already been stated....
And years late to the party at that.
I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!
Thats what happens when people dont read anything but the first post.
shareLOL, Had he but responded to the first post I would agree.
He responded to the post that thanked me for giving the correct infomation however. LMAO!
I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!
What does Danny Glover mean when they are going up on the flight deck and he says, "Lean into it gentlemen."?
shareThat is not specifically in aviation term. Lean into it comes from put your shoulder into it, meaning giving your maximum effort.
He is basically saying, let's give it our best.
I joined the Navy to see the world, only to discover the world is 2/3 water!
I gather that the term SPAD was a nickname meaning "Single Place AD", as most versions had 2 seats.
But what do I know, I was Avionics on the A7D.
"They sucked his brains out!"
"Spad": Also "Single Place AD" (Aircraft Douglas).
"I like you, Kane. You're normal!"... The Ninth Configuration