Hobby Master 1/72 A-7D Corsair 70-0970 354th TFW 1970s

On November 18, 1972, Maj. Colin A. "Arnie" Clarke of the 354th TFW led a flight of three Search and Rescue A-7Ds as part of a massive effort near Thanh Hoa, North Vietnam, where a downed F-105 crew awaited pickup. Clarke repeatedly descended through treacherous weather and heavy AAA, using his projected map display to guide Jolly Green helicopters. He suppressed enemy gun positions - including one dangerously close to a survivor - while other A-7s laid smoke. Despite being hit by enemy fire, Clarke shielded the Jollys during extraction and nursed his damaged A-7 to safety after nine hours airborne. For his valor, he received the Air Force Cross.

Clarke's A-7D #70-0970 is preserved and currently on display at the National Museum of the USAF at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.