Personal photos/text taken in/out of Vietnam combat zone from perspective of copilot on USAF C-130 345th Tactical Airlift Crew. Not just about the war, but also about the people/places of the region during 1972. This is where I got my first Nikon film SLR which turned into lifelong passion albeit now Canon digital SLR. The photos are recent digital scans from old 35mm slides wasting away in hot/cold attic for 40 years. Extensive Photoshop editing has been used to make them somewhat presentable.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Saigon Lambro 550
Two tree-wheeled Lambro 550 vehicles waiting for GI fares in Saigon – 1972. I know these cheap public transportation noise and pollution makers had nick names but can’t remember what … reminds me a bit of the old jitney buses in Atlantic City. A trip in one of these could sometimes rival a thrilling amusement park ride especially in congested downtown traffic. A little research shows they were Italian made with tiny 9hp, 198cc engines, and did get 45mpg. Appears steering and controls inside cab of this 4-speed was similar to a motorcycle. Thank goodness top speed was only 35mph.
Hop-Tacs? We used to pile 6 guys in them to ride to and from the avionics maintenance building at Tan Son Nhut.
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