New Zealand Bristol 170 Freighter in Saigon

Parked on the ramp at Tan Son Nhut Airfield in Saigon, Vietnam is an New Zealand transport – 1972. After a very long search on the web I finally identified this strange looking bird as a Bristol 170 Freighter that was produced between 1945 and 1950. I read that only 214 were produced ... so a rare bird indeed. The twin engine radial prop driven, tail dragger plane had unusual elevated cockpit beneath which there were clam-like opening doors for loading cargo from the front … giving aircraft awkward snub-nosed appearance. It could hold up to three vehicles, assorted cargo, or passengers. Numerous protective arched revetments can be seen on the Saigon flight line. To the right of the Bristol transport is a small single engine prop Cessna 0-1 Bird-dog used for Forward Air Control (FAC) observation missions.