Airborne Departing C-130

SEA unknown location - 1973. Paratroopers departing C-130 from fairly low altitude ... no freefall ... may be static line jumps?? Although this old 35mm slide is fuzzy, three jumpers are visible in photo after departing from the left side door of the C-130 right behind the wing ... one jumper is visible with undeployed chute just to right of fuselage, a second is below the tail with unopened streaming chute, the third in lower left of photo has deployed chute starting to fill in the airstream. As is evident in photo there is always some risk to the jumpers of contacting the tail of the aircraft with body or chute if proper technique not followed.

Da Nang C-130 Engine Art

DaNang 1973 ... Palletized aircraft engine ready for loading onto our C-130. Interesting how aluminum pallet is suspended from heavy duty forklift with chains so as to be able to rest the big load on the tracked rollers of the C-130 cargo bay. The engine is encased with platstic bag to keep it clean ... someone with an artistic flare decorated wrap with happy face, flowers, and serial number.

Taiwan Foot Bridge

On short R&R in Taiwan (1973) in between standard multi-week C-130 Vietnam assignments. Often took day trips into the rugged mountains that form north-south spine along the length of the island. Here a very long foot bridge spans a swiftly flowing river. They should have charged money to cross the bridge since it was as exciting as an amusement park ride given the swinging and swaying with each step high over the rapids. Fortunately there was some loose netting to give some measure of protection.

C-130-E Up Close In Flight

Photo taken from copilot's position on another C-130. This baby cruising along at about 10,000 feet ... all cleaned up with retracted gear and flaps ... engines all in perfect synch and humming their unmistakable sound ... she's looking good in slightly dirty camo dress. Over Vietnam - 1973.

Bomb Damage Hanoi North Vietnam

Aerial photo from C-130 as we approached Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi shortly following 1973 ceasefire, and not long after Linebacker II 1972 Christmas bombing. Appears that these are storage facilities in upper half of frame along with some military transport vehicles?? Many of the buildings are heavily damaged as might be expected given the large bomb craters evident in left side of picture.

Thai OV-10 FAC

Royal Thai Air Force OV-10 Bronco built by North American Aviation Rockwell; probably Nakon Phnom (NKP) Thailand – 1972. The OV-10 is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter insurgency (COIN) combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. It can carry up to three tons of external munitions, and loiter for three or more hours. A "tri-service" specification for the Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (LARA) was approved by the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army and was issued in late 1963. The LARA requirement was based on a perceived need for a new type of "jungle fighting" versatile light attack and observation aircraft. Existing military aircraft in the observation role, such as the O-1 Bird Dog and O-2 Skymaster, were perceived as obsolescent, with too slow a speed and too small a load capacity for this flexible role. This text was lifted from web Wiki.