C-130-E External Fuel

A pair of beautiful C-130’s loading up in the hot midday sun of Saigon TSN Airbase, Vietnam – 1972. Here is a good view of the external fuel tank suspended below the wing between the two engines. The C-130-E had 4 main and 2 auxiliary fuel tanks in the wings along with the 2 external tanks. Total fuel capacity was 9,530 gallons or about 42,000 pounds. It’s interesting to note that the second aircraft in the background does not have external tanks. I suspect this was an older model C-130 belonging to the Vietnamese AF … they often flew “A” models although this one does not have the associated 3-bladded prop and stubby nose that would be expected ... therefore I think it is a "B' model.

F-111-A Takhli

A taxiing F-111-A fighter jet at Takhli Airbase in Thailand - 1973. A small number of F-111’s were deployed to SEA from Nellis AFB in Nevada toward the end of the war in Vietnam … flying to targets in North Vietnam. Unfortunately at first they were plagued with above average design related failures that were eventually corrected. After the war, fighter bomber versions of this aircraft (FB-111’s) were used by Strategic Air Command (SAC) as part of the cold war nuclear deterrent.

Phnom Penh C-47s

A fleet of Douglas C-47-A Cambodian Air Commercial airliners at airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 1972. We often flew into Phnom Penh with supplies as the city slowly became isolated, and eventually evolved into a hot spot under siege by advancing Khmer Rouge forces. Shortly after this photo was taken I discovered the foremost C-47 in photo (tail number XW-TDA) was struck by enemy mortar shells fired at the Kampot Airport south of Phnom Penh. The plane was on the ground and passengers were embarking … the 1944 built aircraft was destroyed along with 9 fatalities.

Thai Gold Baht Chains

A group of crewmembers checking out the goods at a small jewelry shop - 1973. I think this is in the city of Sattahip, Thailand, a few miles west of Utapao Airbase on the Gulf of Siam coast. Popular items were gold Four Seasons Bracelets, and pure gold Thai baht chains … baht was a unit of weight (also a form of currency) … thus there were one, two, three, etc. baht chains describing the size (weight) of the chain in gold.

A-1 Skyraiders at Pleiku

A pair of armed Vietnamese A-1 Skyraiders preparing for takeoff at Plieku Airbase in the central part of South Vietnam – 1972. The piston driven, single-seat Douglas aircraft originated during the early 1940s in WW2. It later saw service in Korea and then Vietnam where it was absorbed from the US Navy for use in Air Forces of both the US and South Vietnam. The A-1 had ability to carry large bomb loads, absorb heavy ground fire, and fly for long periods at low altitude; the A-1 was particularly suited for close air support missions. Vietnam call sign was Sandy, and it was often used as an escort for helicopters on rescue missions. Appear to be carrying 3 conventional weapons under each wing. These are probably A-1H models?

Phu Cat Medivac Chopper

US Army medical evacuation helicopter landing on ramp at Phu Cat, Vietnam - 1972. I think the aircraft is a variety of a Bell Huey. Not sure how much protection was guaranteed from enemy fire by the white paint job and red crosses. Doors on chopper are open with two crewmembers watching for arrival of some patients. I had an experience to be on a white DC-9 medivac jet with red crosses ... nicknamed the Nightengale it was equipped with medical gear, and configured to accommodate hospital stretchers.

Jakarta Good Deal

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly … got to see a huge range of places given the variety of flying tactical airlift. Here our C-130 crew had a fortunate “good deal”  trip to Jakarta, Indonesian to include some moments of relaxation and fun. Pictured is part of the crew (Captain Ed, Flight Engineer Tony, and Loadmaster Jim) sitting in courtyard of hotel we stayed at for a few days. Tropical plants, rock garden, thatched canopy sitting area, and a cooler of cold beer … not too shabby. You can see we all decided to buy local headgear … black velvet Nehru-like caps. A funny follow up: after a few beers someone leaned up against the large center post supporting the thatched canopy … it must have been rotten at ground level, and over it went. Fortunately the beer did not get damaged. What even happened to that hat?

Drop Zone

US Army Drop Zone team launching a red balloon to help gauge wind direction and velocity – SEA 1973. In right of photo a jeep equipped with radios is used to communicate with a C-130 overhead carrying airborne troops ready to make jumps into the DZ. The wind information coupled with aircraft altitude, direction, and airspeed would allow the C-130 to follow the appropriate track over the DZ for the jumps. In addition the calculations would determine when to go “Green Light”.  Prominent RED-GREEN lights were next to both paratroop doors on either side of the C-130 … in the cargo area aft of the wings … RED light was on approaching drop point. The Jumpmaster would be stationed at the door with the jumpers queued up toward front of plane. A switch in the cockpit (which also had small red-green lights) would be toggled over from RED to GREEN signaling time to jump ... definitely something not to screw up. Yellow smoke grenades were sometimes deployed at the DZ during the jump to clearly mark the target, and give paratroopers an indication of current wind conditions.