C-130 Oven Hue Vietnam

Hanging out the cockpit window of C-130-E while parked on the ramp in Hue, Vietnam - 1972. Without engines running there was no air conditioning, and the inside of the aircraft was like an oven in the Southeast Asian heat. One window on each side of the cockpit opened inward to provide just a little bit of ventilation. These windows also allowed emergency escape from the plane if you could manage to maneuver through it with aid of a handle on the inside above the window ... while dropping to the ground you would need to avoid the pointy object about 4 feet below the window. This was the critical pitot tube that provided airspeed to instruments in the cockpit. Important line items of the pilot's checklists were "Pitot Heat - On/Off" ... if these devices iced up at altitude they could provide incorrect airspeed that could be fatal.

Nakom Phnom (NKP) Airbase Thailand

Nicely constructed covered sign identifying Nakom Phnom Royal Thai Air Force Base at NKP, Thailand - 1973. NKP was important for air rescue and other North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodian operations because of its location in the far northeast corner of Thailand. Our C-130 crew occasionally used this as home base for a week or two of flying daily sorties.

ARVN Soldiers Boarding C-130

A group of about 50 ARVN soldiers waiting to board C-130 via rear cargo doors - 1973. Unclear where this was, but appears to be a small remote dirt airstrip that we often flew into in central part of Vietnam. This 35mm slide was in very rough condition thus the appearance despite about an hour spent on extensive Photoshop processing ... turned out to be similar to what some Photoshoppers might call intensional woodcuteffect.

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.