Jun 30th, Battle Damage

Da Nang Air Base frequently served as an emergency safe haven for battle damaged aircraft. Occasionally, I happened to be on the flight line with a camera and I was able to capture a few close-up photos of those aircraft.

Also, one morning after we had received a mortar/rocket attack, I went out with my camera to assess the damage. One round had landed in the POL area which was very close to my barracks.  Later, I heard that an AP had been killed in the same attack. I have included photos of some of that damage, in this post.

Another incident occurred out on the flight line, as I was returning to the Electric Shop on my bike. An Air Force flight line pick-up truck approached from the rear and decided at the last moment to make a right hand turn behind me. Unfortunately, the truck's front bumper speared the rear wheel of my bike, sending me somersaulting over the handlebars, landing on the tarmac. Fortunately, I was uninjured except for a few minor cuts and scrapes on my hands and arms. But my bike didn't fare as well. The rear wheel and handlebars were bent beyond repair. The truck's driver was so upset and concerned at what had happened that he paid me, on the spot ($15), for a new bike. I've included photos of that "battle damaged" bike.

I hope that you find these photos to be interesting. Is this a worthwhile project?  Please let me know your thoughts about whether or not I should continue, and/or how I might improve it.

Tail damage to an F-4 Phantom II.

Damage to right wing trailing edge on an F-4 Phantom II. 

Damage to right wing leading edge of an F-4 Phantom II. A miracle the wing did not break off! 

Rear fuselage damage to an F-105 Thunderchief.

Damage to vertical stabilizer on an F-105 Thunderchief.

BBC cameraman setting up to film an A-4 Skyhawk's damage.

BBC cameraman filming an A-4 Skyhawk with damage just behind the cockpit. 

BBC cameraman prepares to begin filming a damaged A-4 Skyhawk. 

BBC cameraman filming an A-4 Skyhawk with damage just behind the cockpit. 

BBC cameraman finishes up filming a damaged A-4 Skyhawk. 

Damage to area behind the A-4 Skyhawk's cockpit.

Close-up view of damage just to the rear of cockpit on an A-4 Skyhawk.

A-4 Skyhawk with severe nose damage, including a flat nose wheel tire.

Close-up of nose damage to an A-4 Skyhawk.

An HU-16 Albatross with most of it's nose destroyed. 

USAF POL pick-up truck with shrapnel damage. Impact crater in the foreground.

Close-up view of shrapnel damaged POL pick-up truck.

Shrapnel damaged Ford F-100 (1962?) POL pick-up truck. 

My first brand new, "made in Vietnam" bicycle, about 1 month after purchase. Cost - $15 

My first bicycle, shortly after an unfortunate encounter with a USAF pick-up truck.

Jun 26th, VIP and USO Visitors

My next batch of photos includes shots that I took of General Westmoreland, Senator Ted Kennedy, Johnny Unitas, Frank Gifford and Sam Huff.

I had absolutely no prior knowledge that any of these individuals were going to be on the base, so I was not prepared. As I accidentally stumbled onto them, fortunately, I either had my camera on me, or I had quick access to one.

I understand that Senator Kennedy had flown in on General Westmoreland's specially appointed C-123 "White Whale" to visit South Vietnamese refugee centers in Da Nang. I happened to have my Minolta 16 mm camera in my pocket, that day, and I was able to snap off a few shots of him while he was on the tarmac. I apologize for their horrible quality. That camera took half-way decent photos, but the film apparently was very difficult for the photo finishers in Da Nang city to handle. Even the negatives were all scratched and dirty.

I don't have much recollection of General Westmoreland's visit or how I happened to spot him heading out for departure on the flight line. I think I read somewhere that he was an avid fitness buff and was extremely competitive in tennis. The rumor was that he had injured his left wrist while playing tennis, thus the cast.

One evening, I decided to go over to the Base Theater to watch something or other and have a bag of popcorn. After a steady diet of C-rations, the popcorn was actually the greatest incentive for going to the theater. C-rations in the Chow Hall, grilled cheese sandwiches at the Airmen's Club and popcorn at the theater were the menu choices during those days.

Sorry, I digressed...

When I got to the theater I noticed a crowd of  guys surrounding 3 men dressed in khakis just hanging out outside the theater.  Being an avid NY Giants fan, naturally I recognized Sam Huff and Frank Gifford. But there wasn't a football fan anywhere in those days who did not know who Johnny Unitas was! I found out later that they were on a USO sponsored tour of various bases in South Vietnam. I ran back to my barracks, retrieved my camera and took the photos of them shown below.

Sam Huff with Frank Gifford (only his eyes are showing)

Frank Gifford and an unidentified aviator.

Johnny Unitas looking straight into my camera.

Johnny Unitas having a laugh with unidentified Airman. 

Sam Huff and Frank Gifford chatting with Airmen.

Frank Gifford provides his autograph.

Senator Ted Kennedy draws a crowd on the flight line.

Senator Kennedy speaking to an unidentified civilian.

Senator Kennedy's "ride" - Gen. Westmoreland's White Whale. 

Senator Kennedy being greeted by unidentified civilian and possibly a USAF officer (The Base Commander, perhaps?)

General Westmoreland and entourage preparing to depart Da Nang Air Base.

General Westmoreland with left wrist in cast.

General Westmoreland en-route to his C-123 "White Whale" aircraft.

General Westmoreland having a few final words before boarding. 

Jun 23rd, C-47 Skytrain, C-97 Stratofreighter, C-118 Liftmaster, C-121 Constellation, C-124 Globemaster II, C-130 Hercules, and C-133 Cargomaster

Today, I will be up-loading my remaining photos of the propeller driven cargo aircraft that the United States Air Force used in the early days of the Vietnam War. Less exotic and exciting, perhaps, than the jet fighters, they were, nevertheless, essential for logistical support. In specially armed gunship configurations, they also provided ground support.

Included in this batch will be the C-47 Skytrain, C-97 Stratofreighter, C-118 Liftmaster, C-121 Constellation, C-124 Globemaster II, C-130 Hercules, and the C-133 Cargomaster.

I posted photos of the C-123 Provider, earlier.

The C-47 Skytrain was first introduced in 1936! Initially called the "Skytrain", the venerable C-47 (Douglas DC-3) has also gone by several other aliases such as "Dakota", "Gooney Bird", "Spooky" and "Puff the Magic Dragon".  Regardless of their age, they have served many nations around the world. Some of them are still flying, today!

C-47 parked in front of the USAF hangar at Da Nang Air Base.

This South Vietnamese C-47's wings and tail provided welcome shade for its former passengers, awaiting ground transportation. 

Insignia of the Royal Lao Air Force.

Royal Lao Air Force C-47 receiving some engine work.

A C-47 at dusk.

A GE Minigun installation on an AC-47 gunship.

C-47 awaiting loading of its passengers and cargo.

Unlike my moldy slide, passengers stayed dry under this S. Vietnamese C-47's wing.

Pilot and co-pilot of a S. Vietnamese C-47 waiting for the monsoon rains to clear, before departure. 

A South Vietnamese Air Force C-47.

Different paint schemes on this C-47 line-up.

A South Vietnamese C-47 assigned to transport one of their Major Generals.

A Curtis C-46 Commando followed by a Douglas C-47 Skytrain. 

A C-47 and 2 HU-16s during monsoon season.

An AC-47 equipped with 2 GE Miniguns.

A C-47 landing. 

A C-47 gets some engine work under the lights. 

A C-97 being unloaded.

C-97 ready to be unloaded. 

Sunset over a C-97 and C-124.

A C-97 viewed from a flight-line guard tower.

Rear view of a C-97, with Hill 327 in the background.

A C-118 on final landing approach to Da Nang Air Base.

A C-118 from Norton AFB, California.

A C-118 takes off. Runway guard tower and Hill 327 are in background.

An antenna laden C-121.

Nose art on  a C-121. 

A commercial cargo Constellation, taxiing.

A Military Air Transport Service (MATS) C-124 Globemaster II.

Example of how cargo was loaded/unloaded on the C-124.

After January, 1966, MATS changed to MAC, as can be seen on this updated C-124. 

A C-124 and C-97 at sunset.

C-124 beginning its take-off roll.

A C-130 taking off.

A C-130 and runway lights at dusk.

Two C-130s on the flight line.

A C-130 tail with revetment area in the background.

Rear view of a C-130.

A C-130 parked on the flight line.

Unloading a C-130 surrounded by a C-47, F-101, C-135 and an F-4.

A C-130 in camouflage with Hill 327 in the background.

A C-130 preparing to land.

Camouflage paint scheme on a C-130

A C-130 just landed. 

A C-130 in hangar with all 4 engines removed.

C-130 tail silhouette. 

Propeller removed from a C-130.

A C-130 taking off.

A MAC C-133 being serviced on the tarmac.

A C-133 taxiing.

A C-133 taxiing.

A C-133 taxiing.

A C-133 taking off. 

(Updated today, Aug 14th, with 3 new photos of the ageless C-47 I just found that I had misfiled with some A-1 Skyraider photos. 

A USAF C-47 Skytrain, in camouflage.

USAF C-47 (AC-47) gunship at dawn. Hill 327 in background.

C-47 Skytrain silhouette.