Today's post is a continuation of the many aircraft photos I took while assigned to Da Nang Air Base during 1965-66. Perhaps one of the most versatile of the various jet-aircraft deployed to Vietnam was the F-4 Phantom II. It was fielded by the U.S. Navy, Marines and Air Force in various versions and configurations.
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| USAF paint scheme. |
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| Marines version equipped with Napalm bombs. |
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| Navy version with empty bomb rack. |
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| Peeling-off in preparation for landing. |
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| After landing, drag chute deployed. |
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| Take-off. |
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| Taking-off. Extra fuel tanks, camera and Vulcan gun pods visible. |
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| Parked on the tarmac. |
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| Close-up of the infra-red sensor under this Phantom's nose. Note the photographer with his Nikon F! |
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| Mission-ready. (Fungus damaged slide photo.) |
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| F-4 tail detail and flight-line "tug". |
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| Mission ready. |
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| Heading out in the sun-set. |
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| Taxiing. |
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| Take-off. |
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| Landing with drag-chute deployed. |
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| Nose detail. |
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| I am guessing that it's landing, as I don't detect any trailing heat waves. |
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| USAF Phantoms parked in the revetments. |
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| Air Force "bird" getting a little maintenance. |
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| Sidewinder and a spare... because you never know! |
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| Tail art. |
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| More tail art. |
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| Preparing to fire up. |
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| Close-up of camera and Vulcan gun pods. |
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| Another Marine Corps version with Napalm bombs. |
My father, Capt. Jim Becker, was the RIO and 1st Lt. John Pierce the pilot who flew the very plane you have in your "Preparing to Fire Up" photo. They were VMFA-542 "Tigers" and I have photos of them in Da Nang sitting on and in #7 0996 dated July 1965!
ReplyDeleteHello Robert,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to comment. Looks like it was a pretty late night for you!
Anyway, if you agree, I'd be more than happy to update my caption for that photo with your information.
In the early 90's I worked with a WWII vet at Camp Zama, Japan - Paul Becker. Probably not related, but he
was a former signal officer in the Army.
It's a small world.
Thanks again!
Take care,
R. D.