Da Nang Air Base: VNAF

Monday, August 14, 2017

Aug 14th, 2017, Props and Rotors, the A-1 Skyraider

Hmm... After thinking that I had completed this project, I have just discovered that I omitted a fairly significant segment of my photo collection. No valid excuses. Just my bad, I guess! 😢

Back to the blogging-board!

So, this and the next few posts will consist of the propeller driven aircraft (prop-jobs) that weren't previously posted, as well as the various helicopters (choppers) that were either assigned to, or flew in and out of Da Nang Air Base in the 1965-66 period.

In instances where I found the history of a particular aircraft, I included the information in the caption. I am considering doing the same thing for the previous aircraft photos that I have put up.

Is this a good idea?

If you are interested in the history of a particular aircraft and have its serial number, I have included a link that can be quite helpful.

A-1 Skyraider with full load of fragmentation bombs.

Douglas A-1E Skyraider, Ex USN BuNo 133882 transferred to USAF. With 1st Air Commando Squadron 14th Air Commando Wing shot down by ground fire 5 mi W of Da Nang, South Vietnam Apr 8, 1966. Pilot bailed out and was rescued by USAF HH-43 helicopter.

A-1 Skyraiders.

A-1 Skyraider of the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF).

VNAF A-1 Skyraider.

VNAF A-1 Skyraiders in revetments.

VNAF A-1 Skyraider revetment area.

South Vietnamese Air Force A-1 Skyraiders on the flight line.

U.S. Navy A-1 Skyraider

VNAF A-1 Skyraider.

A-1 Skyraider with Hill 327 in background.

Douglas A-1G Skyraider Ex USN BuNo 132569 that was transferred to USAF, with the 602nd Air Commando Squadron, 56th Air Commando Wing. Shot down by AAA near Ban Loboy, Savannakhet Province, Laos Nov 11, 1967. Pilot bailed out and was recovered by HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Jun 15th, Off-base Scenery (mostly)

Today's posting consists of the photos I took off-base, before the Base Commander restricted all USAF personnel to the base. Unfortunately, this severely limited my off-base photo-ops.

A few of these photos might be duplicated in earlier posts. For example where there are people in the scene, I might have also included those photos in one of the people postings, not many though.

There are also a few photos where I can not recall their exact locations and/or I might have mis-identified a location. Please feel free to add any comments/suggestions that could help me to correct errors.

Stone carvings for sale.

Sailing down the Han River.

The Han river and Monkey Mountain.

Village life along seldom used rail tracks.

Village along the railroad tracks.

These could be the same tracks shown above, approaching the Han River.

Fishing on the Han River. Marble mountain in the background.

Marsh or old rice paddies along the Han River.

Clothing store in Da Nang.

Airing out the bedding. The symbol, above the building between the 2 tall Palm trees, indicates that it might be Buddhist.

A curious Water Buffalo.

Temple gate.

Close-up of Temple gate.

Obviously this photo was not taken off-base. But it provides a nice wide view of the flight line, USAF & VNAF, and Monkey Mountain to the East of the base.

Da Nang Cathedral.

Da Nang Cathedral grotto.

Da Nang Cathedral steeple.

Da Nang Cathedral altar.

I'm not sure about this one. It might be on China Beach, viewing northward towards Monkey Mountain. Looks like Navy/Marine buildings center-right, similar to those on Hill 327.

Thatched house along the road to China Beach.

A Han River scene.

Bridge across the Han, looking westward, Hill 327 on the left.

A Han River scene.

Various activities on the Han River, civil and military.

The French Consulate in Da Nang.

A pet monkey.

A variety shop in Da Nang.

Dead tree in Da Nang.

Rice paddies.

Algae.

ARVN pet monkey.

Monkey guarding owner's truck.

Cemetery in Da Nang.

Playing football on China Beach.

Playing football on China Beach. (Swim trunks not mandatory!)

Prepared to catch the pass. Looks like a great day for body-surfing!

The Da Nang USO. I never went in.

I can't remember where I took this photo in Da Nang.

The Bamboo Restaurant, Da Nang.

Not sure about this one. Possibly a military museum?

Fishing boats.

Fruit stand in Da Nang.

No idea what the sign says. I was just fascinated with its construction.

Han River bridge.

Fields along the Han River.

Typical view of China Beach in the mid-60s. Marble Mountain in the background.

Da Nang Palms.

Cactus grew well along the road to China Beach.

Thatched houses.

Children and teacher assembled outside their school.

A Citroen Ami. Cars were a rarity in Da Nang where bicycles and mopeds prevailed.

Fishing boats on China Beach.

Thatched buildings.

More Da Nang Palms.

A curious monkey, perhaps looking for a snack.

Sad monkey. I had no snacks with me.

Army dump truck on the way to China Beach.

Old rice paddies along road to China Beach.

Vietnamese man with his family outside their thatched house.

Wood and thatch homes on road to China Beach.

3-wheeled "truck" traversing path along the railroad.

Banyan tree in a Da Nang compound.

Aloe Vera plant growing along the road.

Fishing boat on the Han River.

Hardware shop in downtown Da Nang.

Palm trees in Da Nang.

Close-up of old tile roof on building in Da Nang.

Shops in downtown Da Nang.

Gate guard at an entrance to the USO in Da Nang.

Aloe Vera plant near "Tent City" on Da Nang Air Base.

Goat grazing by buildings near Da Nang.

Vietnamese and U.S. Navy boats on the Han River.

Docked U.S. Navy vessel, classified as a Refrigerated Covered Lighter. I heard stories over there about how dock workers would "accidentally" drop pallets of American goods into the water, the submerged contents later appearing on the black market.