Jun 6th, F-4 Phantom II

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.

USAF paint scheme.

Marines version equipped with Napalm bombs.

Navy version with empty bomb rack.

Peeling-off in preparation for landing.

After landing, drag chute deployed.

Take-off.

Taking-off. Extra fuel tanks, camera and Vulcan gun pods visible.

Parked on the tarmac.

Close-up of the infra-red sensor under this Phantom's nose. Note the photographer with his Nikon F!

Mission-ready. (Fungus damaged slide photo.)

F-4 tail detail and flight-line "tug".

Mission ready.

Heading out in the sun-set.

Taxiing.

Take-off.

Landing with drag-chute deployed.

Nose detail.

I am guessing that it's landing, as I don't detect any trailing heat waves.

USAF Phantoms parked in the revetments.

Air Force "bird" getting a little maintenance.

Sidewinder and a spare... because you never know!

Tail art.

More tail art.

Preparing to fire up.

Close-up of camera and Vulcan gun pods.

Another Marine Corps version with Napalm bombs.

Jun 4th, Vietnamese People

Today's post consists of some of the many photos I took of the Vietnamese people, young and old.

As I mentioned previously, after just a few months into my 1-year assignment, several incidents of violence in downtown Da Nang resulted in all U.S. Air Force personnel being restricted to the base. Consequently, my off-base photography came to an abrupt end.

I took all of the off-base photos during the last two months of 1965 and the early months of 1966, before the city of Da Nang was essentially declared off-limits.

I hope that you find these vintage photos of the Da Nang area 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.

Children and U.S. Servicemen playing on China Beach.

Students in their school uniforms.

Transporting Sugar Cane on the Han river.

ARVN/VNAF barracks.

Refugee children.

Waitress in the Airmen's Club. Menu: Beer, Soda, Grilled Cheese Sandwich (That's it - honest!)

Viet Cong being lead to a flight down-country.

One unhappy little boy!

Relaxing on the abutment. 

Han River scene.

Balloon girl.

Nice smiles.

Students.

Students conversing on the Han river bank.

Moving fishing boats on the channel.

Staying cool under the Banyan tree.

Taking care of sister.

Transportation to the construction site.

Portrait of a little girl.

Waitress in the Airmen's Club.

Boy discovers navel.

I guess it has always been there!

So, I guess I'll just duck down here for a few minutes.

Young boy along the trail to China Beach.

Paddling down the Han River.

Six happy children.

Totally spontaneous pose for my camera.

White-washing the building on a home-made bamboo ladder.

Walking his girl friend to school, sort of. 

Pretty smile.

Making shoes on a street in Danang.

Sisters in Darmstadt. Cars were a rarity, but bikes, trikes and mopeds prevailed everywhere

Woman in traditional Vietnamese dress.

Girl baby-sitting four young brothers.

"Meet me at the laundry."

"Let's go home, now."