Pilatus Porter

[Wazza]

I forget who wanted to know about the little Aussie plane with the long nose. But here it is


The Pilatus Porter PT6 Aircraft was an eight seater, high wing monoplane of all metal construction with a conventional (tail wheel) undercarriage. A 550-shaft horsepower Pratt and Whitney PT6 turbine engine fitted with a constant speed propeller unit with reverse pitch capability powered it.

The aircraft was fitted with a full instrument panel, radio compass and other aids, which permit limited operations by night and in bad weather. Special role fittings include two wing stations for external carriage of stores; an internal cargo hatch and automatic radio rebroadcast facilities. The rear cabin seats were readily removable for the carriage of cargo.

November 1969 - Vietnam.
Only six of the 19 Pilatus Porter's that the Australian Army owned were deployed to South Vietnam with 161 (Indep.) Recce Flt.
The aircraft that were sent to Vietnam were A14-680, -681, -686, -690, -692 and A14-701. The first three aircraft to be sent to Vietnam were A14-680, -681 and A14-686. They travelled to Vietnam aboard HMAS Sydney and they arrived at Vung Tau on 28 November 1969. Accompanying the aircraft on their journey were two new members of the Flight, Lt Damien Aird (Fixed Wing Pilot) and Cpl John Crawford (Engine Fitter).

The transfer of the first aircraft (A14-680) from HMAS Sydney to Nui Dat did not go without problems. The transfer involved lifting the Porter off the ship using a "special jig" and a US Army Chinook and delivering the Porter to the Flight at Nui Dat.

However, the rotor wash caused by the Chinooks main rotors down onto the tail-plane of the Porter was so great that the rear "tie down lifting bar", at the rear of the Porters tail-plane, tore through the skin section of the tail-plane and caused considerable damage to the aircraft.

Although there were obvious concerns of causing further damage to the Porter and possibly the Chinook the task was completed and the Porter was delivered to Nui Dat however, the damage caused to the Porter kept the aircraft grounded until the end of December. The other two aircraft were off loaded onto barges from the ship onto the wharfs at Vung Tau and then towed to the Vung Tau Airfield where they were reassembled, by members of 161 (Indep.) Recce Flt. The aircraft were subsequently flown forward to Nui Dat. Both aircraft had to have acceptance servicing and as soon as they were cleared for flight they began familiarisation flying in the local area.

Unfortunately disaster struck after only a few days when A14-686 was shot down and destroyed on 03 December. Barry Donald was the pilot of the aircraft and Alan Jellie (helicopter pilot) was his passenger. The aircraft had been flown through the day and was on the first night flying familiarisation flight, of a Porter, in Vietnam. As they were returning to Nui Dat, at approx 2200hr, they received ground fire as they flew over the Bhin Ba Rubber Plantation. The aircraft crash-landed at the edge of the rubber plantation after clipping some rubber trees, both pilots were killed. The aircraft was extensively damaged from the crash and a fire that had broken out in the aircraft.

A replacement aircraft was called forward from Australia and A14-690 was delivered aboard HMAS Melbourne at the end of December. A14-680 was sent home to Australia and replaced by A14-701 in May 70. A14-701 arrived at Nui Dat aboard a RAAF C130 Hercules. The reason for 680 being sent home, after only being in country for less than five months, is not known.
A14-692 arrived in country in January 1971 increasing the number of Porters in the Flight to four.



I was with the 856th Radio Research Detachment supporting the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, and our area of operations touched the 1st Australian Task Force Area of Operation and we chatted with the Aussie plane/pilot/operator as we passed information back and forth on a secure radio network.

The Porter was flown by pilots from 161 (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight. The operators were all provided by the 547th Signal Troop. Prior to the introduction of Porters into Vietnam, Cessna 180s were used for these missions.

I really liked the performance of the 547th and was dismayed these many years later to find out how little the Troop was appreciated with medals, unit citations, extra beer rations (Speaking of which, I feel they should have been rewarded with a lifetime supply of the stuff as that would be much more appreciated than mere medals.)

One day my unit got a distress message from the 547th to the effect that beer supplies were uncommonly low and would the Yanks be able to acquire a life saving re supply. Our Geniuses plotted and somehow were able to score a truckload of the life giving liquid.

Many members of our unit volunteered to participate in this ultimate mission of mercy and someone arranged to bring along a band too. We all went to Nui Dat and delivered the beer. While comments were made about the quality not being quite up to Aussie standards, I can safely assume that the Yankee beer was eventually consumed.

Ralph Reinhart

[Wazza]

Another shot

[39mto39g]

Thats one ugly mutha.
The Marines were flying around in a chopper that was ugly and slow.
Ron