http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:02:54 -0700 PhotoPost Pro 6.02 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18358 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18358" target="_blank"><img title="86276279_hornet_3_1_.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/86276279_hornet_3_1_.jpg" alt="86276279_hornet_3_1_.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: amerkinsquid<br /><br />Description: Great shot of an FA-18 taking off of the USS Ronald Reagan amerkinsquid Sun, 01 Sep 2013 06:42:12 -0700 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16007 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16007" target="_blank"><img title="456bear10.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/456bear10.jpg" alt="456bear10.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: Shockey<br /><br />Description: Crossing the Pac to conus 1971 The Bears came to visit, down low. I took this from the flight deck U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. VF-213 Shockey Mon, 20 Nov 2006 11:54:44 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16006 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16006" target="_blank"><img title="456dawncatwatch.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/456dawncatwatch.jpg" alt="456dawncatwatch.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: Shockey<br /><br />Description: Gulf of Tonkin 1971 U.S.S. Kitty Hawk VF-213 Shockey Mon, 20 Nov 2006 11:48:44 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16005 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16005" target="_blank"><img title="456104departing.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/456104departing.jpg" alt="456104departing.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: Shockey<br /><br />Description: 1971 Gulf of Tonkin U.S.S. Kitty Hawk VF-213<br /><br />1 comment Shockey Sun, 19 Nov 2006 16:56:41 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10445 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10445" target="_blank"><img title="3377poppa9.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/3377poppa9.jpg" alt="3377poppa9.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: tdeane<br /><br />Description: My gramps flight froup, somewhere over Washington. tdeane Thu, 15 Jul 2004 06:25:38 -0700 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4460 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4460" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft13a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft13a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft13a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Planned in 1963 as the successor to the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk for the US Navy and Marines, the A-7 Corsair II proved so effective that it was also chosen by the USAF to replace the F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief. The prototype flew for the first time on September 27, 1965, and production commenced on 199 of the A-7A version. This was followed by the more powerful A-7B (196 machines, first flight February 6, 1968). The variant designed for the USAF was the A-7D, which took off on April 5 furnished with a different kind of engine and modified both with regard to armament and electronics. Deliveries of the 459 models of the A-7D which had been ordered took place from September 1970 to December 1976. In 1969 a new version was produced for the US Navy, the A-7E, which became the principal type built (after the first 67 machines, known as A-7C), with 529 planes up to March 1981. Among minor variants were the TA-7C and the A-7K, two-seater trainers for possible operational use by the US Navy and the US Air National Guard; and the A-7H and A-7P for Greece and Portugal. It was much used in Vietnam; the first A-7As received their baptism of fire on December 4, 1967. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4461 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4461" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft13b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft13b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft13b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Planned in 1963 as the successor to the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk for the US Navy and Marines, the A-7 Corsair II proved so effective that it was also chosen by the USAF to replace the F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief. The prototype flew for the first time on September 27, 1965, and production commenced on 199 of the A-7A version. This was followed by the more powerful A-7B (196 machines, first flight February 6, 1968). The variant designed for the USAF was the A-7D, which took off on April 5 furnished with a different kind of engine and modified both with regard to armament and electronics. Deliveries of the 459 models of the A-7D which had been ordered took place from September 1970 to December 1976. In 1969 a new version was produced for the US Navy, the A-7E, which became the principal type built (after the first 67 machines, known as A-7C), with 529 planes up to March 1981. Among minor variants were the TA-7C and the A-7K, two-seater trainers for possible operational use by the US Navy and the US Air National Guard; and the A-7H and A-7P for Greece and Portugal. It was much used in Vietnam; the first A-7As received their baptism of fire on December 4, 1967. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4462 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4462" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft13c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft13c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft13c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Planned in 1963 as the successor to the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk for the US Navy and Marines, the A-7 Corsair II proved so effective that it was also chosen by the USAF to replace the F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief. The prototype flew for the first time on September 27, 1965, and production commenced on 199 of the A-7A version. This was followed by the more powerful A-7B (196 machines, first flight February 6, 1968). The variant designed for the USAF was the A-7D, which took off on April 5 furnished with a different kind of engine and modified both with regard to armament and electronics. Deliveries of the 459 models of the A-7D which had been ordered took place from September 1970 to December 1976. In 1969 a new version was produced for the US Navy, the A-7E, which became the principal type built (after the first 67 machines, known as A-7C), with 529 planes up to March 1981. Among minor variants were the TA-7C and the A-7K, two-seater trainers for possible operational use by the US Navy and the US Air National Guard; and the A-7H and A-7P for Greece and Portugal. It was much used in Vietnam; the first A-7As received their baptism of fire on December 4, 1967.<br /><br />1 comment David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4463 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4463" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft12a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft12a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft12a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The only real COIN (Counter Insurgency) plane to take part in the Southeast Asian war was the Rockwell OV-10A Bronco. The first of these were sent with the Marines to the operation zone as soon as they came off the assembly line. Subsequently used both by the US Navy and the USAF, this tactical reconnaissance plane proved extremely useful and-well suited to the requirements of the FAC (Forward Air Control). Very often, confident of its own fire power, the Bronco would strike a target without even waiting for other warplanes to arrive. It went into action in 1968, barely two years after the first flight of the prototype, but did not have the chance to be used in such numbers as other planes which were admittedly less suited for the difficult and dangerous job of being the advance 'eye' of the DASC (Direct Air Support Center). David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4464 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4464" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft12b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft12b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft12b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The only real COIN (Counter Insurgency) plane to take part in the Southeast Asian war was the Rockwell OV-10A Bronco. The first of these were sent with the Marines to the operation zone as soon as they came off the assembly line. Subsequently used both by the US Navy and the USAF, this tactical reconnaissance plane proved extremely useful and-well suited to the requirements of the FAC (Forward Air Control). Very often, confident of its own fire power, the Bronco would strike a target without even waiting for other warplanes to arrive. It went into action in 1968, barely two years after the first flight of the prototype, but did not have the chance to be used in such numbers as other planes which were admittedly less suited for the difficult and dangerous job of being the advance 'eye' of the DASC (Direct Air Support Center). David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4465 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4465" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft12c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft12c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft12c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The only real COIN (Counter Insurgency) plane to take part in the Southeast Asian war was the Rockwell OV-10A Bronco. The first of these were sent with the Marines to the operation zone as soon as they came off the assembly line. Subsequently used both by the US Navy and the USAF, this tactical reconnaissance plane proved extremely useful and-well suited to the requirements of the FAC (Forward Air Control). Very often, confident of its own fire power, the Bronco would strike a target without even waiting for other warplanes to arrive. It went into action in 1968, barely two years after the first flight of the prototype, but did not have the chance to be used in such numbers as other planes which were admittedly less suited for the difficult and dangerous job of being the advance 'eye' of the DASC (Direct Air Support Center).<br /><br />2 comments David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4466 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4466" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft4a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft4a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft4a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Few aircraft were as important for the efficient conduct of war operations in Vietnam as the small, unarmed Cessna O-1B, previously known as the L-19. Spearhead of the FAC (Forward Air Control), it formed part of the US Army organization until 1965, when all fixed-wing observation aircraft were turned over to the USAF. Flying at low level and reduced speed, their duty was to discover objectives, for the most part concealed in the jungle, such as groups of guerillas, convoys traveling along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, or enemy units lying in ambush for unsuspecting government troops. Having spotted the enemy, they would immediately radio the DASC (Direct Air Support Center) which, as a rule, would be able to get attack aircraft to the spot within half an hour. The latter were again guided by the Bird Dog pilots who, in addition to pinpointing the objective with smoke or magnesium flares, would check the effectiveness of the strikes, if necessary correcting the aim. However, the O-1s were an easy target for the enemy, who could often hit them with ordinary rifle fire, without recourse to heavy anti-aircraft fire. Many Bird Dog pilots lost their lives while carrying out their duty; they were usually officers with years of experience, veterans of many battles. Among the finest fighters, they succeeded in converting their little unarmed planes into formidable offensive weapons. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4467 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4467" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft4b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft4b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft4b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Few aircraft were as important for the efficient conduct of war operations in Vietnam as the small, unarmed Cessna O-1B, previously known as the L-19. Spearhead of the FAC (Forward Air Control), it formed part of the US Army organization until 1965, when all fixed-wing observation aircraft were turned over to the USAF. Flying at low level and reduced speed, their duty was to discover objectives, for the most part concealed in the jungle, such as groups of guerillas, convoys traveling along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, or enemy units lying in ambush for unsuspecting government troops. Having spotted the enemy, they would immediately radio the DASC (Direct Air Support Center) which, as a rule, would be able to get attack aircraft to the spot within half an hour. The latter were again guided by the Bird Dog pilots who, in addition to pinpointing the objective with smoke or magnesium flares, would check the effectiveness of the strikes, if necessary correcting the aim. However, the O-1s were an easy target for the enemy, who could often hit them with ordinary rifle fire, without recourse to heavy anti-aircraft fire. Many Bird Dog pilots lost their lives while carrying out their duty; they were usually officers with years of experience, veterans of many battles. Among the finest fighters, they succeeded in converting their little unarmed planes into formidable offensive weapons. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4468 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4468" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft4c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft4c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft4c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Few aircraft were as important for the efficient conduct of war operations in Vietnam as the small, unarmed Cessna O-1B, previously known as the L-19. Spearhead of the FAC (Forward Air Control), it formed part of the US Army organization until 1965, when all fixed-wing observation aircraft were turned over to the USAF. Flying at low level and reduced speed, their duty was to discover objectives, for the most part concealed in the jungle, such as groups of guerillas, convoys traveling along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, or enemy units lying in ambush for unsuspecting government troops. Having spotted the enemy, they would immediately radio the DASC (Direct Air Support Center) which, as a rule, would be able to get attack aircraft to the spot within half an hour. The latter were again guided by the Bird Dog pilots who, in addition to pinpointing the objective with smoke or magnesium flares, would check the effectiveness of the strikes, if necessary correcting the aim. However, the O-1s were an easy target for the enemy, who could often hit them with ordinary rifle fire, without recourse to heavy anti-aircraft fire. Many Bird Dog pilots lost their lives while carrying out their duty; they were usually officers with years of experience, veterans of many battles. Among the finest fighters, they succeeded in converting their little unarmed planes into formidable offensive weapons. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4469 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4469" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft6a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft6a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft6a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The F-105 Thunderchief, familiarly called 'Thud' by its pilots, received its baptism of fire in Vietnam and is indissolubly associated with that war, even though it was never used for the tactical atomic bombing for which it had been designed. In action in Vietnam from 1964 to 1970 was the single-seat F-105D, modified so as to carry bombs of the traditional type both in the hold and in under-wing pylons, and also the two-seat F-105G, Wild Weasel, widely used for locating the radar emissions of SAM batteries, which they would either neutralize with their own electronic equipment, making enemy tracking impossible, or by means of direct bombing. All USAF squadrons furnished with the F-105 served in rotation in Southeast Asia, carrying out more than 20,000 offensive missions, and losing 330 planes, over a third of the total Thunderchief production. Employed without respite in strikes, mainly against North Vietnamese territory, the Thunderchiefs paid a heavy toll at the hands of anti-aircraft batteries, SAM missiles and enemy fighters, for they were easy prey unescorted and with a full bomb-load. It was rare for an F-105 pilot to complete his rota of 100 missions without being shot down at least once. On October 5, 1965, for example, in the attack on the Lang Met bridge, out of 24 F-105Ds of the 562nd Squadron of the 23rd TFW, only eight found their way back to their departure base in Thailand. Yet with their bombs they destroyed the objective. Free of their bombs, on the other hand, the F-105s were no sitting ducks for enemy fighters; from 1966 to 1967 they shot down 26 MiG-17s and one MiG-21 in air duels, a tally second only to that of the Phantom F-4s. The first F-105Ds arrived at Korat, in Thailand, in August 1964 with the 36th Squadron of the 7441st TFW, followed by those of the 18th, 355th and 388th TFW. To assess the importance of the Thunderchiefs as a strike force during the early part of the war, it is enough to point out that during 1965 three-quarters of all attack missions against North Vietnam were carried out by this fighter-bomber, sometimes guided to its target by the Douglas EB-66 and subsequently escorted by Phantoms when the latter were thrown into action. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4470 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4470" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft6b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft6b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft6b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The F-105 Thunderchief, familiarly called 'Thud' by its pilots, received its baptism of fire in Vietnam and is indissolubly associated with that war, even though it was never used for the tactical atomic bombing for which it had been designed. In action in Vietnam from 1964 to 1970 was the single-seat F-105D, modified so as to carry bombs of the traditional type both in the hold and in under-wing pylons, and also the two-seat F-105G, Wild Weasel, widely used for locating the radar emissions of SAM batteries, which they would either neutralize with their own electronic equipment, making enemy tracking impossible, or by means of direct bombing. All USAF squadrons furnished with the F-105 served in rotation in Southeast Asia, carrying out more than 20,000 offensive missions, and losing 330 planes, over a third of the total Thunderchief production. Employed without respite in strikes, mainly against North Vietnamese territory, the Thunderchiefs paid a heavy toll at the hands of anti-aircraft batteries, SAM missiles and enemy fighters, for they were easy prey unescorted and with a full bomb-load. It was rare for an F-105 pilot to complete his rota of 100 missions without being shot down at least once. On October 5, 1965, for example, in the attack on the Lang Met bridge, out of 24 F-105Ds of the 562nd Squadron of the 23rd TFW, only eight found their way back to their departure base in Thailand. Yet with their bombs they destroyed the objective. Free of their bombs, on the other hand, the F-105s were no sitting ducks for enemy fighters; from 1966 to 1967 they shot down 26 MiG-17s and one MiG-21 in air duels, a tally second only to that of the Phantom F-4s. The first F-105Ds arrived at Korat, in Thailand, in August 1964 with the 36th Squadron of the 7441st TFW, followed by those of the 18th, 355th and 388th TFW. To assess the importance of the Thunderchiefs as a strike force during the early part of the war, it is enough to point out that during 1965 three-quarters of all attack missions against North Vietnam were carried out by this fighter-bomber, sometimes guided to its target by the Douglas EB-66 and subsequently escorted by Phantoms when the latter were thrown into action. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4471 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4471" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft6c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft6c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft6c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The F-105 Thunderchief, familiarly called 'Thud' by its pilots, received its baptism of fire in Vietnam and is indissolubly associated with that war, even though it was never used for the tactical atomic bombing for which it had been designed. In action in Vietnam from 1964 to 1970 was the single-seat F-105D, modified so as to carry bombs of the traditional type both in the hold and in under-wing pylons, and also the two-seat F-105G, Wild Weasel, widely used for locating the radar emissions of SAM batteries, which they would either neutralize with their own electronic equipment, making enemy tracking impossible, or by means of direct bombing. All USAF squadrons furnished with the F-105 served in rotation in Southeast Asia, carrying out more than 20,000 offensive missions, and losing 330 planes, over a third of the total Thunderchief production. Employed without respite in strikes, mainly against North Vietnamese territory, the Thunderchiefs paid a heavy toll at the hands of anti-aircraft batteries, SAM missiles and enemy fighters, for they were easy prey unescorted and with a full bomb-load. It was rare for an F-105 pilot to complete his rota of 100 missions without being shot down at least once. On October 5, 1965, for example, in the attack on the Lang Met bridge, out of 24 F-105Ds of the 562nd Squadron of the 23rd TFW, only eight found their way back to their departure base in Thailand. Yet with their bombs they destroyed the objective. Free of their bombs, on the other hand, the F-105s were no sitting ducks for enemy fighters; from 1966 to 1967 they shot down 26 MiG-17s and one MiG-21 in air duels, a tally second only to that of the Phantom F-4s. The first F-105Ds arrived at Korat, in Thailand, in August 1964 with the 36th Squadron of the 7441st TFW, followed by those of the 18th, 355th and 388th TFW. To assess the importance of the Thunderchiefs as a strike force during the early part of the war, it is enough to point out that during 1965 three-quarters of all attack missions against North Vietnam were carried out by this fighter-bomber, sometimes guided to its target by the Douglas EB-66 and subsequently escorted by Phantoms when the latter were thrown into action. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4472 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4472" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft7a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft7a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft7a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Unquestionably the leading role in the air war in Vietnam was played by the McDonnell F-4 Phantom, which was used by the US Navy and the US Marine Corps in the B and J versions, and by the USAF in different versions. The earliest arrivals in the Southeast Asia theater of operations were the F-4Bs of the VMFA-531, on April 11, 1965. They were followed by those of many other Marine squadrons, based on land, and by squadrons of the US Navy operating from aircraft carriers. It would be unfair to single out the exploits of any particular unit because such a list would fill the pages of a sizeable book and because all distinguished themselves both in the attack/bombing role and in their demonstration of aerial supremacy. During direct encounters with the enemy, F-4Bs and F-4Js shot down 55 MiGs, of which eighteen were MiG-21s, two MiG-19s and the rest MiG-17s. Even so, it is fitting to mention the name of the US Navy Commander Randall H. 'Duke' Cunningham, and of his radarman, Lieutenant William P. 'Willie' Driscoll, with one MiG-21 and four MiG-17s to their credit, and to point out that the squadron boasting the biggest number of enemy planes downed was the VF-96, with eight certain victims and two probables. From the moment they went into action until the last day of the war, the Navy and Marine Phantoms never let up, gaining a reputation that they were later to emulate in other parts of the world. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4473 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4473" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft7b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft7b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft7b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Unquestionably the leading role in the air war in Vietnam was played by the McDonnell F-4 Phantom, which was used by the US Navy and the US Marine Corps in the B and J versions, and by the USAF in different versions. The earliest arrivals in the Southeast Asia theater of operations were the F-4Bs of the VMFA-531, on April 11, 1965. They were followed by those of many other Marine squadrons, based on land, and by squadrons of the US Navy operating from aircraft carriers. It would be unfair to single out the exploits of any particular unit because such a list would fill the pages of a sizeable book and because all distinguished themselves both in the attack/bombing role and in their demonstration of aerial supremacy. During direct encounters with the enemy, F-4Bs and F-4Js shot down 55 MiGs, of which eighteen were MiG-21s, two MiG-19s and the rest MiG-17s. Even so, it is fitting to mention the name of the US Navy Commander Randall H. 'Duke' Cunningham, and of his radarman, Lieutenant William P. 'Willie' Driscoll, with one MiG-21 and four MiG-17s to their credit, and to point out that the squadron boasting the biggest number of enemy planes downed was the VF-96, with eight certain victims and two probables. From the moment they went into action until the last day of the war, the Navy and Marine Phantoms never let up, gaining a reputation that they were later to emulate in other parts of the world. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4474 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4474" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft7c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft7c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft7c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Unquestionably the leading role in the air war in Vietnam was played by the McDonnell F-4 Phantom, which was used by the US Navy and the US Marine Corps in the B and J versions, and by the USAF in different versions. The earliest arrivals in the Southeast Asia theater of operations were the F-4Bs of the VMFA-531, on April 11, 1965. They were followed by those of many other Marine squadrons, based on land, and by squadrons of the US Navy operating from aircraft carriers. It would be unfair to single out the exploits of any particular unit because such a list would fill the pages of a sizeable book and because all distinguished themselves both in the attack/bombing role and in their demonstration of aerial supremacy. During direct encounters with the enemy, F-4Bs and F-4Js shot down 55 MiGs, of which eighteen were MiG-21s, two MiG-19s and the rest MiG-17s. Even so, it is fitting to mention the name of the US Navy Commander Randall H. 'Duke' Cunningham, and of his radarman, Lieutenant William P. 'Willie' Driscoll, with one MiG-21 and four MiG-17s to their credit, and to point out that the squadron boasting the biggest number of enemy planes downed was the VF-96, with eight certain victims and two probables. From the moment they went into action until the last day of the war, the Navy and Marine Phantoms never let up, gaining a reputation that they were later to emulate in other parts of the world. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4475 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4475" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft8a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft8a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft8a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first F-4C Phantoms of the USAF arrived in Vietnam at the same time as those of the Marines, in April 1965, with the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron, followed by those of the 12th TFW, in November, and of the 8th TFW, which was stationed at the Ubon base in Thailand in December of the same year. The Phantoms were detailed to play a defensive fighter role, escorting the F-105s weighted down with their bomb-loads, but when the ranks of the latter began to thin out, the Phantoms also took on attacking roles, achieving excellent results with their precision bombing. Although many units covered themselves with glory in eight years of war, it was the 8th TFW, among the first to reach Vietnam, which was most highly distinguished in battle. On January 2, 1967, F-4Cs of this Wing played a key role in the biggest aerial encounter of the war, shooting down seven MiG-21s without loss; and the 555th TFS (which with the 432nd and 433rd formed the 8th TFW) achieved more victories than any other USAF squadron, with a tally of 39 MiGs. In such dogfights the radar-controlled Sparrow air-to-air missiles and heat-sensitive Sidewinders proved invaluable, but the lack of a traditional cannon, notably for strike missions, soon became evident. It was for this reason that the F-4E version, sent into action toward the end of the war, was equipped with a rotary 20mm cannon, soon proving its worth not only in hitting the enemy on the ground but also in shooting down six enemy jets. By the end of the war the F-4s of the USAF boasted a record of 82 victories in air duels with MiGs, the success ratio in favor of the Phantom pilots being more than two to one. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4476 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4476" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft8b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft8b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft8b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first F-4C Phantoms of the USAF arrived in Vietnam at the same time as those of the Marines, in April 1965, with the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron, followed by those of the 12th TFW, in November, and of the 8th TFW, which was stationed at the Ubon base in Thailand in December of the same year. The Phantoms were detailed to play a defensive fighter role, escorting the F-105s weighted down with their bomb-loads, but when the ranks of the latter began to thin out, the Phantoms also took on attacking roles, achieving excellent results with their precision bombing. Although many units covered themselves with glory in eight years of war, it was the 8th TFW, among the first to reach Vietnam, which was most highly distinguished in battle. On January 2, 1967, F-4Cs of this Wing played a key role in the biggest aerial encounter of the war, shooting down seven MiG-21s without loss; and the 555th TFS (which with the 432nd and 433rd formed the 8th TFW) achieved more victories than any other USAF squadron, with a tally of 39 MiGs. In such dogfights the radar-controlled Sparrow air-to-air missiles and heat-sensitive Sidewinders proved invaluable, but the lack of a traditional cannon, notably for strike missions, soon became evident. It was for this reason that the F-4E version, sent into action toward the end of the war, was equipped with a rotary 20mm cannon, soon proving its worth not only in hitting the enemy on the ground but also in shooting down six enemy jets. By the end of the war the F-4s of the USAF boasted a record of 82 victories in air duels with MiGs, the success ratio in favor of the Phantom pilots being more than two to one. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4477 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4477" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft8c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft8c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft8c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first F-4C Phantoms of the USAF arrived in Vietnam at the same time as those of the Marines, in April 1965, with the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron, followed by those of the 12th TFW, in November, and of the 8th TFW, which was stationed at the Ubon base in Thailand in December of the same year. The Phantoms were detailed to play a defensive fighter role, escorting the F-105s weighted down with their bomb-loads, but when the ranks of the latter began to thin out, the Phantoms also took on attacking roles, achieving excellent results with their precision bombing. Although many units covered themselves with glory in eight years of war, it was the 8th TFW, among the first to reach Vietnam, which was most highly distinguished in battle. On January 2, 1967, F-4Cs of this Wing played a key role in the biggest aerial encounter of the war, shooting down seven MiG-21s without loss; and the 555th TFS (which with the 432nd and 433rd formed the 8th TFW) achieved more victories than any other USAF squadron, with a tally of 39 MiGs. In such dogfights the radar-controlled Sparrow air-to-air missiles and heat-sensitive Sidewinders proved invaluable, but the lack of a traditional cannon, notably for strike missions, soon became evident. It was for this reason that the F-4E version, sent into action toward the end of the war, was equipped with a rotary 20mm cannon, soon proving its worth not only in hitting the enemy on the ground but also in shooting down six enemy jets. By the end of the war the F-4s of the USAF boasted a record of 82 victories in air duels with MiGs, the success ratio in favor of the Phantom pilots being more than two to one. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4478 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4478" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft9a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft9a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft9a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Ideal successor to the marvelous Skyraider, the Douglas A-4, a daytime fighter-bomber, was the favorite plane of land-based Marine units and was also widely used by US Navy squadrons, particularly after 1968. Some idea of the Skyhawk's capabilities can be judged by the fact that a single Marine squadron, the VMA-311, carried out a record number of 47,663 sorties between June 1965 and May 1971. The US Navy was so convinced of the aircraft's adaptability to this type of warfare that in 1966, after the initial experiences on the battlefield, it gave the order for production to be resumed so as to take delivery of a further 146 examples of the A-4F. Of all the planes used by the US Navy and US Marine Corps to carry out strike missions in Vietnam, the Skyhawks alone were responsible for over 50 percent; and they suffered the highest battle casualties, losing 196 machines, mainly because they were most often exposed to anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4479 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4479" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft9b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft9b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft9b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Ideal successor to the marvelous Skyraider, the Douglas A-4, a daytime fighter-bomber, was the favorite plane of land-based Marine units and was also widely used by US Navy squadrons, particularly after 1968. Some idea of the Skyhawk's capabilities can be judged by the fact that a single Marine squadron, the VMA-311, carried out a record number of 47,663 sorties between June 1965 and May 1971. The US Navy was so convinced of the aircraft's adaptability to this type of warfare that in 1966, after the initial experiences on the battlefield, it gave the order for production to be resumed so as to take delivery of a further 146 examples of the A-4F. Of all the planes used by the US Navy and US Marine Corps to carry out strike missions in Vietnam, the Skyhawks alone were responsible for over 50 percent; and they suffered the highest battle casualties, losing 196 machines, mainly because they were most often exposed to anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4480 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4480" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft9c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft9c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft9c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Ideal successor to the marvelous Skyraider, the Douglas A-4, a daytime fighter-bomber, was the favorite plane of land-based Marine units and was also widely used by US Navy squadrons, particularly after 1968. Some idea of the Skyhawk's capabilities can be judged by the fact that a single Marine squadron, the VMA-311, carried out a record number of 47,663 sorties between June 1965 and May 1971. The US Navy was so convinced of the aircraft's adaptability to this type of warfare that in 1966, after the initial experiences on the battlefield, it gave the order for production to be resumed so as to take delivery of a further 146 examples of the A-4F. Of all the planes used by the US Navy and US Marine Corps to carry out strike missions in Vietnam, the Skyhawks alone were responsible for over 50 percent; and they suffered the highest battle casualties, losing 196 machines, mainly because they were most often exposed to anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4481 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4481" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft11a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft11a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft11a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first F-111As, hot off the assembly lines, were sent to Vietnam in March 1968 for the Combat Lancer operation. Six tactical bombers of the 428th TFS had the chance to prove their worth in the battle zone, but the experiment was disastrous: three of the six were destroyed during unescorted missions at various times. Initially it was assumed they had been shot down by the enemy, but it later became clear that they had crashed because of structural faults. The detachment, having carried out 55 missions, was recalled to the US, where criticism of this already controversial aircraft reached a new peak. Yet the F-111A did eventually prove itself, again in Vietnam. On September 27, 1972, 48 F-111As of the 429th and 430th TFS of the 474th TFW arrived in Southeast Asia; they immediately went into action to help check the accelerating advance of the North Vietnamese. In five months, that is up to the end of the hostilities, they carried out over 4,000 sorties dropping about 74,000 tons of bombs with high results, and the loss of only six machines. It is worth noting that 3,980 of these 4,000 missions were effected by means of TFR (Terrain Following Radar), a radar system capable of guiding the plane at a height of only a few meters, encompassing the slightest unevenness of terrain, without intervention by the pilot, and flying beneath the net of the SAM missile radar systems. Such feats in Southeast Asia were crucial in establishing and later restoring the reputation for quality which this variable-sweep wing fighter-bomber from General Dynamics was intended to possess from the start. In action once more in April 1986, attacking targets in Tripoli and Benghazi, Libya, the F-111s confirmed their right to be considered the spearhead of the USAF tactical bombing operations. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4482 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4482" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft11b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft11b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft11b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first F-111As, hot off the assembly lines, were sent to Vietnam in March 1968 for the Combat Lancer operation. Six tactical bombers of the 428th TFS had the chance to prove their worth in the battle zone, but the experiment was disastrous: three of the six were destroyed during unescorted missions at various times. Initially it was assumed they had been shot down by the enemy, but it later became clear that they had crashed because of structural faults. The detachment, having carried out 55 missions, was recalled to the US, where criticism of this already controversial aircraft reached a new peak. Yet the F-111A did eventually prove itself, again in Vietnam. On September 27, 1972, 48 F-111As of the 429th and 430th TFS of the 474th TFW arrived in Southeast Asia; they immediately went into action to help check the accelerating advance of the North Vietnamese. In five months, that is up to the end of the hostilities, they carried out over 4,000 sorties dropping about 74,000 tons of bombs with high results, and the loss of only six machines. It is worth noting that 3,980 of these 4,000 missions were effected by means of TFR (Terrain Following Radar), a radar system capable of guiding the plane at a height of only a few meters, encompassing the slightest unevenness of terrain, without intervention by the pilot, and flying beneath the net of the SAM missile radar systems. Such feats in Southeast Asia were crucial in establishing and later restoring the reputation for quality which this variable-sweep wing fighter-bomber from General Dynamics was intended to possess from the start. In action once more in April 1986, attacking targets in Tripoli and Benghazi, Libya, the F-111s confirmed their right to be considered the spearhead of the USAF tactical bombing operations. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4483 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4483" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft11c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft11c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft11c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first F-111As, hot off the assembly lines, were sent to Vietnam in March 1968 for the Combat Lancer operation. Six tactical bombers of the 428th TFS had the chance to prove their worth in the battle zone, but the experiment was disastrous: three of the six were destroyed during unescorted missions at various times. Initially it was assumed they had been shot down by the enemy, but it later became clear that they had crashed because of structural faults. The detachment, having carried out 55 missions, was recalled to the US, where criticism of this already controversial aircraft reached a new peak. Yet the F-111A did eventually prove itself, again in Vietnam. On September 27, 1972, 48 F-111As of the 429th and 430th TFS of the 474th TFW arrived in Southeast Asia; they immediately went into action to help check the accelerating advance of the North Vietnamese. In five months, that is up to the end of the hostilities, they carried out over 4,000 sorties dropping about 74,000 tons of bombs with high results, and the loss of only six machines. It is worth noting that 3,980 of these 4,000 missions were effected by means of TFR (Terrain Following Radar), a radar system capable of guiding the plane at a height of only a few meters, encompassing the slightest unevenness of terrain, without intervention by the pilot, and flying beneath the net of the SAM missile radar systems. Such feats in Southeast Asia were crucial in establishing and later restoring the reputation for quality which this variable-sweep wing fighter-bomber from General Dynamics was intended to possess from the start. In action once more in April 1986, attacking targets in Tripoli and Benghazi, Libya, the F-111s confirmed their right to be considered the spearhead of the USAF tactical bombing operations. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4484 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4484" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft15e.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft15e.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft15e.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: In August 1964 the USAF took its first delivery of F-5As and immediately decided to send a few machines to the combat zone in order to test their capabilities. The so-called 'Skoshi Tiger' program was organized in October 1965, coinciding with the arrival of 12 F-5As, partially modified for war purposes and furnished with 'proboscis' equipment for refueling in flight. The fighter-bombers operated at first with the 4503rd TFW, and in the course of 2,500 hours of tactical support and reconnaissance missions gained experience that proved extremely valuable for launching the next, more powerful F-5E version, which took the name Tiger II in recognition of the aircraft's contribution to the Skoshi Tiger operation. The 12 F-5As of the 4503rd TFW, together with six new machines, were handed over to the 10th Fighter Command Squadron, attached to the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa, and in 1967 the USAF delivered them to the VNAF. The F-5s were the first and only jet aircraft belonging to the newly formed South Vietnamese Air Force, which later received a number of F-5Es, used in action until the final collapse. Many of these F-5Es were captured by the North Vietnamese in perfect working order. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4485 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4485" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft15a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft15a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft15a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: In August 1964 the USAF took its first delivery of F-5As and immediately decided to send a few machines to the combat zone in order to test their capabilities. The so-called 'Skoshi Tiger' program was organized in October 1965, coinciding with the arrival of 12 F-5As, partially modified for war purposes and furnished with 'proboscis' equipment for refueling in flight. The fighter-bombers operated at first with the 4503rd TFW, and in the course of 2,500 hours of tactical support and reconnaissance missions gained experience that proved extremely valuable for launching the next, more powerful F-5E version, which took the name Tiger II in recognition of the aircraft's contribution to the Skoshi Tiger operation. The 12 F-5As of the 4503rd TFW, together with six new machines, were handed over to the 10th Fighter Command Squadron, attached to the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa, and in 1967 the USAF delivered them to the VNAF. The F-5s were the first and only jet aircraft belonging to the newly formed South Vietnamese Air Force, which later received a number of F-5Es, used in action until the final collapse. Many of these F-5Es were captured by the North Vietnamese in perfect working order. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4486 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4486" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft15b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft15b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft15b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: In August 1964 the USAF took its first delivery of F-5As and immediately decided to send a few machines to the combat zone in order to test their capabilities. The so-called 'Skoshi Tiger' program was organized in October 1965, coinciding with the arrival of 12 F-5As, partially modified for war purposes and furnished with 'proboscis' equipment for refueling in flight. The fighter-bombers operated at first with the 4503rd TFW, and in the course of 2,500 hours of tactical support and reconnaissance missions gained experience that proved extremely valuable for launching the next, more powerful F-5E version, which took the name Tiger II in recognition of the aircraft's contribution to the Skoshi Tiger operation. The 12 F-5As of the 4503rd TFW, together with six new machines, were handed over to the 10th Fighter Command Squadron, attached to the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa, and in 1967 the USAF delivered them to the VNAF. The F-5s were the first and only jet aircraft belonging to the newly formed South Vietnamese Air Force, which later received a number of F-5Es, used in action until the final collapse. Many of these F-5Es were captured by the North Vietnamese in perfect working order. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4487 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4487" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft15c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft15c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft15c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: In August 1964 the USAF took its first delivery of F-5As and immediately decided to send a few machines to the combat zone in order to test their capabilities. The so-called 'Skoshi Tiger' program was organized in October 1965, coinciding with the arrival of 12 F-5As, partially modified for war purposes and furnished with 'proboscis' equipment for refueling in flight. The fighter-bombers operated at first with the 4503rd TFW, and in the course of 2,500 hours of tactical support and reconnaissance missions gained experience that proved extremely valuable for launching the next, more powerful F-5E version, which took the name Tiger II in recognition of the aircraft's contribution to the Skoshi Tiger operation. The 12 F-5As of the 4503rd TFW, together with six new machines, were handed over to the 10th Fighter Command Squadron, attached to the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa, and in 1967 the USAF delivered them to the VNAF. The F-5s were the first and only jet aircraft belonging to the newly formed South Vietnamese Air Force, which later received a number of F-5Es, used in action until the final collapse. Many of these F-5Es were captured by the North Vietnamese in perfect working order. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4488 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4488" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft14e.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft14e.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft14e.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: One of the few aircraft designed from the start for tactical support, the A-37 arrived in Vietnam toward the end of the 1960s and was mainly used in support of helicopter operations. Capable of mounting a wide range of weapons, it proved highly adaptable to diverse operational needs. Particularly effective were its low-level napalm bomb attacks. A fairly limited number of machines, under the colors of both the USAF and the VNAF (the illustration shows the VNAF insignia), were used in action.<br /><br />1 comment David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4489 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4489" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft14a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft14a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft14a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: One of the few aircraft designed from the start for tactical support, the A-37 arrived in Vietnam toward the end of the 1960s and was mainly used in support of helicopter operations. Capable of mounting a wide range of weapons, it proved highly adaptable to diverse operational needs. Particularly effective were its low-level napalm bomb attacks. A fairly limited number of machines, under the colors of both the USAF and the VNAF (the illustration shows the VNAF insignia), were used in action. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4490 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4490" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft14b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft14b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft14b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: One of the few aircraft designed from the start for tactical support, the A-37 arrived in Vietnam toward the end of the 1960s and was mainly used in support of helicopter operations. Capable of mounting a wide range of weapons, it proved highly adaptable to diverse operational needs. Particularly effective were its low-level napalm bomb attacks. A fairly limited number of machines, under the colors of both the USAF and the VNAF (the illustration shows the VNAF insignia), were used in action. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4491 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4491" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft14c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft14c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft14c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: One of the few aircraft designed from the start for tactical support, the A-37 arrived in Vietnam toward the end of the 1960s and was mainly used in support of helicopter operations. Capable of mounting a wide range of weapons, it proved highly adaptable to diverse operational needs. Particularly effective were its low-level napalm bomb attacks. A fairly limited number of machines, under the colors of both the USAF and the VNAF (the illustration shows the VNAF insignia), were used in action. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:03 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4442 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4442" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft1b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft1b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft1b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first eight T-28 Trojans reached Vietnam in March 1958, being handed over by the USA to the small South Vietnamese Air Force, which had been formed officially on July 1, 1955 as successor to the collaborationist air force set up by the French during the last phase of their stay in Southeast Asia. The planes were used for training pilots, as were the other 30 delivered to the VNAF at the same time as the first USAF unit to arrive in Vietnam, namely the 4400th CCTS (Combat Crew Training Squadron), which from October 20, 1961 was given the job of teaching the new South Vietnamese recruits. The 4400th Squadron was equipped with eight T-28s, four SC-47s and four RB-26s. But in 1962 Viet Cong pressure within the country began to make itself felt strongly, with ambushes on government columns and surprise attacks on villages and garrisons, so much so that it was considered indispensable to have aerial support ready to give assistance to the ground forces. At that point the T-28, because of the absence of true COIN (Counter Insurgency) aircraft, was transformed into the T-28D, with wing attachments for offensive purposes, in the form of bombs and rockets. In March 1962 the VNAF received another 30 of these; all were employed in action, sometimes even with a crew consisting of a South Vietnamese trainer pilot and an American instructor. Nevertheless the old and trusty Trojans proved well up to the new task and constituted the backbone of the strike forces of the VNAF up to 1964, when they were replaced by the Douglas A-1H Skyraider. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4443 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4443" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft1a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft1a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft1a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first eight T-28 Trojans reached Vietnam in March 1958, being handed over by the USA to the small South Vietnamese Air Force, which had been formed officially on July 1, 1955 as successor to the collaborationist air force set up by the French during the last phase of their stay in Southeast Asia. The planes were used for training pilots, as were the other 30 delivered to the VNAF at the same time as the first USAF unit to arrive in Vietnam, namely the 4400th CCTS (Combat Crew Training Squadron), which from October 20, 1961 was given the job of teaching the new South Vietnamese recruits. The 4400th Squadron was equipped with eight T-28s, four SC-47s and four RB-26s. But in 1962 Viet Cong pressure within the country began to make itself felt strongly, with ambushes on government columns and surprise attacks on villages and garrisons, so much so that it was considered indispensable to have aerial support ready to give assistance to the ground forces. At that point the T-28, because of the absence of true COIN (Counter Insurgency) aircraft, was transformed into the T-28D, with wing attachments for offensive purposes, in the form of bombs and rockets. In March 1962 the VNAF received another 30 of these; all were employed in action, sometimes even with a crew consisting of a South Vietnamese trainer pilot and an American instructor. Nevertheless the old and trusty Trojans proved well up to the new task and constituted the backbone of the strike forces of the VNAF up to 1964, when they were replaced by the Douglas A-1H Skyraider. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4444 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4444" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft1c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft1c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft1c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The first eight T-28 Trojans reached Vietnam in March 1958, being handed over by the USA to the small South Vietnamese Air Force, which had been formed officially on July 1, 1955 as successor to the collaborationist air force set up by the French during the last phase of their stay in Southeast Asia. The planes were used for training pilots, as were the other 30 delivered to the VNAF at the same time as the first USAF unit to arrive in Vietnam, namely the 4400th CCTS (Combat Crew Training Squadron), which from October 20, 1961 was given the job of teaching the new South Vietnamese recruits. The 4400th Squadron was equipped with eight T-28s, four SC-47s and four RB-26s. But in 1962 Viet Cong pressure within the country began to make itself felt strongly, with ambushes on government columns and surprise attacks on villages and garrisons, so much so that it was considered indispensable to have aerial support ready to give assistance to the ground forces. At that point the T-28, because of the absence of true COIN (Counter Insurgency) aircraft, was transformed into the T-28D, with wing attachments for offensive purposes, in the form of bombs and rockets. In March 1962 the VNAF received another 30 of these; all were employed in action, sometimes even with a crew consisting of a South Vietnamese trainer pilot and an American instructor. Nevertheless the old and trusty Trojans proved well up to the new task and constituted the backbone of the strike forces of the VNAF up to 1964, when they were replaced by the Douglas A-1H Skyraider. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4445 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4445" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft2a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft2a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft2a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The Skyraider played a key role in the Vietnamese conflict, especially in the early years. Powerfully armed, slower than a jet aircraft, it came the closest to having the same characteristics as the anti-guerilla COIN, which at that time was desperately in demand. The A-1Hs were originally designated the single-seat AD-6s, and the A-1Es the two-seat AD-5s, last generation of the Skyraiders. At the time of the Gulf of Tonkin crisis, in August 1964, all aircraft carriers of the 77th Task Force had attack squadrons of Douglas A-1Hs, which were among the first sent into action against targets in North Vietnam. Two of them even achieved the incredible feat of shooting down two jet-engined MiG-17s. The US Navy Skyraiders remained at the front until April 1968, earning the nickname of 'Workhorse of the Fleet' and losing 48 machines, mainly from anti-aircraft fire. A number of aircraft of this type (25) surplus to Navy requirements, were also assigned to the VNAF, the first six in September 1960, the other ones in March 1961, as replacements for the obsolete North American T-28. But even the USAF sent a few twin-seater A-1Es to the front in summer 1963, when the 1st Air Command Squadron was formed. Useful for low-level attacks, and ideal as escorts for rescue missions, during the early years of the war they did everything and flew everywhere, being given the familiar name of 'Spad' from the famous World War One fighter. Skyraider, the last piston-engined fighter aircraft of the US Navy, carried out some 100,000 missions in the skies of Vietnam prior to its final disappearance . David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4446 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4446" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft2b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft2b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft2b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The Skyraider played a key role in the Vietnamese conflict, especially in the early years. Powerfully armed, slower than a jet aircraft, it came the closest to having the same characteristics as the anti-guerilla COIN, which at that time was desperately in demand. The A-1Hs were originally designated the single-seat AD-6s, and the A-1Es the two-seat AD-5s, last generation of the Skyraiders. At the time of the Gulf of Tonkin crisis, in August 1964, all aircraft carriers of the 77th Task Force had attack squadrons of Douglas A-1Hs, which were among the first sent into action against targets in North Vietnam. Two of them even achieved the incredible feat of shooting down two jet-engined MiG-17s. The US Navy Skyraiders remained at the front until April 1968, earning the nickname of 'Workhorse of the Fleet' and losing 48 machines, mainly from anti-aircraft fire. A number of aircraft of this type (25) surplus to Navy requirements, were also assigned to the VNAF, the first six in September 1960, the other ones in March 1961, as replacements for the obsolete North American T-28. But even the USAF sent a few twin-seater A-1Es to the front in summer 1963, when the 1st Air Command Squadron was formed. Useful for low-level attacks, and ideal as escorts for rescue missions, during the early years of the war they did everything and flew everywhere, being given the familiar name of 'Spad' from the famous World War One fighter. Skyraider, the last piston-engined fighter aircraft of the US Navy, carried out some 100,000 missions in the skies of Vietnam prior to its final disappearance . David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4447 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4447" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft2c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft2c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft2c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The Skyraider played a key role in the Vietnamese conflict, especially in the early years. Powerfully armed, slower than a jet aircraft, it came the closest to having the same characteristics as the anti-guerilla COIN, which at that time was desperately in demand. The A-1Hs were originally designated the single-seat AD-6s, and the A-1Es the two-seat AD-5s, last generation of the Skyraiders. At the time of the Gulf of Tonkin crisis, in August 1964, all aircraft carriers of the 77th Task Force had attack squadrons of Douglas A-1Hs, which were among the first sent into action against targets in North Vietnam. Two of them even achieved the incredible feat of shooting down two jet-engined MiG-17s. The US Navy Skyraiders remained at the front until April 1968, earning the nickname of 'Workhorse of the Fleet' and losing 48 machines, mainly from anti-aircraft fire. A number of aircraft of this type (25) surplus to Navy requirements, were also assigned to the VNAF, the first six in September 1960, the other ones in March 1961, as replacements for the obsolete North American T-28. But even the USAF sent a few twin-seater A-1Es to the front in summer 1963, when the 1st Air Command Squadron was formed. Useful for low-level attacks, and ideal as escorts for rescue missions, during the early years of the war they did everything and flew everywhere, being given the familiar name of 'Spad' from the famous World War One fighter. Skyraider, the last piston-engined fighter aircraft of the US Navy, carried out some 100,000 missions in the skies of Vietnam prior to its final disappearance . David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4448 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4448" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft3a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft3a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft3a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The F-100Ds, last single-seater version of the first American supersonic fighter, provided with an autopilot and also armed with bombs attached to the underside of the wings, played an important role in the Vietnam war, with over 300,000 missions from August 1964 to July 1971, when the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing finally left Phan Rang to return to the United States. The 615th TFS was the first unit furnished with F-100Ds to reach Da Nang on August 5, 1964, followed on August 17 by the 401st TFW, stationed at Tan Son Nhut. The Super Sabres, familiarly known as 'Huns', a shortened version of 'Hundred', were immediately used for low-level night bombing missions, and during the first years of the war pounded objectives in South Vietnam where suspected concentrations of Viet Cong had been sighted. For this type of mission the F- 100Ds were armed with two CBU-24 bombs which, on opening, released a large number of anti-personnel devices, and two 750lb (340kg) napalm bombs. Once they had dropped their load, the Super Sabres proceeded to spray the zone under attack with their four 20mm cannons to complete the 'cleaning up' work. Because of their adaptability and, even more, the lack of a real alternative, numerous F-100 Wings were used in Vietnam, some of them consisting of squadrons of the Air National Guard, called up for front line service. The 3rd TFW alone carried out more than 100,000 missions in 1969! From the end of 1965 a number of two-seater F-100Fs, the Wild Weasel 1, carrying anti-SAM electronic equipment, were in action, operating from the Korat base in Thailand. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4449 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4449" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft3b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft3b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft3b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The F-100Ds, last single-seater version of the first American supersonic fighter, provided with an autopilot and also armed with bombs attached to the underside of the wings, played an important role in the Vietnam war, with over 300,000 missions from August 1964 to July 1971, when the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing finally left Phan Rang to return to the United States. The 615th TFS was the first unit furnished with F-100Ds to reach Da Nang on August 5, 1964, followed on August 17 by the 401st TFW, stationed at Tan Son Nhut. The Super Sabres, familiarly known as 'Huns', a shortened version of 'Hundred', were immediately used for low-level night bombing missions, and during the first years of the war pounded objectives in South Vietnam where suspected concentrations of Viet Cong had been sighted. For this type of mission the F- 100Ds were armed with two CBU-24 bombs which, on opening, released a large number of anti-personnel devices, and two 750lb (340kg) napalm bombs. Once they had dropped their load, the Super Sabres proceeded to spray the zone under attack with their four 20mm cannons to complete the 'cleaning up' work. Because of their adaptability and, even more, the lack of a real alternative, numerous F-100 Wings were used in Vietnam, some of them consisting of squadrons of the Air National Guard, called up for front line service. The 3rd TFW alone carried out more than 100,000 missions in 1969! From the end of 1965 a number of two-seater F-100Fs, the Wild Weasel 1, carrying anti-SAM electronic equipment, were in action, operating from the Korat base in Thailand. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4450 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4450" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft3c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft3c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft3c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: The F-100Ds, last single-seater version of the first American supersonic fighter, provided with an autopilot and also armed with bombs attached to the underside of the wings, played an important role in the Vietnam war, with over 300,000 missions from August 1964 to July 1971, when the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing finally left Phan Rang to return to the United States. The 615th TFS was the first unit furnished with F-100Ds to reach Da Nang on August 5, 1964, followed on August 17 by the 401st TFW, stationed at Tan Son Nhut. The Super Sabres, familiarly known as 'Huns', a shortened version of 'Hundred', were immediately used for low-level night bombing missions, and during the first years of the war pounded objectives in South Vietnam where suspected concentrations of Viet Cong had been sighted. For this type of mission the F- 100Ds were armed with two CBU-24 bombs which, on opening, released a large number of anti-personnel devices, and two 750lb (340kg) napalm bombs. Once they had dropped their load, the Super Sabres proceeded to spray the zone under attack with their four 20mm cannons to complete the 'cleaning up' work. Because of their adaptability and, even more, the lack of a real alternative, numerous F-100 Wings were used in Vietnam, some of them consisting of squadrons of the Air National Guard, called up for front line service. The 3rd TFW alone carried out more than 100,000 missions in 1969! From the end of 1965 a number of two-seater F-100Fs, the Wild Weasel 1, carrying anti-SAM electronic equipment, were in action, operating from the Korat base in Thailand. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4451 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4451" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft5a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft5a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft5a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Almost all the F-104s in the fighter-bomber version, assigned the letter C, were used in Vietnam, for 21 months, during which time they performed important, far-ranging work. The first fifteen Starfighters arrived in April 1965, with the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing: from April 20 to November 20 of the same year they carried out 2,927 missions of machine-gunning, bombing and escorting strike aircraft, sometimes in North Vietnamese air space, before returning to the United States. The 476th was back, however, in June 1966, operating from the Udorn base in Thailand. The F-104Cs were now camouflaged in accordance with operational needs and in July were handed over to the 436th TFS and in October to the 435th, still belonging to the 479th TFW. From June 1966 to July 1967 the F-104Cs carried out escorting and bombing missions on North Vietnam, with over 5,290 sorties. The last Starfighter left Thailand before the end of 1967, its duties being taken over by the Phantom F-4D. Although not much has been written and said about the F-104C, it seems to have given a good account of itself, but the shortage of machines obviously limited its use. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4452 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4452" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft5b.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft5b.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft5b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Almost all the F-104s in the fighter-bomber version, assigned the letter C, were used in Vietnam, for 21 months, during which time they performed important, far-ranging work. The first fifteen Starfighters arrived in April 1965, with the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing: from April 20 to November 20 of the same year they carried out 2,927 missions of machine-gunning, bombing and escorting strike aircraft, sometimes in North Vietnamese air space, before returning to the United States. The 476th was back, however, in June 1966, operating from the Udorn base in Thailand. The F-104Cs were now camouflaged in accordance with operational needs and in July were handed over to the 436th TFS and in October to the 435th, still belonging to the 479th TFW. From June 1966 to July 1967 the F-104Cs carried out escorting and bombing missions on North Vietnam, with over 5,290 sorties. The last Starfighter left Thailand before the end of 1967, its duties being taken over by the Phantom F-4D. Although not much has been written and said about the F-104C, it seems to have given a good account of itself, but the shortage of machines obviously limited its use. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4453 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4453" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft5c.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft5c.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft5c.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: Almost all the F-104s in the fighter-bomber version, assigned the letter C, were used in Vietnam, for 21 months, during which time they performed important, far-ranging work. The first fifteen Starfighters arrived in April 1965, with the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing: from April 20 to November 20 of the same year they carried out 2,927 missions of machine-gunning, bombing and escorting strike aircraft, sometimes in North Vietnamese air space, before returning to the United States. The 476th was back, however, in June 1966, operating from the Udorn base in Thailand. The F-104Cs were now camouflaged in accordance with operational needs and in July were handed over to the 436th TFS and in October to the 435th, still belonging to the 479th TFW. From June 1966 to July 1967 the F-104Cs carried out escorting and bombing missions on North Vietnam, with over 5,290 sorties. The last Starfighter left Thailand before the end of 1967, its duties being taken over by the Phantom F-4D. Although not much has been written and said about the F-104C, it seems to have given a good account of itself, but the shortage of machines obviously limited its use. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800 http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4454 <a href="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4454" target="_blank"><img title="2us_aircraft10a.jpg" border="0" src="http://www.patriotfiles.com/gallery/data/542/thumbs/2us_aircraft10a.jpg" alt="2us_aircraft10a.jpg" /></a><br /><br />by: David<br /><br />Description: When it first went into action in Southeast Asia, the Grumman A-6A Intruder was the most modern and sophisticated warplane then operating from the US fleet's aircraft carriers. Thanks to its advanced electronic equipment, it was a plane capable of spotting and attacking an objective, even one as small as a truck or a tank, if necessary in poor light or even at night. As the war spread, Intruders were used in ever greater numbers, often as escorts to A-4 Skyhawks, homing in on the target with greater effectiveness. Other variants of the Grumman A-6 went into production, notably the one specialized in electronic warfare. This type of plane suffered relatively heavy losses, 51 machines being shot down by enemy fighters or anti-aircraft, and eleven as a result of operational accidents. The intruder is still one of the best all-weather attack aircraft in the US Navy. David Wed, 08 Jan 2003 00:02:02 -0800