Vietnam Picture

US Army Soldiers being dropped off to assist a unit of Soldiers that walked into a ambush and we're cut in half by the NVA. I'm sure all hell broke loose. I REALLY like the Sgt's Firearm (I think I see a bottom of a 30 Round Mag below his fingers) he's holding. I wonder what year this was taken.

Note: I just wrote a quick summary of the big story about this and the other pictures, but if Mark in Rochester can find a Caption to this picture by all means do so. It would be more detailed with more information. Sorry if this is a Re-Post.

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Originally Posted by imntxs564

I REALLY like the Sgt's Firearm

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Isn't that an M2 carbine?

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Isn't that an M2 carbine?

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Jim, That's what I thought it is...If so, would this be a early picture or were they used through out the War ?

There are guys here that would know firsthand. JimF4M1s for instance, others...

Didn't the Huey helicopter only become available at some point after the U.S. first entered Vietnam? Perhaps someone knows when the Huey started appearing in large numbers in Vietnam, please?

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

Didn't the Huey helicopter only become available at some point after the U.S. first entered Vietnam? Perhaps someone knows when the Huey started appearing in large numbers in Vietnam, please?

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Large numbers of Hueys in mid to late 1965 with the arrival of US 1st Cav. Div. Increased throughtout until about 1970/71.

That picture dates from 1965 to as late as 1967.
Reasoning:
1) Insignia and markings on the UH1s,
2) the UH1's are early models, probably UH1C 'Charlie' models,
3) aircrew are wearing white helmets,
4) unsubdued insignia on the uniforms,
all of which changed after the first major units arrived in 1967.

Additionally, the third bloke (background, middle) appears to be an ARVN soldier, and carbines were often used by American advisors working with ARVN. ARVN were equipped with surplus US WWII weaponry (even as late as my second go-round in Vietnam in 1969-70).

Yep an early photo. The Hueys are A, B or C mods and the guy is most definately carrying a Carbine. Besides which the markings on the birds are all bright colors. Within a year or 2 they were painted in OD.
Sarge

Was there last year and the Bell 212 is still in use at the Jungle Warfare School in Brunei by 7 Flight AAC FYI, great little airframe ideal for abseiling into the ulu

In Australia we always called them Iroquois helicopters. Why was that? Never heard the phrase UH until much later

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

we always called them Iroquois helicopters

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So did we, they were the Bell Iroquois(single engine), as opposed to the Korean was era Bell Sioux, who's bubble front Peter will remember as well...he should, when I encountered one in 1974 it was piloted by and English S/ Sgt and a L/Cpl (UK)

Although the SCOUT was the primary taxi on the border in NI right through the 70's/80'S, the SIOUX with a nightsun fitted, was a great little workhorse over the towns, until the GAZELLE came along. You did however, feel every bump, bloody AAC pilots (most ex PARA Reg):thup:

Some interesting physical landmarks challenged for height and width on occasions, especially ones that trains went under......nuff said, my rear end is twitching now :madsmile::lol::lol:

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

In Australia we always called them Iroquois helicopters. Why was that? Never heard the phrase UH until much later

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That was the designation given by the manufacturer.
UH stood for "utility helicopter" and was the designation applied by the US Army.

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Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

Although the SCOUT was the primary taxi

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I remember when I (Lead scout) stumbled upon them, they were in a small clearing a dozen yards across...we did a nav check with them and then they started up. Sounded like a lawn mower with a gas engine... Then they meshed gears and away they went. Hard to believe they were still in service at that point...I was younger then, 17 I think.

They were officially designated 'Iroquois' as the US Army preferred to name the helicopter models after Native American tribes. e.g. Cheyenne, Apache, Blackhawk. Notable exception was the Cobra. Growing up on US Army bases, I knew they were Iroquois but no one I knew ever called them that except for some military nerds (like me I suppose). We always called them Hueys, which I think derived from the UH model type designation.

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Originally Posted by matthanne1

Hueys,

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Bell UH-1 Iroquois - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They originally came from Hughe's aircraft corp...

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

In Australia we always called them Iroquois helicopters. Why was that? Never heard the phrase UH until much later

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Iroquois was the official 'name' of the aircraft and that is what we, the Kiwis and everyone but the Americans used who preferred the 'model designation', UH-1. It's the same reason the RAAF called the De Havilland Canada built Caribou 'Caribou' and the Yanks called it a C-7A. None the less, they were/are still Iroquois and Caribou respectively.

Does anyone know what happened to the ex Argentine Airforce Huey that was captured by British forces in the Falklands war and brought to the U.K. to be restored to airworthy condition? I saw this helicopter arrive at various shows/events during the late 1980s early 1990s. I believe that it was used to raise money for charity possibly the Royal Airforce Benevolent Fund or a similar service charity.

When the Army wanted to name them after Native American Tribes they sure got it Right with the APACHE. That is one heck of a Destroyer Helicopter. The APACHE could unleash some massive Firepower. I think in Iraq or Afghanistan they had a nickname for it.

Is that a picture of the licensed British built Apache with the Longbow radar above the rotor head?

Here is the Website of the Models of this Sweet Apache.

http://www.airforceworld.com/heli/eng/ah64.htm

Very good flying the rear rotor is very close to a bank also you get glimpses of some blindfolded guests of the US troops
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...86ETyJrx-7ApPA

Flying10uk,
Probably re painted and flying in Brunei knowing the AAC. Brilliant use of a SCOUT front end in the Mess as a fish tank, waste not want not

A fifth Marine CH-46 in Operations Hastings to go down 15 July 1966, in a place that gained the nickname, 'Helicopter Valley', in Vietnam. Hit by enemy AAA fire, a doomed H-46 from HMM-265 trails smoke and flame. The H-46 crashed, and exploded upon impact, in "Helicopter Valley" on the afternoon of 15 July 1966 -- the fifth H-46 lost in the valley that day. Of the 16 Marines aboard (4 crewmen and 12 Grunts) 13 died in the crash and fire. Although severely burned, the remaining three Marines survived. By the end of 1966 there were approximately over 385,000 US Soldiers already in Vietnam.

American Huey 369, American Huey 369, always bring one to the Knob Creek Range show in Kentucky from their museum in Indiana. They have two, one a gunship and the other a Medevac. I went for a ride with a cousin from Ontario several years who'd never been in a helo before and it was a riot to watch his reactions since we were only strapped in by the usual lap belt with the side door open. He was looking for things to grab onto! I always said that you haven't really flown until you've been in one. They don't really fly, they beat the air into submission! The "Creek" show is in a couple of weeks so come join in the festivities.

There a Blast to be in...we did lots of Training in the Huey and the Hook in MWT. You were always in the mercy of the pilots. I'll never forget some maneuvers these pilots would pull during transportation. That was fun training.

https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....1&d=1475401004

The pictured aircraft above has a cable cutter at and above the centre of the windscreens. I noticed that straight off since I remember the Iroquois flown in Vietnam didn't have them. I remember being at the US Army Heliport ('Hotel Three') at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in 1969 or early 1970 waiting for transport and being told that a 'Huey' just crashed upside down into the Mekong River killing all four aboard after taking off from the Saigon docks when it hit a power line cable stretched across the river.

Tan Son Nhut was the big air base at Saigon as I recall where all the big stuff came in. Our little place was Dawsons Field. Please correct me if I am wrong with my old memory. Tan Son is now the main Saigon airport - or whatever it's called now but it ain't Tan Son Nuht or Saigon!

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

we were only strapped in by the usual lap belt with the side door open.

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I've done lots of map of the earth flying in tac ops like that and less, sitting with feet on the strut. New guys don't understand you won't fall out...

As an army cadet in the '71-2 they took us up in one at the Northam army base and flipped it around the sky quite well with the doors open, noisy and windy but great fun I suggest to anyone given the chance to go in one of these for a flight it is well worth the monies to experience it...........

There's Nothing like it...Doors Open with just a Lap Belt...Then every now then you get a Cowboy Pilot and you will have pretty Cool Flight...Even in Las Vegas you can take a Ride in a B 407 and those pilots can take you for a ride, but nothing like in the Service.

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Originally Posted by Peter Laidler

Tan Son Nhut was the big air base at Saigon as I recall where all the big stuff came in. Our little place was Dawsons Field. Please correct me if I am wrong with my old memory. Tan Son is now the main Saigon airport - or whatever it's called now but it ain't Tan Son Nuht or Saigon!

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All correct Mate. The USAF essentially ran the place from what I saw. Air Vietnam had commercial flights in and out as well. Tan Son Nhut was a massive complex that also home to Camp Alpha (which we went through going back and forth to Oz for R&R), the ARVN Airborne school, Hotel Three, and the Air America base and heaven only knows what else. I rode an Air America Dakota from Vung Tau to Saigon once. They were very professional blokes to fly with and not the 'cowboys' the movie made them out to be.

CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 (HMH-462) Forward Operating Base Price, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2013

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Originally Posted by imntxs564

CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 (HMH-462) Forward Operating Base Price, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2013

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Looks like a well built FOB judging by the runway surface. I spent a lot of time pounding around Helmand in 2006, from Lashkar Gah to Sangin, to Musa Qulay, and aside from the Brit base at L-G there was nothing that nice. Also, about Brit mess food at L-G, baking your "fried" eggs in the oven? Why!? Ungodly bouncing eggs, and greasy breakfast bangers... gak! ...FOB Robinson was the nearest safe harbour, and even that place was just a big collection of Hesco's.

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Originally Posted by Sentryduty

Looks like a well built FOB judging by the runway surface. I spent a lot of time pounding around Helmand in 2006, from Lashkar Gah to Sangin, to Musa Qulay, and aside from the Brit base at L-G there was nothing that nice. Also, about Brit mess food at L-G, baking your "fried" eggs in the oven? Why!? Ungodly bouncing eggs, and greasy breakfast bangers... gak! ...FOB Robinson was the nearest safe harbour, and even that place was just a big collection of Hesco's.

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Darren, I knew you would like this one and had thought you could give some nice info on it. This is a Sweet one isn't it ? but those eggs I agree.....YUK !!!

that is a stunning photo. thanks for posting.

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Originally Posted by imntxs564

There's Nothing like it...Doors Open with just a Lap Belt...Then every now then you get a Cowboy Pilot and you will have pretty Cool Flight...Even in Las Vegas you can take a Ride in a B 407 and those pilots can take you for a ride, but nothing like in the Service.

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NOE is a blast! We've been so low as to have raise a bit to get over rice paddy dies - this at 85/90 knots. This was while I was flying door gunner.
Later when I became one of the guys they were dumping in the middle of nowhere I sat in the door with my feet on the skids as i was always one of the first out of the A/C - which usually happened at what I estimated to be 6' off the ground as we were coming in. This cleared the way for the rest of the guys to have a clear exit on touch down. It also gave us 4 guys (2 out each door) on the ground for suppresive fire if it was a hot LZ.
Sarge

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Originally Posted by Sarge

We've been so low as to have raise a bit to get over rice paddy dies - this at 85/90 knots.

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Yup, YAHOO!...

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Originally Posted by Sarge

i was always one of the first out at what I estimated to be 6' off the ground as we were coming in.

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How would you like to try that nowdays, on those knees? That would be different? I think about that stuff now...

U.S. Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment stand on the skids, prepared to jump as a UH-1D Huey helicopter approaches a landing zone during Operation Thayer II in Binh Dinh province, 300 miles northeast of Saigon, in December 1966. Members of the 32-man reconnaissance company would jump as the helicopter hovered at low altitude so that the chopper didn't spend time on the ground in an unsecure area.

Damm, they got the whole load out on the skids. We never did that, only 2 on each side.
With only 4 guys still in the bird at touch down it was almost touch and go, the bird was on the ground such a short time.
Sarge

---------- Post added at 04:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:25 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Yup, YAHOO!...
How would you like to try that nowdays, on those knees? That would be different? I think about that stuff now...

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Unassing the bird at 6' wasn't much, if any, different than a parachute landing.
Yep, my knees do have a tendency to give me minor problems occasionally. That from several hard landing while on jump status.
Of course I never learned anything from all of that cause I still jump!!!
Sarge

"Iroquois" was the official name of the type. The Army named choppers after Indian tribal names.

Bob

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Originally Posted by Sarge

Of course I never learned anything from all of that cause I still jump!!!

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I hear you there...

UH-1 Gunships at work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa_pfN8x27Y

Near Dak To, Kon Tum province, Viet Nam

Most interesting chopper ride I ever had was in a UH-1H belonging to the Hawaii National Guard.

"Pohakaloa Training Area", ("PTA"), on the "Big" Island (Hawaii proper), is mostly a nasty desert of swirling volcanic ash and razor-sharp, solidified lava, called, appropriately enough "Aa' Aa'. Charming place to spend a couple of weeks. Much of the area is designated as a "high explosives impact area", being where the local "live-fire" mortars, artillery, anti-armour stuff and air-strikes are directed. NOBODY goes in with their "demolition kit" in the event of a "blind"; the next lot of lava will just roll over the jagged rocks and cook it off.

For some days after we arrived, there had been a decidedly "pink" glow in the sky, off outside the boundaries of the training area. Turned out that Kilauea, a local, quite active volcano, had opened up a new and fairly lively "vent".

Being excellent hosts, the local troops organised some ""volcano familiarisation" flights for the visitors from Oz.

With a full passenger load, including a couple of lads sitting on the floor, we "wokka'ed" away.

The incredible sight of slow-moving lava consuming the lowland scrub as it headed for the outer suburbs almost pushed aside the nagging question about how one deals with an emergency landing / auto-rotation onto molten rock.

To add to the "entertainment", it started to rain lightly as we circled. The hot, rising volcanic gases were causing some interesting turbulence, but once the rain hit the lava and became "instant steam", it got decidedly lumpier.

Another quaint way to spend a day is abseiling from a helicopter, into the trees, in full battle-order including rifle / machine-gun .

Wildest ride ever in a “civvy’ chopper was in the passenger seat of a Robinson 22 (I think that as the model), mustering water-buffalo in the Northern Territory. Half the time we were whizzing along BELOW the tops of rather tall Eucaypts, trying to convince the cantankerous beasts that they should run towards the big buffalo trap, and soon after, get a nice ride to the meat-works.

There is a REALLY good reason the there is a long, metal bar or hoop mounted below the tail-boom. Sadly, this piece of gear is of no avail when some over-enthusiastic chopper-jockey forgets his altitude whilst concentrating on moving some animals, and dips the tail into a croc-infested “billabong”. Scratch one Bell 47; bonus points for seeing the pilot try to go one better than JC and RUN on water.