Your list of favorite Nam' era flying things.

Thought about this thread just the other day--an image popped up in my feed of a USAF EC-121 in full SEA camo.  ind of striking to see a Connie like that.

A toss up between a Skyraider and a B-57

Illustrating why those 5" mounts are more properly reffered to as gun rooms.

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol52no2/iac/an-air-combat-first.html

ikar01

As far as I know, there never were any bombers used by the north, or attack aircraft either.  In the early 80s the J.A.S.D.F. intercepted a Vietnamese bomber entering their airspace.  It was a Beagle, camoflaged and wearing north markings.  I was very tempted to borrow that photo when I saw it.

 

The North did have a squadron of IL-28s during the war but never used them in combat. They did do a strike on a CIA station in Laos using AN-2 Colts. IIRC, one was engaged and shot down by a UH-1. They also used some bombed up Mig-17s to do an air strike on USS Higbee and USS Oklahoma City which ere doing shore bombardment of North Vietnam during the Easter Invasion of 1972.They actually scored a hit on USS Higbee, destroying the after 5” turret during that strike.

Never heard of any either......But had they done it, they would have caught us, pants down, at least for the first couple of strikes.  Not much down south or in Thailand for AA defenses.  At least that was obvious.

As far as I know, there never were any bombers used by the north, or attack aircraft either.  In the early 80s the J.A.S.D.F. intercepted a Vietnamese bomber entering their airspace.  It was a Beagle, camoflaged and wearing north markings.  I was very tempted to borrow that photo when I saw it.

H-21s were the Army's main battle helicopter in Vietnam until the late part of 1963.

I can't just pick one, lol. By catagory, though...

Fighter/Attack: F-4. EDIT: Reading other replies, it's actually a straight tie between this and the F-100. I can't believe I forgot about that. 

Medium: AC-119G, by far. It's all my favorite things about the AC-47 crammed into a strange looking airframe with an extra minigun. 

Heavy/Bomber: Tu-95. (Right era, though I don't think it ever actually saw the war). If if has to be IN the war, B-52.

Helicopter: Oh ***, that one's hard. I'm not really a helicopter guy, but I've always liked the Flying Banana. I don't know that it counts, though- it may have been used in an extremely limited role very early into the conflict or the couple of years before the conflict.

German Armour

Hi all, I was wondering what your favorite vietnam era flying things are.

 

Hands down favorite would be the F-4.

But I also love all the Century series aircraft and the B-52.

A couple that my step-dad worked during his time in Vietnam was the P2V7 Neptune and the P-3B Orion. I built him one of each of those (had to back-date the Hasagawa P-3C kit to a B).

For me all of those aircraft are works of art. If it flies I love it. That having been said, I have an emotional attachment to the UH-1. (HUEY, SLICK). The wop, wop, wop sound is etched in my memory. I'm also very fond of the guys who flew them and the guys who manned the door guns. The C-47 gun ship left an impression on me and a whole lot of others. They provided air support like no others. The A-1s hung around and laid down fire and other ordinance which was also much appreciated. The "fast movers" zipped in and out. We have a UH-1 out in front of our VFW building and whenever I go there I salute that old bird. I also toast Maj. Charles L. Kelly. Currahee.

OK, F-4, F-111, and the A-7, mainly because I've been buzzed by all 3. Talked about WOW.

The OV-10 has a special place. My Uncle was lost over Cambodia in one trying to help a special forces team. The more I read about FAC's and what they did and the more I talk to my mom about her brother I get a picture of someone not only with solid steel rocks but a highly intelligent and skilled individual. My cousin also fills in some of the holes. Being a former Army Ranger he has contacts some of whom knew our uncle.

All versions of the Phabulous Phantom.

First two that come to mind any time someone mentions Vietnam.  Herc and Phantom.

How about the SR-71?....

Oh!, and I cannot forget the AC-130 gun ship... 

A couple others that come to mind are the F-100 Super Sabre in bare metal, vietnam camoflage, or even the Thunderbirds; and the A-1H "Sandy" Skyraider close air support plane.

Ben

It has occurred to me on this bleak Sunday afternoon that not all of my favorite 'Nam era flying things wore SEA camo.

Mars, PBM, Neptune, and the EC121 leap to mind. 

As do the Mercury and Gemini program birds.  And the X-15 & X-22 for that matter

I have to say, the choppers are my favorite.  

1.  UH-34D Sea Horse

2.  UH-1 Huey

3.  CH-53A/D Sea Stallion

Then I'll start in with the fixed wings:

1.  F-4B/J Phantom II

2.  Mig-21 "Fishbed"

3.  F-105D Thunderchief

4.  F-100 Super Sabre

5.  A-6A Intruder

6.  F-8 Crusader

The C-7 had some interesting paint jobs around Christmas time.

O-1

C7-A

Phantoms(D, E, Rf), Thud, Spad, O2, Spooky BUFF

German Armour

Ok. But what would be on your wishlist for nam' era also?

I need deviate slightly from original post for what I would like or wish a manufacturer would produce/offer. 

While still in the "Gooney" family, we are way overdue for a 1/72 (or 1/48) kit of the C-117 "Super Gooney."

Although it seems to have avoided the lime light, the C-117 served the Corps during and beyond the Viet Nam War.

Still a radial! 

A-4

A-6

A-1

A-7

F-8

I don't remember seeing a 141B during the war.  I believe it showed up  couple years later.

My favorites of the ones I was around were:

H-43 Huskie/Pedro  I would really like to see a good 1/48th kit of this aircraft.  It several  jobs that were never mentioned beside aircraft carsh/rescue.

C-130 and some of its variations

B-52D/G  The "G" model was there for a while, especially for the '72 offensive

A-7D

F-105

F-4D/E

C-141A

C-5A

Airtruk

U-2 we had three

SR-71 when it made the occasional stop over

EC-121 with the lower dome only

OV-10A

YO-3 Quiet Star I have only seen photos of this one.

True. I have a Mig-19 and a IL-28 in the stash. The latter is on the hook for 1967 Israel/ Egypt though.

    A-4s E/F varients with the camel back.

    Phantoms, all of them!

    Buffs

     C-141Bs 

    HOGs High Occupancy Gunships, yea I know troop haulers were slicks but hey it kinda sounds cool.

     As for the other side....Mig-21 hands down.

There are so many good directions you can take this.

Like all Century series birds.

All observation/FAC birds

Just bobmbers.

Even just transports.

Even a resaonably good collection by only AF or only USN/USMC.

So many of the a/c are iconic, the Buff, the spad, intruders, scooters, the OV-10.

Anything Gull Gray over White.

My friend Jim flew A-4s and A-7s.

My friend Keith flew UH-1s.

I knew a guy who flew Skymaster FACs.

I've got a F-100 FAC Misty in the stash.

The Phantom hands down specially in the multitude of colorful USN squadrons, followed by the Thud and the H-34.