C-117 at Chu Lai

The Marines used a a work horse hauling everything.

 

More info on the River Rat C-47

 My friend Jamie from Australia.  Sent me this email.  The email is full of grat information on the River Rat C-47.   Looks like the aircraft had numerous different paint scheme.

Hi Jamie, I've attached an email I received from Greg Lewis (USAF Ret), who's Dad may well have flown 'our Dakota'

'Nick,

Sorry to be late getting back to you, dealing with a lot of snow here in the NE of the USA.  I really got a kick out of this picture.  This C-47 belongs to what was the 355^th Tactical Fighter Wing based at Tahkli Royal Thai Airbase, probably taken around 1967.  At that time, the 355^th flew F-105s and EB-66s, and along with the 388^th at Korat, was responsible for most of the Rolling Thunder bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong.  Our organization was founded the year prior.  Also, most USAF bases, including Tahkli and Korat had a couple C-47s assigned for their use as “utility” aircraft.  Here’s the cool part, my father, Oliver W Lewis, was the support group commander at Tahkli, responsible for all things required to “support” a combat operation.  Dad was a WWII B-29 pilot and a Korean War B-26 pilot, but was sent to Tahkli in a non-flying job to run the support group, which he had done in the USA at other bases.  Since he had lots of time flying C-47s after WWII, he checked out in Tahkli’s C-47 and flew it all over South East Asia, he may very well have flown this aircraft.  To answer your specific question, Tahkli hosted River Rats tactics conference in 1967 and 1968 I believe.  This airplane flew to other bases to bring combat pilots to Tahkli, the “party bus.”  Obviously the additions to the standard paintjob are “non-regulation,” we fighter pilots have a rebellious streak!  I’m sure the rest of the aircraft had the standard USAF markings.  Dad passed in 1994 way too young at 71 years old from a horrible cancer which I have come to believe was very likely a result of Agent Orange exposure.  I had my own 29 year USAF career and a second 18 year career as a pilot for Southwest Airlines.  After retiring from SWA, I took this on as a fun part time job to keep me off the streets.  I was a 15 year old kid at the time of the photo, and by the way, many years later, had a wonderful tour in the UK flying A-10s from 1979-82, fond memories.  Anyway, hope this helps, made my day!

Greg

 

Nick,
If anybody ever tells you anything about an aeroplane which is so bloody complicated you can't understand it, take it from me: it's all balls.
— R. J. Mitchell

 

Update on River Rats C-47

After battling with trolls on face books.  I finally got an answer about this colorful C-47.






Bill Walton Are you guys absolutely sure this wasn't the famous/infamous VC-47 occasionally commandeered by the 355th TFW (PACAF's Pride/River RATS) when they were based at Takhli RTAFB flying Thuds from 1965 to 1970?

Robert Archer 44-76338 was assigned to the 355th TFW at Takhli from 31 May 1967..transferred to 6486th ABW at Hickam on 30 June 1970.. Quite possible the scheme was applied for one of the special occasions mentioned above.. Subsequent fate unknown.

Reader feed back on Colorful C-47

I received this email about the Colorful C-47.  It is great to see that I have fo;;owers of this blog.   These are the emails that inspire me to keep posting,   Jamie when you finish the model I would like to post a picture of in on the blog.. Thanks

j	May 20, 2020, 7:23 PM (12 hours ago)
to me

Morning Gary, greetings from Australia! 

My name is Jamie McIntyre, ex-Royal Australian Navy (just a touch over 23 years) now living in Tweed Heads South, NSW. 

I found your Blog a few months back during a Google search, and am now a regular but until now silent lurker! 

Just wanted to let you know that your post on May 9 led to me creating the below for my Italeri 1/72 kit. 

I've been making my own decals since 2006, going from inkjet to laser and back to inkjet, currently using Dr Decal & Mr Hyde Waterslide Inkjet Decal Paper through a Canon Pixma MG2965 printer, and over-coating with Microscale Liquid Decal Film. This is the start of my 108th A4 sheet for personal use, not counting ones I sell (EBay, forums) or do for friends! 

I make the artwork on Powerpoint so have to take a few "artistic liberties" here and there (ie the font, close but no cigar, and note how the circled 3 and 5 over the star n bar impinge on the numeral below, I can't replicate this), and while I assume the artwork was applied to one side only have done it for both just in case. 

Hope you like it, Jamie

Colorful C-47s

After WW2 the C47's went from the OD and gray color schemes to some amazing  colorful aircraft