Hi all, I was wondering what your favorite vietnam era flying things are.
All of them! [:D] No seriously, I can’t choose.
Vietnam is not my area of interest, but i do have a thing for the F-111.
This appears to be a difficult question, as I sit here trying to pin down my “favorite” I find that I really cannot pick just one or even two for that matter.
Viet Nam was in my opinion a proving ground for many new aircraft designs, kinda like Desert Storm, all the weapons platforms had been tested on paper but until action over Nam hadn’t had a chance to work…or fail.
I guess like those before me who are interested in that era and newer I too would have to say all.
All of them pretty much as well, but to call out a few:
A-1 Skyraider
F4 Phantom
F-105 Thunderchief
AH-1 Cobra
OH-6 Cayuse
B-52 Stratofortress
Easy stuff - mostly radial birds [:D]
AC-47 Spooky
A-1 Skyraider
and of course, an icon of the war
B-52D Stratofortress
Ok. But what would be on your wishlist for nam’ era also?
a proper 1/48 AH-1G. The original purpose designed helicopter gunship. The only 1/48 kits of the G are old and pretty much only resemble a G, and the prototypes at that. Right now the only way to build one is to Frankenstein convert using the Fujimi J and S kits for their rounded canopy and early type engine housings respectively.
I gotta say the F-4 is my favorite. I just love the look of it. Had a poster of it on my wall as a kid in the early 70’s. After that I’ll go with the work horse Huey.
Okay ”wish list” is an easier question! Top of mine is an accurate B-57G in 1/48. The Airfix kit is a joke, with a fictitious cockpit, weird bulged front fuselage, undersized chin sensor fairing, and an overall blah execution. I have a Classic Airframes B-57B, but it it a challenging kit. I have most of a Canberra T.17 built, but it’s still kicking my butt. Oh, and I’d like parts and markings for the experimental bird with the 20mm ball turret.
I’d also like a 1/48 B-26K. I know Must Have Models did one, but again it looks suspect. If Monogram were still around I’d be thrilled if they did both of them.
And my pick “For Libery and Justice for All”, a 1/35 AH-1G. Why no modern kit manufacturer has done the first of the helo gunships is beyond me. And a UH-1B to go with the Cobra.
I’d also say a new 1/72 B-52D, but it seems Model Collect is working on one. I just hope they iron out all the bugs from their initial B-52G kit.
What he said![Y]
Actually, IMHO, Vietnam was as much an air war of the proven as the yet to be proved. Aircraft such as the A-1 Skyraider, T-28 Trojan, O-1 Bird Dog, C-119 Flying Boxcar, C-47 Buffalo, A-26 Invader were all seasoned veterans by the time of the SEA conflict. Most were post-WW2 designs that saw service in the Korean conflict and were pressed into service in Vietnam by the USAF from a lack of necessary equipment. Since the USAF had opted for offensive/defensive nuclear strike aircraft during the post WW2 era, the Air Force had developed lots of strategic bombers and supersonic interceptors and fighters, but had ignored the need for ground support and attack aircraft. Thus the old reliables were called up to fill in.
BTW, my favorites are all of the above and more. My wish list would include a 1/48 Bell Huey UH-1F (kit bashing one has been a challenge I wouldn’t repeat), a 1/48 or 1/72 Sikorsky HH-3 Jolly Green Giant, a proper 1/48 OV-10A Bronco with both cockpit seats (correct ejection seats would be nice), accessory parts for Vietnam era aircraft, such as: a minigun kit that included barrels and action, and a variety of gun mounts and ammo feeder tubes, 1/48 figures with weapons…M-16s, grenade launchers, shotguns, etc., 1/48 Vietnam era vehicles including both military and civilan types. A lot of USAF vehicles were purchased directly from civilian sources like International Harvestor crew cab pickups, step vans (look like bread trucks), and other major auto manufacturors. Apparently the model manufacturers don’t want you to mix your aircraft with your armor and other vehicles.
Overall, one of the things about the Vietnam era that intrigues me is the broad range of craft that the US, South Vietnam, and their allies made use of. Some of the craft that I find of particular interest include;
- T-28
- A-1
- OV-1
- OV-10
- 0-1
- UH-1
To me, these craft really help show that sometimes the most important aviation asset in an inventory isn’t necessarily the fastest, highest flying, or hardest hitting, but rather sometime its more important to have something available that can ffectively do the jobs needed at the time.
The Vietnam War did see a lot of untried innovations.
New tech for the fast movers included terrain following radar (TFR), inertial navigation, and smart bombs.
For the low and slow crowd, the concept of counter insurgency (COIN), gunships, and IR, EM and LLTV sensors.
Although when you think about it, COIN was not new - in WW II and Korea it was called ground attack. The whiz-bang supersonic guys just forgot about the need for it and thought mach-2 missile armed fighters were all that were needed.
i think the wide variety of aircraft (and colors - hi viz US Navy planes) is what makes the era a popular modeling genre.
Oh, and add a new 1/72 Skycrane to the list! And 1/48 for those with expansive shelf space.
Well it has to be the F-4, but right now I’m in love with the RF-101c and looking forward to the new Kittyhawk kit and the new Caracal decals to go with it!
I also find it difficult to grade any particular ones, they all were real workhorses and contributed so much, plus I know very little about spec’s and mission performance.
From strictly a modeling position, I like the F-105, F-4, B-52G, UH-1 and AH-1 Cobra. To me they just looked ready for a fight.
My respects to all of you that did serve there, thank you.
Patrick
The Phantom hands down specially in the multitude of colorful USN squadrons, followed by the Thud and the H-34.
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.