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C-130A HERCULES TAIL NUMBERS OF THE VNAF


airfix1338
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  • 4 weeks later...
On 8/1/2014 at 4:12 PM, airfix1338 said:

hello all,i have just found a picture of C-130A 54-01640 in an old edition of AIR EXTRA issue 26 page 6 and the camouflage matches a picture on this website showing the aircraft in VNAF service coded HCO-there is even the faint outline of the VNAF star and bar on the rear fuselage! does anyone have any thoughts or comments on this?

C-130A 54-1640 was a "Snub-Nose" that was later at Willow Grove ARF,PA in 1975. I flew that a few times as an Flt Engineer. It flew great during a Europe run we made from the US.   EFLTatCCK

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  • 2 years later...

I was crew chief of 55-034. 927 TAG, Slfridge AFB in 11972. I was on the mission to take the airplane to Tan Son Nhut. We left Selfridge 10/27/72 and arrived 0n 11/03. The aircraft came home and went to storage at Kirtland AFB. I'm searching for a pic of my bird after the ARVN AF painted their insignia on it. 

I have been asked to write an article about that trip and would love to have a pic of 55-034 in Vietnam

[email protected] 

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Correction-this aircraft was in Singapore along with 4 others being repaired when the Republic of Viet Nam fell-they were all repaired and claimed back by the USAF and flown to Guam then on to the USA-most re-entered USAF service and others went to MASDC.

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  • 1 month later...

Hello All,this is my newly updated list of the VNAF C-130A HERCULES serial numbers and tailcodes. 54-01631/???  54-01634/GZP  54-01640/HCO  55-00001/GZB  55-00002/???  55-00005/GZC  55-00006/???  55-00008/HCC  55-00012/GZH  55-00013/HCD  55-00016/GZE  55-00017/???  55-00027/GZA  55-00034/HCE  55-00045/HCA  56-00476/HCI  56-00479/GZM  56-00481/???  56-00482/HCK  56-00483/???   56-00489/GZJ  56-00495/???  56-00500/HCL  56-00505/GZL  56-00518/HCM  56-00519/GZP  56-00521/HCH  56-00524/???  56-00532/GZN  56-00542/GZI  56-00543/GZD  56-00545/HCP  57-00460/HCF  57-00465/???  57-00472/HC?  As can be seen there are a lot of missing Tailcodes from this list of the 435 TS coded HCA-HCP and the 437 TS GZA-GZP.If anyone can add to or correct this list please reply,thankyou regards Simon.

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  • 1 month later...

Hello All,here is my very latest updated list of VNAF C-130A HERCULES serial numbers and tailcodes.   54-01631/???  54-01634/GZP 54-01640/HCO  55-00001/GZB  55-00002/???  55-00005/GZC   55-00006/???   55-00008/HCC   55-00012/GZH   55-00013/HCD   55-00016/GZE   55-00017/???   55-00027/GZA   55-00034/HCE   55-00045/HCA   56-00476/HCI   56-00479/GZM   56-00481/GZK  56-00482/HCK   56-00483/???   56-00489/GZJ   56-00495/???  56-00500/HCL   56-00505/GZL    56-00518/HCM   56-00519/GZP   56-00521/HCH   56-00524/???   56-00532/GZN   56-00542/GZO   56-00543/GZD   56-00545/HCP   57-00460/HCF   57-00465/???   57-00472/HC?   As before if anyone has any information updates or corrections please reply to fill in the gaps of THE REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM AIR FORCE 435 TS HCA-HCP and 437 TS GZA-GZP, thankyou.

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  • 8 months later...

Hello All-this is my newest update of confirmed VNAF C-130A HERCULES serial numbers and tailcodes.  54-01631/???  54-01634/GZP  54-01640/HCO  55-00001/GZB   55-00002/HCB   55-00005/GZC   55-00006/???   55-00008/HCC   55-00012/GZH   55-00013/HCD   55-00016/GZE   55-00017/???   55-00027/GZA   55-00034/HCE   55-00045/HCA   56-00476/HCI   56-00479/GZM   56-00481/GZK   56-00482/HCK   56-00483/???   56-00489/GZJ    56-00495/???   56-00500/HCL   56-00505/GZL  56-00518/HCM   56-00519/GZP   56-00521/HCH   56-00524/???    56-00532/GZN   56-00542/GZO   56-00543/GZD   56-00545/HCP   57-00460/HCF   57-00465/???   57-00472/HC? As before if anyone can add to or update this please reply to fill in the gaps.THE REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM AIR FORCE 435 TS HCA -HCP and 437 TS GZA-GZP. Thankyou regards Simon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hello All-after some new information came my way here is a much updated VNAF C-130A SERIAL/TAILCODE update- 54-01631/???  54-01634/GZP  54-01640/HCO  55-00001/GZB  55-00002/HCB  55-00005/GZC  55-00006/GZI  55-00008/HCC  55-00012/GZH  55-00013/HCD  55-00016/GZE  55-00017/HCG  55-00027/GZA   55-00034/HCE   55-00045/HCA   56-00476/HCI   56-00479/GZM  56-00481/GZK  56-00482/HCK  56-00483/???   56-00489/GZJ   56-00495/???  56-00500/HCL  56-00505/GZL  56-00518/HCM  56-00519/GZP  56-00521/HCH  56-00524/???   56-00532/GZN   56-00542/GZO  56-00543/GZD  56-00545/HCP  57-00460/HCF  57-465/HCN  57-00472/HCJ.    435 TS HCA-HCP and 437 TS GZA-GZP/ 53RD TRANSPORT WING /5TH AIR DIVISION/ THE REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM AIR FORCE. As before if anyone can help with new or updated information please reply,thank you regards Simon.

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  • 1 month later...

airfix1338

i want to say thank you for your research and pulling together of the serials for the VNAF. i am a flight sim modder active within the StrikeFighters2 community at CombatAce.com i have been working on creating historical skins for the C-130 of all major users that could be represented in game.

the VNAF Hercules have been under represented in game despite the game being out for 20+ years and a C-130A model for 17+ years. your research and sharing it here have been a big help

prelimminary work on the new skin

img00010.thumb.JPG.70a0dadaa4f7b83b73d27e6771c8d8f8.JPG

note: this is not an ad for the game, even though it is not free. my work, as well as the model that i have repainted and done the markings on are free.

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  • 5 months later...

Hello All, after some new information from a French AVIATION MAGAZINE came my way I have a newly updated list of VNAF C-130A  HERCULES 435 TRANSPORT SQUADRON HCA-HCP and 437 TRANSPORT SQUADRON GZA-GZP,53RD TACTICAL WING/ 5TH AIR DIVISION/TAN SON NHUT AIR BASE ,REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM.  54-01631/???   54-01634/GZP  54-01640/HCO  55-00001/GZB   55-00002/HCB   55-00005/GZC   55-00006/GZI   55-00008/HCC   55-00012/GZH   55-00013/HCD   55-00016/HCO  55-00017/HCG   55-00027/GZA  55-00034/HCE   55-00045/HCA  56-00476/HCI  56-00479/GZM  56-00481/HCL  56-00482/HCK  56-00483/???  56-00489/GZJ   56-00495/???  56-00500/GZE  56-00505/GZL  56-00518/HCM  56-00519/GZP  56-00521/HCH  56-00524/???  56-00532/GZN   56-00542/GZO  56-00543/GZD  56-00545/HCP  57-00460/HCF  57-00465/HCN  57-00472/HCJ.  As before,if anyone can add or correct information to this please send it,thank you regards Simon.

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  • 1 year later...

Hello All,several answers have come my way after my last request for updates or corrections.This is my now ULTIMATE LIST of VNAF C-130A HERCULES of the 5th AIR DIVISION,53rd TACTICAL WING,435 TRANSPORT SQUADRON and 437 TRANSPORT SQUADRON. VNAF at TAN SON NHUT AIR BASE 1972-1975.435 TRANSPORT SQUADRON HCA-HCP=  55-00045/HCA   55-00002/HCB   55-00008/HCC   55-00013/HCD   55-00034/HCE   57-00460/HCF   55-00017/HCG   56-00521/HCH   56-00476/HCI   57-00472/HCJ   56-00482/HCK   56-00481/HCL   56-00518/HCM   57-00465/HCN   55-00016/HCO   56-00545/HCP.     437 TRANSPORT SQUADRON GZA-GZP=  55-00027/GZA   55-00001/GZB   55-00005/GZC   56-00543/GZD   56-00500/GZE    56-00483/GZF   56-00495/GZG   55-00012/GZH   55-00006/GZI    56-00489/GZJ   56-00524/GZK   56-00505/GZL   56-00479/GZM   56-00432/GZN   56-00542/GZO   56--00519/GZP.    ADDITIONALLY  3  1954 MODEL C-130A HERCULES WERE DELIVERED IN 1972 BUT DUE TO RADAR INCOMPATABILITY WERE SWAPPED IN 1973 FOR 3 LATER  1956 MODEL  AIRCRAFT-THEY WERE  54-016131/HCP   54-01634/GZP   54-01640/HCO.  I AM CERTAIN THIS LIST IS 100% CORRECT AND COMPLETE. LASTLY A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE LATE BOB DALEY WHO ALWAYS WANTED TO COMPLETE THIS LIST AND HELPED ME IN THE EARLY DAYS-THANK YOU BOB,REGARDS SIMON.

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  • 10 months later...

Hi Simon,

I'd like to extend my gratitude for your hard work, along with the efforts of the late Col. Bob Daley, with finding and identifying the tail codes of the VNAF C-130s.

With respect to the two Herks lost at Song Be, both are attributed to the 435th TS (HCH 56-00521 on 18 Dec 1974 and HCO 55-00016 on 25 Dec 1974). The latter C130, HCO 55-00016, seems to be misidentified. Upon reading through some first hand accounts from pilots from the 435th TS, their memoirs all state that the Herk lost on 25 Dec 1974 was piloted by friends from the sister 437th squadron and should therefore be a GZ# tailcode, not the HCO tailcode attributed. One of these accounts attributes the 25/12/1974 incident to  tailcode GZE, but there are photos of GZE in UTapao AB following the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. With that said, I believe two of your tailcodes are incorrect: HCO 55-00016 and the GZ# tailcode from the 437th that was shot down in Song Be. 

I've been trying to cross reference additional material, but am now hitting dead ends.

Best wishes,
JB

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

PLEASE FIND ABOVE THE C-130A CODED HCO-THIS PICTURE WAS IN THE VIETNAM WAR MUSEUM IN SAIGON AND SHOWS 55-00016/HCO BY SERIAL AND TAIL CODE ON THE GROUND AT SONG BE IN LATE  DECEMBER 1974.THE C-123K PROVIDER BEHIND THE WRECKED HERCULES IS 54-00651/XM OF THE VNAF 425 TRANSPORT SQUADRON WHICH HAD A BAD LANDING ACCIDENT ON 28/10/1972 AT THE SAME LOCATION AND WAS ABANDONED THERE.IT IS NOW IN A LOCAL MUSEUM BADLY PAINTED AND REPAIRED.THIS PICTURE IS USUALLY CROPPED BUT THIS IS THE FULL VERSION SHOWING EVERYTHING.

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HELLO AGAIN-PICTURED ABOVE ARE 56-00521/HCH DESTROYED ON 18/12/1974 AT SONG BE AND ALSO PICTURED IS 2 PICTURES OF HCO  ON THE GROUND AND THE TRAITOR TROUNGS F-5E USED IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ATTACK HIDDEN UNDER THE WING OF HCO. SORRY THE LAST PICTURE IS UPSIDE DOWN-I COULD NOT GET IT THE CORRECT WAY UP!

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HELLO AGAIN -THESE 2 PICTURES PROVE THAT 56-00500/GZE  WAS NOT DESTROYED AT SONG BE IN DECEMBER 1974-THEY SHOW IT AT TAN SON NHUT AIR BASE IN LATE APRIL 1975 IN A REVETMENT -ZOOM IN AND IT IS CLEARLY GZE.THE BASE IS UNDER ATTACK FROM ARTILLERY AND ROCKETS AND MORTAR FIRE IN LATE APRIL 1975.THE OTHER PICTURE VERY CLEARLY SHOWS 56-00500/ GZE AT U TAPAO AIR BASE THAILAND ON 30/04/1975-HAVING ESCAPED FROM VIET NAM THE SAME DAY.IT WAS RECOVERED BY THE USAF AND TAKEN BACK TO THE USA ALONG WITH 14 OTHER C-130A HERCULES-6 FROM SINGAPORE AND 8 FROM THAILAND AND LATER SERVED IN THE 64th TACTICAL AIRLIFT SQUADRON.I HAVE RESEARCHED FOR YEARS ON THIS SUBJECT AND STAND BY ALL OF MY RESEARCH.IF YOU CAN PROVE ME WRONG I WILL BE DELIGHTED TO ACCEPT SUCH PROOF.PLEASE ACCEPT MY REPLIES IN GOOD HEART-THEY ARE ALSO SENT TO ASK IF OTHER PEOPLE KNOW IF I AM WRONG?ON LAST THOUGHT=COULD THE FLIGHT CREWS OF THE 2 DESTROYED HERCULES HAVE BEEN FROM 437 TRANSPORT SQUADRON?COULD THIS BE WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY WERE BOTH 437 AIRCRAFT??

GZE (5).jpg

GZE (4).jpg

Edited by airfix1338
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3 1954 MODEL C-130A SENT BACK FOR REPLACEMENT IN 1973 BY 3 1956 MODEL AIRCRAFT= HCP/GZP/HCO. NEVER RETURNED TO VIET NAM.     7 CAPTURED BY VPAF 30/04/1975=GZB/GZC/HCD/HCI/HCK/GZP/GZN.   DESTROYED 1974 AT SONG BE AIRPORT=HCH/HCO.  DESTROYED IN LANDING OVERRUN AT BIEN HOA AIR BASE 06/04/1975=HCB.     ESCAPED FROM VIET NAM to U TAPAO AIR BASE THAILAND BETWEEN  29/04 to 01/05/1975=HCC/GZA/GZM/HCL/GZF/GZG/GZE/GZK/GZD.    DEFECTED TO SINGAPORE 24/04/1975=HCF.    5 AIRCRAFT UNDERGOING WING SPAR REPAIRS IN SINGAPORE AT THE TIME OF THE SURRENDER AND RECOVERED TO THE USAF IN MAY 1975=GZH/HCE/HCM/HCP/HCJ.      DESTROYED IN COMBAT AT OR ABOVE TAN SON NHUT AIR BASE LATE APRIL 1975=GZI/HCG/HCA/GZJ/GZL/GZO/HCN. THIS COVERS THE FATES OF ALL 35 VNAF C-130A HERCULES OF THE 435 TRANSPORT SQUADRON HCA HCB ETC....AND 437 TRANSPORT SQUADRON GZA GZB ETC..I HOPE THIS HELPS. 

Edited by airfix1338
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  • 3 weeks later...

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