elhubrich

I was part of the maintenance recovery team that went up to Bu Dop to get a C130A pieced back together to fly back to TSN. That was November of '69. She took some mortar hits after landing that wiped out the left main tires and number 2 engine. Also tore up the hydraulics for the ramp and elevator controls. There were shrapnel hits all over the left side of the aft fuselage and tail. The Army wanted to blow it up since it had been "quiet" at their camp for a while, but the A/C wouldn't hear of it. The rest of the crew left and he remained behind to make sure the Army left it alone. After our team arrived we stripped out all the extra weight from the cargo compartment to lighten her up, replaced the tires and wheels, removed the torn up outer gear door, scavenged some tubing to get the elevators working again, closed the ramp with a forklift. Then we got in, filled the other crew seats since there was only the original A/C remaining, and took off on 3 engines. I've got some pictures from Bu Dop and some slides I took after return to TSN. I labelled the slides as tail number 5026, but after reviewing the production list it must have been 55-0026. My photos show an angle view of the vertical stab with "YP". I hope this helps fill in a few gaps.

When flying volunteer ACM duty(flare kicker and spotter) with Blind Bat, after a full day of getting all the aircraft ready to fly that night, it was normal for the crew chiefs and other TDY maintenance folks out of the 817th to be geared up with survival vest, blood chit, S&W .38 Airweight revolvers. Nice and cool at altitude with the doors open. When tasked with recovery missions for broken or damaged aircraft out of TSN(834th ALD) it was normal to carry an M-16, a few mags along with flak vest, helmet, and a case of C-rats(older than the consumer, by the way). The M-16 I carried did not remain unused.

Found the song on you tube. Search for "ROAD TO NAMINOUE - OKINAWA". you tube will even convert it to a mp3 for you.

Anybody have a recording of that song that could be downloaded?

Does anybody remember the one of a kind, all in one meal called the Lumburger that was served at the Naha AB snack bar? It fueled many a hungry Herky maintainer, and the thought of it came to me a few days ago.

I think I may have a number for you on that A model RV7PLT saw at TSN in '69. I was part of the maintenance recovery team that went up to Bu Dop to get a C130A pieced back together to fly back to TSN. That was November of '69. She took some mortar hits after landing that wiped out the left main tires and number 2 engine. Also tore up the hydraulics for the ramp and elevator controls. There were shrapnel hits all over the left side of the aft fuselage and tail. The Army wanted to blow it up since it had been "quiet" at their camp for a while, but the A/C wouldn't hear of it. The rest of the crew left and he remained behind to make sure the Army left it alone. After our team arrived we stripped out all the extra weight from the cargo compartment to lighten her up, replaced the tires and wheels, removed the torn up outer gear door, scavenged some tubing to get the elevators working again, closed the ramp with a forklift. Then we got in, filled the other crew seats since there was only the original A/C remaining, and took off on 3 engines. I've got some pictures from Bu Dop and some slides I took after return to TSN. I labelled the slides as tail number 5026, but after reviewing the production list it must have been 55-0026. My photos show an angle view of the vertical stab with "YP". I hope this helps fill in a few gaps. By the way I saw a post in this thread from JCAP, thats one I do remember. Hi Jeff. I just retired too!