airfix1338

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. 

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??

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,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.

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.

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.

Hello-this aircraft was coded HCE of the 435 Transport Squadron 53 Tactical Wing VNAF at TAN SON NHUT Air Base and escaped on 29 4 75 to U Tapao AFB Thailand.A picture of this aircraft in black and white is on the vnafmamn website.

Hello,this aircraft is 56-0432 GZN of the VNAF 437 TRANSPORT SQUADRON FORMERLY AT TAN SON NHUT UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO DERELICT-WITH POSSIBLY PARTS USED FROM SOME OF THE OTHER 7 C-130A  AIRCRAFT-ONLY 4 ARE LEFT NOW.WHEN CAPTURED IN 1975 IT WAS REPAIRED AND WAS IN THE  VPAF UNTIL THE EARLY 1980s.

A C-130A flew from Con Son Island?-this is news to me-can anyone throw any light on where this information came from?BoHD can you tell us this source???

Hello again,I have came across another Vietnamese language film called Nhung guong mat thang 5 (phim tai lieu 1975) showing the aftermath of the war in 1975,it shows the final fate of C-130A 55-00045 of the VNAF at Tan Son Nhut. At 2m09s pictures show the aircraft burnt out on the ground on the southern ramp area further south than the group of 3 C-130As led by 56-0489/GZJ.The tailcode is clearly shown on the still intact tailplane which has fallen on the ground as HCA/(0)5-0045.The pictures continue until 3m12s.Anyone got any thoughts or opinions on this?

Hello all,one of my original questions has been answered-I have just received MILITAIR 1982 by John Andrade as a secondhand book-in the section on Vietnam the ex-VNAF C-130A HERCULES that defected to Singapore in 1979 crewed by an ex-VNAF C-130A pilot is identified as 002-the VPAF code for VNAF C-130A 56-0519 GZP captured on the ground at TAN SON NHUT on 29/4/1975.The pilot was probably granted political asylum,the aircraft was presumably collected by a VPAF crew and taken back to communist occupied VIETNAM.Does anyone have anything to add or comment on this?

My latest information on VNAF C-130A Aircraft- 54-01631/???  54-01634/???  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/GZL  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/???  56-00518/HCM  56-00519/GZP  56-00521/HCH  56-00524/???  56-00532/GZN  56-00542/GZI  56-00543/???  56-00545/HCP  57-00460/HCF  57-00465/???  57-00472/HC?    Any information or corrections are welcome.Thankyou,regards simon.

Hello again Bob-you are correct about everything in your reply,however the mystery remains as to which aircraft have which correct tailcodes? GZG and GZM were photographed at U Tapao in April 1975 after they escaped from the communist invasion-I have been unable to tie-up these with their respective Aircraft. Does ANYONE have any information or photos of the Aircraft in 1975?I am particularly interested in Guam where all Aircraft transited back to the USA-was anyone reading this there in that timeframe?Please reply if you have ANY information.Also MASDC/AMARC pictures of the returned Aircraft.

Hello all,I have just received a book-UNITED STATES AIR FORCES DIRECTORY 2014/15.Published by Mach 111 Publishing on the website AVIATION RETAIL DIRECT-the book is so popular it is in its second printing-I had to wait for mine-the information in it is first rate-including on our favourite-the C-130 Hercules.My original question on this thread is answered in this book-the 5 C-130A in Singapore undergoing wing repairs were 55-00012/GZH  55-00034/HCE  56-00518/HCM  56-00545/HCP  57-00472/HC?.Apart from 57-00460/HCF which defected  to Singapore on 24th April 1975 and was interned the remaining 9 C-130A that escaped were 55-00008/HCC  55-00027/GZA  56-00479/GZM  56-00481/???  56-00483/???  56-00495/???  56-00500/HCL  56-00524/???  56-00543/???  .All of these aircraft went to the United States via Guam in 1975-most re-entering USAF service.

Hello HercMX-the film is on youtube.Apparently it has been put on DVD in 2006 in Argentina.I am trying to track down a copy-to no avail-does anyone have a DVD of it?if so I would like to get one-especially if the picture quality is improved-I might be able to fill in some knowledge gaps as to which Aircraft is which- such as GZL....

Hello all again,to add to my previous discovery on youtube-I have found another! The title is Abril de Vietnam en el ano del gato (Santiago Alverez 1975).It is a Cuban Spanish language film lasting about 2 hours showing The Republic of Viet Nam in the aftermath of its invasion in 1975. The soundtrack is appalling so I muted it, but, besides the many fascinating scenes in it at 1hr 48m 50s are scenes in colour and b&w of TAN SON NHUT AIRBASE,including C-130A aircraft on the southern ramp area damaged and destroyed including 56-0489/GZJ,an unidentifiable C-130A burnt out next to it and further south another C-130A coded GZL.I recommend everyone to see it-more pictures of a once proud VNAF conquered by a cruel and brutal tyranny.

yes thankyou.

please tell me what and where this picture is/ ok I found it