Douglas Skyraider

[John A]

I just love these things https://youtu.be/k7wfek6bHIY
They could carry more bomb load than a B17 and are huge for a carrier based aircraft. A few years back one came in here for an air show, the guy had just bought it. The seals in the carburetor had dried up so it wasn’t running right. They had me remove the carb, a Stromberg four barrel as large as a suitcase. I was up on the engine, nervous for if anything gets dropped down the plenum, the engine has to come off and get split open. It went well however and I had this monster in my hot little hands . When I operated the throttle lever, the fuel just sort of dribbled from the accelerator pumps. We sent it off for overhaul and the owner brought in his mechanics to refit the carb. It still wasn’t running right, I was sweating bullets thinking ( as I’m sure everyone else was) that something had gone done the plenum unbeknownst to me. A fuel pump overhaul and new spark plugs had that monster barking . That particular aircraft originally  was outfitted for anti submarine duty and later converted for medevac https://youtu.be/8YXggGnfEP0

[TOMB]

I worked on those at NKP Thailand, USAF 1968-1969 , (wait--The base was never there and neither was I) don't tell anyone.

I did aircraft Sheetmetal repair (bullet holes etc.) Field Modifications and other things that cant be discussed here but included the remains to both aircraft and people. Nuf said

Anyway there were maybe 40 +  A1e- A1J at times plus A26 15 to 25 , T28 at times (but they were not there either)
many Jolly Greens , Huey's + the Navy had the PV2  somebody else had  Helio Couriers Dornier STOL But I cant discuss that either .

Look for a book called The Ravens, I think the authors name is Gregory or Douglas. There is a L19  that is on the cover, that book will tell you more than I can about on this forum that what went on from that base.

TOMB

[LowRyter]

Air America!

[TOMB]

@LowRyter

No comment but there was another group, think something from the alphabet.

TOMB

[Two Checks]

Old MacDonald? E I E I O.

[Aaron D.]

Bought "The Ravens", thanks Tom!

[TOMB]

@Aaron D.

Enjoy the book, the first half is about some of the secret program's, training etc.

I was there doing Aircraft Maintenance (Battle damage type stuff) on a base that didn't exist.

When the signet rings and the names of the programs is mentioned  I was there 1968-1969 (nasty time) and before that i was in Heavy SAC B52's and the planes that kept them flying.

There was a lot going on there that most of the world didn't know about  "AND I WAS NEVER THERE".

TOMB
tbabs1946@gmail.com

[brider]

I just love these things https://youtu.be/k7wfek6bHIY
They could carry more bomb load than a B17 and are huge for a carrier based aircraft.

These were one of the first models (Revel?) I built as a young lad, and as I researched aircraft in later years (I'm a big buff), I gained a new appreciation for this under-the-radar workhorse that just wasn't very sexy-looking at all.

The Douglas A-4 hot-rod was another one, and as it happened, my first job out of college was at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach! So yeah, I have a lot of respect for Douglas Aircraft designs, too bad the company got lost in the merger with McDonnell, and then buyout by Boeing. I still gag when I hear of the "Boeing" F/A -18 or F-15. Those are McDonnell aircraft.

[John A]

@Aaron D.

Enjoy the book, the first half is about some of the secret program's, training etc.

I was there doing Aircraft Maintenance (Battle damage type stuff) on a base that didn't exist.

When the signet rings and the names of the programs is mentioned  I was there 1968-1969 (nasty time) and before that i was in Heavy SAC B52's and the planes that kept them flying.

There was a lot going on there that most of the world didn't know about  "AND I WAS NEVER THERE".

TOMB
tbabs1946@gmail.com

I was trained on B-52’s but never worked on them. I went to SRW, the Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in SAC where I got to travel and fool around with weird airplanes that don’t exist. It was a real eye opener to see what goes on out in the world that we are clueless about here in the States. Or so I’ve heard..

[Phil/TX]

My last few hours at Na Trang, in the ops tent sitting on my luggage, when a south Vietnam pilot in an A1E, came in for a touch and go, and for some reason dropped a napalm bomb about 200 yards from me! I mean my last few hours there and I thought it was over! Was never so glad to get on that plane to Japan.