Questions about some Vietnam ops

ford2go · by **ford2go** » 01 Mar 2009, 07:20

I was at Ubon RTAFB in the 60s, and over the years I've wondered about the role played by some of the non USAF aircraft.

The Aussies were there, and it's easy to find out (now) that they had 8 of the Australian versions of the F-86. (Rumor had it that they also had beer on the flightline, but that's another story). Haven't been able to find anything very definitive about what they actually did.

There were also some A1Es(Thai IIRC), and I'm not sure what they did. Can't even find a mention of them -- but I know that they were there.

We weren't far from Laos, so I suspect that's where they went, but I don't know.

Thanks in advance,

f2g

TC · by TC » 01 Mar 2009, 11:28

Good questions Ford. Hopefully, our resident 'Nam pilots, Gums and Snake will track this one, and post what they know.

StolichnayaStrafer · by **StolichnayaStrafer** » 01 Mar 2009, 18:53

Those Aussie F-86s were COOL!!!

Although a little slower, I bet they would have given the MiG-17s a run for their money! :twisted:

ford2go · by **ford2go** » 07 Mar 2009, 07:16

Bump!

Not trying to be annoying, I'm just really curious about this subject.

Thanks,

ford2go

south · by **south** » 23 Mar 2009, 07:27

Caveat - This is from memory

Ubon was built by the Aussies. We sent the CAC Sabres there (heavily modified with Rolls Royce AVON engine (biggest engine put in a Sabre), Aim9B missiles, 2x30mm cannon) there for Air Defence, and I believe they occasionally did DACT with the USAF Jets.

http://airwarvietnam.com/raafno79.htm

ford2go · by **ford2go** » 29 Mar 2009, 06:40

Thanks South! That helps. Still wonder about the A1Es

Wonder what might have come over from Laos? ( I assume that was the threat)

Never met any of the folks from Oz, but we knew that they were there !
- Kangaroo stencils everywhere
- The white Christmas. I was tdy at the time, but a fire truck appeared and foamed our base to give us a white Christmas. Apparently some of our brass took exception and called over to the other side to complain. Rumor has it that the answer was "Merry Christmas"

Gotta love it