USAF C-130B #58-0743, photographed the day following of it's destruction. It had returned from flying myself and another Airman to Chu Lai. I was told that they had one heck of a time trying to extinguish the fire. access to the cockpit area was near impossible to get to. [photo via Roger W.]
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C-130 #58-743
Destroyed in 122mm rocket attack at Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam. A lucky shot put the mortar down the top hatch. A fuel truck was just ready to make the connection at the time of the explosion. Because of the intense heat and lack of access to the cockpit, the fire was almost impossible to fight. The largest tow-tug on base was used to repeatedly hit the nose of the plane from the side until the heat-stressed aluminum gave way. This opened up the aircraft forward of the wing allowing access to extinguish the fire.
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