A repaint of the excellent Asobo/Microsoft/Orbx de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou in the colours of the South Vietnam Air Force (officially the Republic of Vietnam Air Force). Like many of the Caribous transferred to the VNAF, very little is known about the latter years of this particular example. It was delivered new to the US Army as CV-7B 63-9738 (c/n 184) in June 1964 and assigned to the 57th Aviation Company, spending six months at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, before shipping out across the Pacific to Vung Tao, South Vietnam. It was transferred to the US Air Force at the turn of 1967 as part of Operation Red Leaf, joining the newly formed 535th squadron and assigned the tail code 'KH'. Notably, this aircraft twice received special markings during its time in theatre, in December 1969 and again December 1971 when the Cam Ranh air wing painted a huge Santa Clause on its nose. In this guise, 'Santa-bou' carried out goodwill visits to bases across the region, with a suitably attiired flight mechanic (wearing a red suit and fake beard) and half a dozen 'Donut Dollies' (female Red Cross workers) acting as Santa's helpers, dishing out liquor and treats to local troops.
In 1972, with US forces greatly reducing their presence in theatre, 738 was transferred to the VNAF and given the tail code GK. It was operated by the 427th Transport Squadron, part of the 41st Tactical Wing, at Phù Cát Air Base and then later up the coast at Da Nang and reportedly remained in service until 1974 when, facing sizeable budget cuts, the VNAF axed ten of its 66 squadrons, cut flying hours and placed 224 aircraft into storage, among them all 52 of its Caribous. 738 is believed to have been broken up shortly thereafter.
TO INSTALL, UNZIP INTO YOUR COMMUNITY FOLDER
Happy flying
Geordie
Ginete
Thank you!
Ivan750
Привет. Хорошая работа, только одна неточность - серийный номер на ливрее 62-9738, а нужен 63-9738.
Hi. Good job, only one inaccuracy - the serial number on the livery is 62-9738, and 63-9738 is needed.
Geordie83 author
Thanks Ivan, the repaint was updated after the screenshots were taken and the aircraft now carries the correct serial, 63-9738. Cheers!
1 years ago
DC6Pilot
I come back to give you 5 stars. Thanks again from pilot of yesteryear.
DAL757
Thank you so much for this VNAF color!
DC6Pilot
I was going to ask you for this and behold, this. Thank you so much.