The C-7 Caribou was flown to the museum in 1992. While tracing its history, it was found that the plane was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, from 1969 to 1970. Museum volunteer, Col. Bill Hardie, researched his flight records of the time he spent at Cam Ranh Bay and found that he and the plane were old buddies.
In Vietnam the Caribou was used to re-supply fighting forces in-country because of its unique ability to fly in and out of camps on short, unimproved airstrips. The museum’s ‘bou is restored to its Vietnam-era appearance. In addition to its Vietnam service, this C-7 also served time with the Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team.
Mission
The C-7 was used to move people and materiel into forward areas, where short, unprepared strips were the norm. They were almost always operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or “Special VFR,” but were fully equipped instrument aircraft. Typical cargoes were fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel, and JP-4), munitions (small arms ammunition, 2.75 inch aircraft rockets, 105mm, 155mm, 175mm, and 8-inch howitzer projectiles), food (widely varying from American steak and chicken, to live pigs, chickens, ducks, and eels for the Army of the Republic of Vietnam troops), passengers (U.S. military, Republic of Vietnam military and civilians, and even North Vietnamese Army POWs), and sadly, bodies. Most of the destination airstrips of the C-7 in the 1971 time period were along the borders of Laos and Cambodia with South Vietnam and were firebases or Special Forces outposts (U.S., ARVN, and Montagnard). The Caribou was a workhorse that went from sunrise to sunset every day operating in the heat, humidity, dust, and mud from the low-lying Vietnamese Mekong Delta to the towering mountain regions of the Central Highlands.
The C-7 could accommodate up to 32 passengers, 26 fully equipped paratroops, 20 litter patients, or an 8,740 pound cargo load.
Gallery
Serial Number: 63-9760
Manufacturer:
de Havilland Canada
First Flight:
30 July 1958
Retired:
1980s
Specifications
Crew: Pilot, co-pilot, loadmaster
Payload: 8,740 lbs; or 32 passengers; or 26 paratroops; or 20 litter patients
Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7M2 radials
Length:
72 ft 7 in
Wingspan:
95 ft 7 in
Height:
31 ft 10 in
Empty Weight:
16,920 lbs
Loaded Weight:
28,500 lbs
Maximum Speed:
215 mph
Cruise Speed:
121 mph
Range: 1,380 mi
Service Ceiling: 24,800 ft
AMC Museum Restoration Crew Chief: Bill Landmesser
Assignment History
The assignment history for the Air Mobility Command Museum's C-7A Caribou, serial number 63-9760:
Date | Location |
---|---|
1 Jan 1967 | To 483rd Troop Carrier Wing (Pacific Air Forces), Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
22 Jan 1968 | To Warner Robins Air Materiel Area (AF Logistics Command), Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam, for work |
24 Jan 1968 | To 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing (PACAF), Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
21 Apr 1968 | To 6200th Materiel Wing (PACAF), Clark AB, Philippines |
22 Apr 1968 | To 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing (PACAF), Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
6 May 1968 | To 6200th Materiel Wing (PACAF), Clark AB, Philippines |
13 May 1968 | To 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing (PACAF), Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
6 Jan 1969 | To Philippine Airlines, Manila, Philippines, for work |
3 Mar 1969 | To 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing (PACAF), Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam |
18 Mar 1970 | To 18th Tactical Fighter Wing (PACAF), Kadena AB, Okinawa |
20 Mar 1970 | To 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing (PACAF), Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam |
31 Dec 1970 | Deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam |
4 Jan 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
23 Jan 1971 | Deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam |
27 Jan 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
11 Mar 1971 | Deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam |
17 Mar 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
22 Mar 1971 | Deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam |
27 Mar 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
9 Apr 1971 | Deployed to Can Tho AB, South Vietnam |
10 Apr 1971 | Deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam |
15 Apr 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
7 May 1971 | Deployed to Can Tho AB, South Vietnam |
9 May 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
11 May 1971 | Deployed to Can Tho AB, South Vietnam |
13 May 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
30 May 1971 | Deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam |
7 Jun 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
20 Jun 1971 | Deployed to Can Tho AB, South Vietnam |
21 Jun 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
25 Jun 1971 | Deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam |
3 Jul 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
14 Jul 1971 | Deployed to Can Tho AB, South Vietnam |
16 Jul 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
19 Jul 1971 | To Thai Airways, Don Muang RTAB, Thailand, for work |
1 Oct 1971 | To 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing (PACAF), Cam Ranh Bay AB, Thailand, for work |
23 Oct 1971 | Deployed to Don Muang RTAB, Thailand |
1 Nov 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
3 Nov 1971 | Deployed to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam |
5 Nov 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
15 Nov 1971 | Deployed to Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam |
16 Nov 1971 | Returned to Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam |
10 Dec 1971 | To Warner Robins Air Materiel Area (AFLC), Robins AFB, GA, for work |
16 Feb 1972 | To 908th Tactical Airlift Group, Maxwell AFB, AL |
6 Jul 1976 | To Hayes Aircraft, Napier Field, Dothan, AL, for work |
14 Jul 1976 | To 908th Tactical Airlift Group, Maxwell AFB, AL |
30 Sep 1977 | To 357th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Maxwell AFB, AL |
3 Aug 1983 | Dropped from the USAF inventory by transfer to the US Army, Maxwell AFB, Alabama |
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Mike Egan
4 months ago
Most frightening flight I ever had was on a C7A. I was Navy and arrived in Saigon in August 1971. Was at MACV Annex a couple of days getting equipped then to Tan Son Hut for flight to Bien Thuy, near Can Tho. Plane was carrying some equipment and there were 3 of us sailors on board. We sat on seats attached to sides of plane and cargo nets were hung ceiling to floor. We encountered a monsoon and it was like riding a bucking bronco. We would drop altitude suddenly and then regain it then repeat over and over. The aircraft was rolling side-to-side so one moment you’d be looking down at the seats on the other side then you’d be looking up at the same seats. It seemed like an eternity before we landed and when I looked out the window behind me I saw crabs crawling on the airstrip metal plates, there was so much water they had no problem doing it. I think the air crew was all Army but I was in total awe of their flying ability and the versatility of the C7A.
Reply
Rich USAF
5 months ago
Saw one that from touchdown to complete stop in 75’
Reply
Thach Trinh
Reply to Rich USAF
1 month ago
As a former C-7a pilot, trained by the USAF pilot, i had to practice many such short distance landings! Sometimes we called them ” stalled landing” with full flaps down at 40 degrees.
Reply
Anthony Wildt
9 months ago
I arrived at Cam Rahn Bay August 1967; left August 1968. I was the 483rd Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance (CAM) Squadron Maintenance Supervisor. The CAM squadron consisted of all of the traditional field maintenance shops. Major Libby and then L/Col ?? were the squadron commanders while I was there. CMS Rigor was the maintenance superintendent; SMS Winfrey was the engine shop supervisor. That is all that I can remember without a lot of help. Col. Nash who was the Deputy for Materiel who saved my butt because the F-4 wing at Cam Rahn found out that I was there and tried to steal me away. I had just left two years as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer on the F-4 at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson. I never did understand how I ended up assigned to the C-7A Wing, but I was very pleased to be there.
Another F-4 officer from Davis-Monthan was also transferred to the Caribou; Fred Lampart, He was stationed at Phu Cat.
I had several trips in-country-sometimes to recover a plane from a remote location. I also went to Bangkok for long weekends on more than one occasion. They were noisy but reliable.
On many occasions while I was there someone from the Army would show up at Cam Rahn with some part that they found in a shop; we were happy to get them.
Reply
Jared Smith at jared@smithhowell.com
9 months ago
My late Father was a pilot at Cam Ranh Bay for many years during Viet Nam, and we have many pictures of the pilots there at the time. He was (then) Captain William D Smith, and retired a Lt. Col. Does anyone know who the pilots were for this plane???
Reply
Thach Trinh
Reply to Jared Smith at jared@smithhowell.com
1 month ago
I think captain Smith was one of my instructor pilots in Phucat Air Base.
Reply
Beth
1 year ago
My late father, Lt. Col. Merten Meader was a C-7 AF pilot in Cam Rahn Bay I believe 69-70. If anyone remembers him I wonder if you could tell me what division he was in and if you have any memories to share. Thank you.
‘Beth
Reply
Robert Perkins
1 year ago
Just looked it up, my Caribou flight was early Jan 67 when my step-father died, and I was sent home to be with my mother for a while. And if I remember right it still had Army markings but a mix of Army and Air Force crew so maybe it was a transition training flight for the turn-over.
Reply
Robert Perkins
1 year ago
I may have flown on that bird. I was in Qui Nhon Dec 66 to Jan 69 and on one of my four flights out of country during that period I was on a Caribou to Cam Rahn to a flight to Japan for R&R or the states for one compassionate leave (Step-Father died) and two special leaves home when I extended my tour by 6 months. I don’t remember which of those flights started on a Caribou from Qui Nhon to Cam Rahn.
When I first arrived in Vietnam the Caribous were Army, then they were transferred to the Air Force and here I see at least some went back to the Army later.
Reply
Jennifer l sandy
2 years ago
My grandfather died before I was born and all I have of him is a zippo with his name, John Sandy, Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam 68-69, TAW Caribou. If anyone know anything that would be cool.
Reply
Dylan Pacetti
2 years ago
I am looking for anyone who may have served with my grandfather Allan (Gus) Gustafson. He was a loadmaster on one of these aircraft and did 2 tours in Vietnam.
Reply
dennis fox
Reply to Dylan Pacetti
2 years ago
your grandfather were the last two flight engineers to leave dong ba thin army air field .
1
Reply
Albert Gilliam
2 years ago
While stationed at Clark Air Base, Philippines 1969-70, I served in the 405th Fighter Wings’ 509th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron as the crew chief of an F-102a. I also served in the 523rd Tactical Fighter Squadron as the crew chief of an F-4d Phantom after the 509th disbanded. Both squadrons sent detachments in-country to Tainan Air Base, Taiwan, as well as to TDY stations in Thailand, etc. At the 523rd’s 24-7 Quick Reaction Alert “Hot Pad” in Taiwan, my Phantom was one-of-two armed with a 340 Kiloton B-61 Nuke, on five-minute alert. While serving at the 509th FIS QRA site, called Detachment-2, we were very close to the 523rd Hot Pad. We worked 16-hour days, without a hanger, very close to the end of the runway, which teamed with airplanes stacked up, coming and going. We patrolled Taiwan’s air space with two flights of two F-102’s daily, and we kept four more Deuces on five-minute and 15-minute alerts, keeping the MiGs away.
One day fog blanketed the land, grounding all aircraft. It was an excellent time to take a needed break, so another crew chief and I left our flight line for a stroll towards the end of the runway. There, we heard the rumbling roar of a sizeable prop-driven aircraft, but we could not see it. Even the direction it approached from was confusing. Suddenly, a wing-tip dipped out of the fog, nearly scraping the tarmac, coming at as fast, but at a right angle to the runway. We hit the deck, and the wingtip narrowly passed right over. If standing, the Grim Reaper’s Seigh would have taken us out. The prop wash dispersed the trailing fog, and then we saw a C-7 Caribou with gear down, the skilled pilot making a radical left bank maneuver. The wheels touched down just as the wings went horizontal; then, the Caribou immediately disappeared into the fog. I want to contact anyone serving at the 523rd’s QRA Hot Pad or in the 509th Fis Squadron, circa 1968-1971. We pulled our Nukes out of Taiwan a few days ahead of President Nixon’s 1972 visit with Chairman Mao,
Reply
Stephen Atwood
3 years ago
If I understand this article, that this was the only Caribou at Cam Rahn Bay, then this plane took me and others to our duty station at An Khe in March 1969. It was noisy but made the trip.
Reply
Jim Biggie
3 years ago
My name is Jim Biggie. I was a crew chief in the 493rd at Cam Rahn. About 1970. Looking for anyone that worked with me. 4408th CCTS C123k at Lockbourne AFB before that.
Reply
John Record
3 years ago
My first two times under rocket attack, I was pre-flighting Bou 9760 on spot Papa 5 on the nights of May 8 and May 12, 1970. When the C-7a Caribou Association had its reunion in 2012, we went to the museum at Dover Air Force Base to see Bou 9760. I had to explain my relationship and memories of the “Blue-Tailed Gal” to my wife. It was truly nice seeing her again. “Bou Boy Forever” Proud to be a Blue-Tail lover. Oh, to be young again!
SGT. John Record, 457 T.A.S., Cam Ranh, March, 1970, to March, 1971. Crew Chief KA-62-4163
Reply
Jim Biggie
Reply to John Record
3 years ago
Hi,
I’m Jim Biggie. I was a caribou crew chief at Cam Ranh about the same time. Got sent home after a out 7 months for dependent health crisis. I don’t remember much but trying to locate anyone who worked with me.
Jim
Reply
Gordon Keith Rhymes
3 years ago
I ran into an old vet, Caribou crew member the other day said he was in a flight of 21 Caribou that flew from the US to Vietnam in the early sixties. Wish I’d had more time and wish I’d gotten his contact info. What he told me was a fascinating story and I’d like to hear more. This sounds like it could be a good book or at least a good story for the VVA Veteran Mag or Vietnam Magazine.
I am a Vietnam vet with two tours. Love hearing fellow vets stories.
Reply
Frank Stipech
3 years ago
My brother, LTC Edward F. Stipech (then a Major) was one of the last company commanders of an Army Caribou company and trained Air Force pilots when they took over the aircraft in 1967. There was a big battle over this A/C in the halls of the Pentagon in 1966 as the Air Force had it’s nose out of joint because the Army was flying missions with this A/C which the Air Force said they should be flying. The agreement that resulted was that the Army would give up the Caribou but would have unlimited/unrestricted use of helicopters. As history records, the Army made the most of that agreement made the helicopter role into what it is today.
Reply
MICHAEL D. SCOTT
3 years ago
I was an Aircraft airframe repairman, AFSC 53450 ,Airman A1C ,and was assigned to the 483rd attached to the 535th and 536th TAC ALFT SQDN’s at VUNG TAU and worked those most all of the C-7A’s that were attached. Fixed mostly ground fire damage and cargo doors and related structures due to Pallet extractions. I was assigned to VUNG TAU from Dec 1966 to Aug 1967.
Reply
Robert W. Street Jr.
3 years ago
I was a dispatcher for the 457th TAS, from Nov 69 to mid 1970. Transferred to 483rd TAW til Nov 70. Was tdy to Can Tho for a month in early 70. Flew several times on the C-7 ” Blue Tails” as an acm, Loved the airplane. Not sure if I ever flew on 63-9760. Visited the museum and 9760 a few years ago. What a beautiful restoration.
Reply
Ray Milligan
4 years ago
SGT Ray Milligan ACFT Mechanic , Phu-cat C-7’s, 70-71
Reply
Stanley Bixler
4 years ago
I was a SSgt stationed at Cam Rahn Bay AB, Vietnam from October 66 to September 67. I was one of the four original enlisted sent from the 6252 Operations Sq, Tan Son Nhut AB Vietnam (holding squadron for personnel arriving for follow on assignment to man the new wing and squadrons when the AF took possession of the C7A from the US Army on January 1, 1967) to Cam Rahn to occupy the new headquarters building. The first Commander of the 483TCW was Colonel Paul Mascot and the Vice Commander was Ralph Bullock. I spent my tour providing direct admin support to both the commander and vice commander.
Reply
Mike Shockley
4 years ago
I was in the 483 from Jan thru dec 68. Does anybody remember a C7A coming in with only the front wheel down, the pilot managed to land the plane with only small damage to the plane. If it wasn’t for Tet it would have been great duty.
Reply
Dave
Reply to Mike Shockley
3 years ago
There was a plane that landed with the gear up in 68. It had just come out of the phase dock and was on a shake down flight. Someone in the dock had the plane on jacks to repair some linkage. When it was reassembled they had the linkage on wrong. The gear went up ok but wouldn’t come down on the one side. When the plane was coming in for landing one gear only extended half way and locked. They tried to get it down but it was stuck half way. Eventually they landed with the gear up on a foamed runway.
Reply
Gerald Wiegand (Wiegy)
4 years ago
While stationed in Dau Tieng in early 1967, I was performing my MP duties guarding our very short secondary airstrip when a Caribou landed in strong headwind in about 30 feet touch to stop. I was amazed. It was from then on my favorite aircraft.
Reply
Jackie Shield Lauer
4 years ago
My father Capt John C. Shield flew this plane in Cam Rahn Bay 69-70. I just found two letters that he had written to my sister and I when he was in Vietnam! We are planning on taking dad to the museum in Dover on Saturday October 12, 2019.
Reply
Jkm
Reply to Jackie Shield Lauer
4 years ago
Could a C7a Caribou restart its engines without ground power?
I remember C-130s had to keep engines running at small air fields?
Jim
Duong Dong Air Station
Phu Quoc island
Vietnam 68-69
Reply
charles sitzenstock
Reply to Jkm
4 years ago
Yes the C-7 could start their engines off the battery buss and did so at many stops to forward fire bases and where Ground power was not available. From November 1968 to Dec 1968 I was a Flight Engineer stationed at Phu Cat Air Base in I Corp where we had 15 Caribou. We lost many aircraft and aircrew (stationed at Phu Cat, Saigon, Da Nang, and Voung tou)
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Reply
Russell L. Etchberger
Reply to charles sitzenstock
2 years ago
There is a really nice memorial to C-7A Caribou crew members that lost their lives in Vietnam (enlisted and officer) – Gunter AFS, next to SRNCO Academy Montgomery, AL.
Reply
Sabrina Lawrence
Reply to Russell L. Etchberger
2 years ago
Hi Russell – Joe Tedeschi just wrote a book A Rock in the Clouds he was a survivor of that crash – he’s a friend of my parents and family and my brother Lt. Col John Spahr who died in Iraq. Wondering if you have any idea on how I can get a copy of the plaque in front of the plane – I think Joe would appreciate memorial I just can’t figure out how to get a copy of that I wanted to get a copy of that plaque that I see in front of the Caribou and give it to him October 16 he’s having a little book launch and all the proceeds are going to the Vietnam veterans memorial wall in DC.
Reply
Russell L. Etchberger
Reply to charles sitzenstock
2 years ago
I was assigned to the Triple Nickel RED HORSE Unit at Cam Rahn 66-67. Hitched a ride on a C-7A to visit my brother-in-law at his U.S. Army artillery position in the Mekong Delta area not far from Tan Son Nhut.
Sat with my face in my helmet on bumpy return trip thinking I would lose my lunch (greasy BLT) I ate at TSN.
Liked to see the hatch open and a head pop up while taxiing = same as C-124 Globemaster resupply acft at remote sites in AK.
Reply
David Palo
Reply to Jkm
4 years ago
You bet she could, it had electric starters powered by the DC battery buss. SSGT D.palo 42350
Reply
Chris Griffiths
4 years ago
My late father was a radio technician with the Royal Australian Air Force, RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam (RTFV) flying DHC-4 (C-7) Caribou from Vung Tau in 1964-65.
I have a newspaper clipping of him discussing avionics repairs with a Sergeant Charles Ford of the U.S. Army
Reply
Alan hecker
5 years ago
My best friend put the spark plugs in the last Caribou at Camron Bay to be flown to a museum in Ohio, we were supposed to go visit that on our bucket list but he passed away , his name was Robbie Robberson served 1968 1969 United states air force hoping somebody knows what museum Caribou flew to
Reply
Dave
Reply to Alan hecker
1 year ago
There’s a really nice one at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton.
Reply
Chris Harney
5 years ago
My Dad was in the Air Force 64′-68′ and was assigned to the base at An Khe (437th TCS) to facilitate the transfer of the caribous from the Army to the Air Force. He was there Fall of 66′-winter 67′.
I’ve got pictures of one of the planes he was in. They had to make a belly landing when the landing gear malfunctioned. Nose number 170
1
Reply
Danny (Corky) Corchero
Reply to Chris Harney
1 year ago
I was at Qui Nhon and Phu Cat from Oct 1966 til Oct 1967. I saw Number 170 come in to our dirt runway, and still have a picture of it after it landed.
Reply
Melvin “Charlie” Steadman
5 years ago
I was a USAF 834th Air Division TALO/TALA (Tactical Airlift Liasson Officer/Airman) attached to the 9th Infantry Division at Bearcat RVN. Our daily support for airlifting troops and supplies to forward bases at Dong Tam and Tan An was provided by C-7A aircraft from Vong Tau (535/536 TAS). During TET 1968 I sometimes had to “borrow” aircraft from other units to meet mission requirements. A special thanks to the 9th Inf Div for providing airtight security around my dirt patch.
Later in my career flew as a radio operator on EC-135C/L, E-4A/B, C-135B, and VC-9C.
Still have a warm spot for the Caribou. Best job I ever had. Can’t say much for the location!
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J M Kinsey
5 years ago
My first jumpmaster duty after the jm course was a C-7 about 1979. I was with 10SFG out of Ft Devens. A wing or squadron of NG C7 pilots needed airborne missions so we were busy putting a few troopers into dropzones in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
It was a pretty good experience for my first time jumpmastering.
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Robert Kraft
5 years ago
I was on a “Caribou” for a flight from an airbase somewhere near Fort Myer, VA where I was stationed, to Fort Bragg , North Carolina. I was a member of an Army dance band that was being flown to play at an officer’s club for some special occasion. On the return trip, I was not feeling very well and I knew I was going to be airsick, so I asked the co-pilot, who was looking out the side windows to check on the engines, where the airsickness bags were located. The band was split between two planes and his reply was that all of the airsickness bags were all on the other plane. I told him that he’d better find something for me really quick or he’d have a mess to clean up later. A minute later I saw him walk from the cockpit through the plane carrying a 2 pound coffee can filled with cigarette butts. He calmly walked to the rear, opened up the “jump ramp” enough that he could dump the can’s contents into the slipstream and then handed the can to me —- JUST in time ! The plane ride was so rough that I kept banging the bridge of my nose on its edge and it was sore for days ! One of my friends, an alto sax player, told me a few days later that the only thing that kept him from being as airsick as I was was the fact that I had the ONLY coffee can !! Those were the days !!!
Reply
Carol Daniell
Reply to Robert Kraft
1 year ago
I threw up on one of those planes too. My parents and I flew from Bangkok to Chang Mai for a little vacation. I was SO nauseated. There was a soldier sitting next to me against the wall, He held a vomit bag for me while I puked. It was pretty embarrassing for a seventeen year old girl. I must have made a good impression on him, though. When I felt better, he asked me for a date. I introduced him to my parents and they said it would be ok. He was a perfect gentleman.
Reply
Bennie E Hudson
5 years ago
Why is there never anything mentioned on the 483rd TAWG-Combat Crew Training School (CCTS)-Forward Operating Location (FOL) C7A (October 1971 – August 1972) @ Phang Rang US AB (3 mos.) and then we were relocated to Phu Cat AB (8 mos.), about conducting training from day 1 to completion, of the South Vietnamese Pilots & Co-Pilots, trained to fly the C7A in country by American Pilots vs. it all being done in Dyess AB, TX.? We also did regular US Re-Supply & Troop sorties, to all types of US Firebases, during this training, at the same time!
Lt. Col. Ferguson (8) mos. and Lt. Col. Caudle (3 mos.), were our commanders during this time of the 483rd TAWG-CCTS- FOL. We had very sharp Pilots, Operation Staff and a cracker box group of Maintenance & Support personnel, second to none. At Phu Cat AB, we were on an “all South Vietnamese” ran airbase. There was a group of US Army Advisory Team personnel and other advisors @ Phu Cat AB, totaling about 250, plus, our 85 from the 483rd TAWG-CCTS-FOL, assigned from the 483rd TAWG C7A wing out of Cam Ranh Bay AB.
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Thach T. Trinh
Reply to Bennie E Hudson
4 years ago
I was there, Phucat AFB, from Apr.1972-Sept.1972 right after I left Keesler AFB, MS ( 3389th.) I was very fortunate to be trained by many Great American Pilots! It was fun to fly this amazing airplane…We practiced many 360 degree landings ( 1500 RPM, 15″ MP) at different type of very short runway.
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Dave Dudzik
5 years ago
I got to Cam Ranh July 67 to 68. Started in docks then got transfered to Red Tail 458. It was my first base out of school. It was a easy plane to maintain . The only job I hated was changing that deicer boot on wing. Must have been half a million screws holding it on.
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Larry Sullivan
5 years ago
Was part of the crew that got the caribous ready for check flights FCF after coming out of the docks at Cam Ranh 70-71. Worked under CMSGT Brady, great man. Also did TDY in Can Tho. Great plane but hated working on those aug-tubes.
Reply
douglascannaday@yahoo.com
Reply to Larry Sullivan
3 years ago
I remember Chief Brady. I worked C7A dock maintenance at Cam Ranh1971.
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Duane Strickland
5 years ago
I was a loadmaster at Cam Ranh Bay in 1969. I left Dec 24 and was discharged.
Reply
David Rice
6 years ago
In Fall 1967, I remember reading a Stars and Stripes article about a C-7A clipping the top of a tree during a short field takeoff, and flying back to Saigon with the tree stuck in his right wing. Anybody remember that?
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Jerryl F. Hyche
6 years ago
I qualified as a jumpmaster on a C7A out of Maxwell AFB in 1982. Aircraft was assigned to the 20th SFGA at this time.
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Beth Meader
6 years ago
My father, Lt Col Merten L Meader also flew the C7 out of Cam Ranh Bay in 70/71. If anyone remembers him I’d love to hear from you. He only told me two stories about flying. One was while he was flying he had his arm out the window and was looking down and saw a man in black pajamas. The man stated to shoot so he got out of there. The other story made him upset because he was on a mission with supplies for the troops. But when they got there, there was no sign of them. He circled and continued to look but never found them. He never knew what happened. My mother, brother and I accompanied him to his flight training in Abilene, TX. Thank you to all for your service.
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William P Lowe
Reply to Beth Meader
4 years ago
thanks great life (story) sounded like a great man … God Bless
Reply
jerry becker
Reply to Beth Meader
4 years ago
My arrival in country was at Cam Ranh Bay in September of ’70 and it was a stopover for me on my way to my permanent assignment at Phu Cat AB. As there was no room available at the temp quarters we had to sleep in the air terminal while waiting for a flight out to Phu Cat. That flight was to be on a C130 and was then looking like a 5 day wait.
On the evening of our third day there we were given word that a C7 that had arrived earlier that morning was reloaded with mail and supplies headed for Pleiku but had room for about 10 passengers and could be rerouted with a stop at Phu Cat. Only drawback was that we had to be strapped to the floor but after 3 days with very little sleep I didn’t care.
Don’t remember the pilots name except he was a light bird, had a mustache and a great sense of humor. I also heard from the loadmaster as he strapped us in that that flight wasn’t supposed to leave until the next evening but the colonel stepped in. Another feature I remember is that upon takeoff the floor that we were sitting on was opened and remained open for the first 5 or 10 minutes of the flight. What a trip! I am still greatfull for that pilot stepping up like that.
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Tom Maddox
6 years ago
I was involved in an Army (QM petrolum unit from Ft Campbell,Ky)-Air Force competive test at the Donaldson Air Force Base, Greenville, SC in 1963. At that time the Caribou was a Army unit & it was our understanding the test was with an Air Force competive type unit.
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Warren Searls
6 years ago
I flew as Aircraft Commander on 63-9760 on a TDY assignment in Sept 10-12 out of Bien Hoa then back to Cam Ranh Bay AB on the 12th. On one of those short hops I was on my way to Can Tho flying low over the Mekong Delta when I spotted Can Tho airfield just on the otherside of a towering thunderhead. Going around would have taken a long time so I decided to duck under the thunderhead. I dropped to about 100 feet above the rice paddy and started under when the plane got hit with a downpour. Both engines quit with a row of 80 foot trees in front of me. Instinctively I reached up and hit the alternate air switches and both engines caught immediately. Total time without power must have at least one second, maybe almost two. Lesson learned: don’t fly under thunderheads with heavy rain! Unless of course you switch to “alternate air” first.
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Mark Gilbert
6 years ago
I am a Senior Technical Writer for Bombardier Aerospace (formally de Havilland Canada) in Toronto where the Caribou was manufactured. I had the pleasure of visiting the museum while in the Dover area on business many years back and I spent a pleasant afternoon with Col Hardie while he related his experiences with 63-9760. Congratulations on such a fantastic display of aircraft and all the best to all of you.
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Larry Alten 1969 535th & 1971 457th
6 years ago
For those of you who are not familiar with the C-7A Caribou association, you are eligible to join if you were flight crew or maintenance. There is a yearly reunion. Check out their website for more information.
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KEN JONES
7 years ago
I quite likely launched and recovered this bird at Cam Ranh Bay as both of us arrived there about the same time (March 1970). I was a recip. mechanic and we spent a lot of time on the ramp readying the Caribou for its next mission. The augmenter tubes were always cracked and filthy dirty ~ we had to remove and clean them thoroughly before sending them off to the weld shop for repair.
One morning as the flight crew was boarding the aircraft they spotted a field mouse as it scampered up into the tail section of the fuselage. My buddy grabbed the fire ax and I a broom ~ we corralled the mouse with the broom and my compadre squashed it with the ax. He grabbed the mouse by the tail and escorted him off the aircraft ~ the flight crew jumped on board and away they went. Just another day on the ramp at “Caribou Bay.”
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John McDowell
7 years ago
My Father, Maj. (at the time) John W McDowell flew these out of Cam Ranh Bay in 69-70. would love pictures of him if anyone remembers him or stories. Thanks for everyone’s service. You are all heroes!
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Sgt. Ray Johnson
7 years ago
I have noticed that the HF long-wire antenna is missing. Also, the radar display that resides in the forward center console is not Vietnam era. I was an avionics technician assigned to the 483rd between 1970 and 1971.
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Kenneth D Bryant
Reply to Sgt. Ray Johnson
4 years ago
Sgt Johnson, I got to Cam Ranh Bay in September 1971 until we closed CRB and March 1972 moved to Phu Cat assigned to the VNAF AFAT2 Det 3 until Oct ’72… 760 was one of my favorite to work on, I was Comm/Nav RADAR and that aircraft did have the Collins Color Weather RADAR. The only units in the system were the display and in the radome the R/T unit and Antenna. It was a really sweet system. I remember one flight up at Phu Cat went we took several rounds of ground fire and the Radar Display flashed bright green and died. As soon as we landed I opened up the radome and there were bullet holes in the bottom of the mount and of the R/T. I took it out and into the shop. There was only one circuit board in the unit and one of the bullets split the board and blew all the components off the board. Anyway, not all C-7As had the RADAR but after 1970 some did and it worked well for weather.
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Joe Bonneville
7 years ago
I worked on the C7A at Seward AFB. We took them over from the Army in 1966 at Ft Benning GA. We move them to Seward AFB in Dec 66 and Jan 67. Worked in aircraft structural repair till March of 1968. Then assigned to 9th Air Commando squadron and name changed to 9th SOS in Nha Trang Vietnam working on the O2B Cessna push pull twin tail. Psychological war fare unit. I loved that C7A. It was a cool aircraft.
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John H. Bell
7 years ago
June 16, 2016 John H. Bell
I happened to be browsing thru the Caribou Association web site and clicked on the Caribou on display at the Air Mobility Museum, Tail Number 63-9760. I was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay AB, Viet Nam from August 1959 to August 1970. I perused my old Form 5, Flight Time folder, and confirmed that I had flown that aircraft several times during my tour of duty. A couple of times it must have been for a Test Hop for change of engine, propeller or other flight check requirement, because they were short flights – about half an hour, and I was in a check flight status while there. I also noted that there were some of the regular combat airlift missions also. My sincere thanks to the Crew Chiefs and others for maintaining a great plane!
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S/Sgt. C.L. Cook (Cooky)
7 years ago
When I arrived in Cam Ranh Bay from aircraft familiarization at Fort Benning, I was assigned as Crew Chief to C7A Blue Tail 63-9760. I remained Crew Chief until I was assigned Flight Line Maint. coordinator in the Blue bread truck, coordinating with Rainbow Dispatcher. I left Nam for the world, just as the 1968 TET offensive was formulating. Proud to have served in some pretty remote spots in the Highlands, taken along on some of these missions, in the event of immediate unforeseen problems or ground maintenance needs.
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Clyde s Duke
8 years ago
I was an engine mechanic on the C7 caribou in Cam Ranh Bay 68 69 and loved it!
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John Jesse Patterson
Reply to Clyde s Duke
7 years ago
My dad was in the 537th tactical squadron he worked on them he was a staff sergeant in the usaf his name was Byrd D Patterson Sonny was one of his nicknames maybe u served with him thanks
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Dave Freshly
Reply to John Jesse Patterson
2 years ago
I went through basic training and tech school with your father. We both got stationed in Vietnam at the same time but I was in the 457th at Cam Rahn Bay. We were in the same dorms while in school. I remember him well. He was a great guy. I understand that he has passed away.
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John Jesse Patterson
Reply to Clyde s Duke
7 years ago
My dad was a aircraft mechanic he worked on them 2 he was in the 537th tas maybe u served with him
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Bruce Siemering
8 years ago
My father, now 80 yrs young, flew one of these in Korea. He would love to go up in a C7 again even as a passenger. Does anyone know where this could happen?
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Emily
Reply to Bruce Siemering
8 years ago
My grandfather flew on one. I’d love to get him back on it, too!
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Jim Biggieb
8 years ago
I was the crew chief on 669. Red tail . Gotta love changing a cracked Aug Tube. Yuk
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douglascannaday@yahoo.com
Reply to Jim Biggieb
3 years ago
They were always cracked. Had to pull, clean and send to welding shop from phase docks. 1971
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Victor Sabala
8 years ago
I was the crew chief on red tail 145 68-69
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Rubén Omar Bueno
Reply to Victor Sabala
3 years ago
Un Transporte táctico capacidad S T O. L sirvió en Vietnam como un verdadero caballo de batalla . El venerable C-7 Caribou .
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