Why this site?

I remember that when I was a kid Vietnam was daily news, even here in the Netherlands. When the news would be on I would always watch, hoping to see aircraft. I was too young to realize that war is hell, and I only felt the false aura of excitement and romance that images of war can radiate to someone who doesn't know any better: a kid like me. Every now and then one of these very colorful VNAF planes showed up and I really liked them. I knew they were not American because of the 'wrong' national insignia. Later, in the 80's I wanted to know more, only to find that there was very little to be found about this subject. My fascination only grew more. In 1987, I found Robert Mikesh's book "VNAF - The Flying Dragons" in a local Dutch bookstore. I must have read it ten times over, forwards and backwards. When I got internet access in 1995 or so there was almost nothing about the VNAF on the net. I started a silly site with photos ripped from books and magazines and over the years it grew in to what it is now, and now I'm stuck with it ;o)

Short introduction to the VNAF

The VNAF (Viet Nam Air Force) was the air force of the Republic of Vietnam. The Republic of Vietnam was established in the southern part of Vietnam, together with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the northern part, after World War II. The Republic of Vietnam in the south ceased to exist on 30 April 1975, when the North Vietnamese Army entered Saigon. In its relatively short life (1951 to 1973) the VNAF grew from a few hand picked men, who were allowed to fly alongside French pilots, to the world's fourth largest air force when the VNAF was at the peak of it's growth in 1974, after the U.S. initiated projects Enhance and Enhance Plus.

Much has been covered about the Vietnam war in various media like books, movies and documentaries, but the VNAF is the odd one out. Nobody really knows what the VNAF incorporated. Most archives were lost in Vietnam after the war, and the information that is available, is inaccurate and, most of the time, incomplete.

The VNAF once was a significant and colorful fighting force that deserves to be remembered and studied. This site is intended for just that. It is also meant to be a tribute to the VNAF and to the men that were part of it. This site will never be a complete database, for much information is lost forever. But all bits and pieces will be combined here and this site just might grow into the most complete archive about the VNAF. Your help is needed and appreciated. Any kind of contribution is welcomed. Enjoy your stay.