VNAF classes, Avord, France
Early VNAF training took place at AVORD in France. They flew Marcel-Dassault MD312 Flamants, a two-engined crew trainer. Some of these Flamants were delivered to the VNAF's 312th SMS. In the bottom row, third from the left: Nguyen Cao Ky, who will later become the VNAF's Air Marshall. He should have stayed away from the moustache (photo: Tuan Tonthat). Below the Nhatrang CIAVN insignia and early VNAF pilot's insignia (photos: Marcel Paquelier).
I received this e-mail from Marcel Paquelier, who was a flight-instructor and AVORD and Nha Trang in 1955/56:
Dear Leon,
Avord is the localisation of Base Ecole N° 702 (Flying school for twin-engine planes). This base is on center - France ..
No, I dont recognize nobody on your picture...What year? Avord?
Before stay at Avord, the pilot-students accomplished the training at Marrakech(Morocco) on T6: about 200 hours. At Avord, they flew 100/120 hours. Sometimes, the Asian students benefited from supplemental hours...
I teached a few classes with Asian students, but I dont remember who were... neither names or nationality. On my flght-books, I never registered the student's names . The pictures of awarding (wings) are sparse! I send to you a photo at Avord, about 1957, lilltle class mixed French and Asian (maybe Cambodian???) (I'm the smaller , on middle rear row...) (Photo: Marcel Paquelier)
A bientot,
Marcel
