A wonderful series of photos showing operations at the 211th Helicopter Squadron (or 215th, see comment below) base area at Tan Son Nhut air base in 1963 / 64. All photos on this page were taken in that time frame. The above photo is interesting in that it shows an H-19B silhouette painted on the 215th HS area gate. Until now it was believed only the 1st (which by this time was redesignated to 211th) Helicopter Squadron operated H-19s, the 213th and 215th being given H-34 Choctaws on activation. Whether or not this sign is authorative proof that the 215th did in fact fly H-19s remains to be seen. It does however raise the question if this was the 211th or the 215th base area. If it's the latter, this means recorded VNAF history has been wrong in this recpect, and the 215th did at one point in time have H-19s assigned to it.
Above, one H-19B and several VNAF H-34s can be seen on the ramp. The H-19B still wears USAF insignia, but is in fact a VNAF machine that has yet to have the insignia replaced.
Above a fantastic shot of a crisp looking overall gray H-19B s/n 53-4454. These very rare photos provide a nice study of the variations in markings on VNAF aircraft. You can see how 53-4454 ended up being canibalized for spares in the shot below. This was after a crash due to engine failure.
Above another great shot of H-19B 53-4454 being prepared for flight. All VNAF H-19Bs were put into flyable storage in 1964 behind the facilities in the photos. The H-19 lacked in performance, and the H-34s were favored by the crews.
The above H-19B appears to be overall silver, and is most likely one of the originally French AF H-19s that were given to the VNAF in 1956.
Above and below two photos taken in 1964 during the graduation of one class of VNAF pilots and mechanics who had succesfully completed the H-19 training syllabus. In total, 95 pilots and 92 mechanics completed training in 1963 / 64 in various classes.
Aerial views over Tan Son Nhut. In the photo above USAF F-101Cs, B-57Bs, a US Army C-7A Caribou and DHC-3 Otter can be seen. Below VNAF C-47s and one single O-1 Bird Dog, and US Army UH-1Bs and H-21Cs are identifialble.
