In the later 1950s PBYs could be seen flying over the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) on water-drop operations fighting brush fires in the mountains surrounding Los Angeles.

Written on 2019年 09月 27日

In 1970-1971 I was a US Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer building projects for the South Vietnamese Army at remote locations in the Central Highlands.
I was flown from one project location to another on a weekly basis by Continental Air Service (kind of like the better known Air America operation). The aircraft was usually a Beechcraft Barron. Sometimes when STOL was required, I was flown in a Do-28.
Not only did it look very odd from the outside but sitting inside in the right seat looking out over the engine pods at the mountains/forest/jungle below was unique. Usually a fun ride taking off and landing. Two engines was reassuring.

Written on 2019年 09月 27日

In the late 1960s and early 1970s in Vietnam and elsewhere in SE Asia, Continental Air Service operated a fleet of aircraft serving various US government agencies (not as dodgy as Air America). They had a C-46 several C-47s, Dornier STOL, SkyVan, and a couple of Beechcraft Barons. I was a Navy construction officer with projects at remote sites all around the Vietnam Central Highlands building facilities for the Vietnamese Army. I was usually flown around to my job sites in one of the Barons but at one time or another I rode in all the others... except the C-46. I regret not getting a ride in it. In my command, because of its shape, it was referred to as the "flying football."

Written on 2019年 09月 13日

Oui

Written on 2019年 03月 15日