Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)Intl (VVTS/SGN) May 1, 2013

[Trabanti]

Pictured during taxiing and later identified from the small screen:

An26:
239
248
267
285 (std)
286
287
289

Mi8, green camo:
2949?

Mi17, blue/white (Khuong Quan Viet Nam):
7836
8423
8431
92101

M171, yellow/blue (Khuong Quan Viet Nam):
09? +1

UH-1, green camo:
.0908 +5 (all wfu)
2x (operational)

Mi24A:
7427 +3 (all wfu)

There were some more An26's, an operational An28 as well as some more Hips, both wfu and operaional, mostly in green camo. I will go back to Saigon in a few weeks, maybe some updates then.

Does anyone know if the old storage line which still shows some former US C-130's on GE (behind GA area, south of mil platforms) is still there and can be seen from outside?

Cheers, Bart

[Le Addeur noir]

Pictured during taxiing and later identified from the small screen:

An26:
239
248
267
285 (std)
286
287
289

Mi8, green camo:
2949?

Mi17, blue/white (Khuong Quan Viet Nam):
7836
8423
8431
92101

M171, yellow/blue (Khuong Quan Viet Nam):
09? +1

UH-1, green camo:
.0908 +5 (all wfu)
2x (operational)

Hopefully I will be able to identify a few more when I am home. One Hind of a line of 4 Mi24A's was easily read as well, but I did not bring that serial to this internet cafe, will add later. There were some more An26's, an operational An28 as well as some more Hips, both wfu and operaional, mostly in green camo. I will go back to Saigon in a few weeks, maybe some updates then.

Does anyone know if the old storage line which still shows some former US C-130's on GE (behind GA area, south of mil platforms) is still there and can be seen from outside?

Cheers, Bart

Apparently the C-130s can be seen from outside,but there's some soldiers stationed nearby,so caution is advised.Some serials were recently identified by someone based in a nearby counrty.

[Kirsty BKK]

The derelict former South Vietnam Air Force aircraft are:

002 Lockheed C-130A (ex 56-0519)
001 Lockheed C-130A (ex 55-0001) Coded GZB
005 Lockheed C-130A (ex 56-0476) Coded HCI
003 Lockheed C-130A (ex 55-0005) Coded SG

53-7850 Fairchild AC-119K

And a Boeing-Vertol CH-47A believed to be 085 (ex 66-00085). I couldn't confirm this latter one.

I went on Christmas Day 2012 and just marched straight up to the Security Guards and said "I'm not a spy and can I look at them" pointing at the Hercs. I was wearing a nice twirly whirly skirt which might have helped. They let me wander into the factory carpark next to the security gate and have a good look with my bins. Eventually a factory security guy asked me to move on but I had got all I could by then. What a joy to see the AC-119K, memories of Pisa in the 1970s.

I'm still trying to identify an Antonov An-26 which had the tail and outter wings removed and was parked next to VN-B376/VN-B378

Kirsty

[Optimus]

I was wearing a nice twirly whirly skirt which might have helped. They let me wander into the factory carpark next to the security gate and have a good look with my bins. Eventually a factory security guy asked me to move on but I had got all I could by then. What a joy to see the AC-119K, memories of Pisa in the 1970s.

That is smart, however I think that 99% of the spotter population being male, most of them wouldn't look too good wearing a skirt and cross-dressing is probably not understood around most airbases . Besides that, I would have to buy a fancy handbag too, because I wouldn't know where to put my logbook

Cheers,

Kees

[Trabanti]

There are multiple rooftop spots and bars that have interesting views over the runways and/or platforms, but not on the old VNAF/US storage line as far as I know. Hopefully next time more chances to scout them out. That AC-119 is a must-see..

PS Start of construction of Long Thanh airport will commence in 2015. The first international flights will be accepted from 2020 (current planning). Tan Son Nhat will remain the domestic airport for HCMC (plus airforce I assume) so expect nice long taxi rides through Saigon after a nice long flight with stopover(s) if you are heading to another destination in Vietnam, great..

[Le Addeur noir]

Saturday 14th December visitor,

98-0002 C-32A 1st AS 89th AW SAM600

Arrived with US Secretary od State John Kerry on board.