Charlie Flick Posted November 5, 2021 Share #26 Posted November 5, 2021 Yes, a very cool pic. This being 1975 I wonder if it depicts one of the last days before the NVA showed up with the ARVN retreating in disarray and many in the South panicking. I think the revolver is more likely a .38 Special S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, a K-frame gun. That was the standard sidearm of the USAF at the time so it would not surprise me if VNAF personnel were so armed. Just as interesting is the tall, grey haired white guy with the Sansabelt pants and white shoes. He is dressed like Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack. Is he a diplomat, CIA, USAID or just some guy looking for directions to the golf course? He is walking next to a Vietnamese civilian with a Samsonite attache case that is overstuffed and bulging with ..... what? Cash? Gold? A Swedish K? This photo is sorta like a Rohrshach test. "I'm going to be showing you a series of photos and I want you to tell me the first thing that comes into your mind..." Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 7, 2021 Author Share #27 Posted November 7, 2021 On 11/5/2021 at 5:19 PM, Charlie Flick said: Yes, a very cool pic. This being 1975 I wonder if it depicts one of the last days before the NVA showed up with the ARVN retreating in disarray and many in the South panicking. I think the revolver is more likely a .38 Special S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, a K-frame gun. That was the standard sidearm of the USAF at the time so it would not surprise me if VNAF personnel were so armed. Just as interesting is the tall, grey haired white guy with the Sansabelt pants and white shoes. He is dressed like Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack. Is he a diplomat, CIA, USAID or just some guy looking for directions to the golf course? He is walking next to a Vietnamese civilian with a Samsonite attache case that is overstuffed and bulging with ..... what? Cash? Gold? A Swedish K? This photo is sorta like a Rohrshach test. "I'm going to be showing you a series of photos and I want you to tell me the first thing that comes into your mind..." Charlie Agree the revolver is a Model 15 Smith. Has that distinctive front site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 13, 2021 Author Share #28 Posted November 13, 2021 Nhieu from RT COLORADO PC: Frank Greco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 14, 2021 Author Share #29 Posted November 14, 2021 photo posted by member gunbarrel in a JPK topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 28, 2021 Author Share #30 Posted November 28, 2021 389 TFS, 366 TFW Vietnam 1966 - 67 (Thomas Cunningham) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor1941 Posted February 6, 2022 Share #31 Posted February 6, 2022 What a steal for a dollar! Great find! Best regards, Connor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 4, 2022 Author Share #32 Posted August 4, 2022 Forgot I had this picture in my collection. I met the vet in 1980-81. He sold me two sets of Tigers. Here hes wearing a set and also the vietnamese holster rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodymyster Posted August 4, 2022 Share #33 Posted August 4, 2022 4th Air Commando Squadron USAF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkALSE Posted August 4, 2022 Share #34 Posted August 4, 2022 All the guys in my fathers unit (Avn Plt HHC 1st Bde 101st Abn Div) had the same style local bought on Camp Eagle "cowboy" holsters. Had loops on the belt and holster body for extra rounds. Here are a couple shots of my father and then a cropped pic of another pilot in his unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted August 5, 2022 Share #35 Posted August 5, 2022 On 8/4/2022 at 2:54 PM, Woodymyster said: 4th Air Commando Squadron USAF Great image. I like that minigun. What do you think the aircraft is? An AC-130, AC-119 or something else? With that fuselage level it does not look like an AC-47. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted August 5, 2022 Share #36 Posted August 5, 2022 Another neat shot, mohawkALSE. Those Army aviators are probably carrying S&W Model 10, 4 inch, .38 Special revolvers. The Army did not get the M15s as the Air Force did. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodymyster Posted August 6, 2022 Share #37 Posted August 6, 2022 Here is a pic of an AC-47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodymyster Posted August 6, 2022 Share #38 Posted August 6, 2022 And although off topic, I like that pic I posted above of the air commandos for another reason. Look carefully at one of their name tags and USAF tags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted November 27, 2022 Share #39 Posted November 27, 2022 On 8/6/2022 at 3:41 AM, Woodymyster said: And although off topic, I like that pic I posted above of the air commandos for another reason. Look carefully at one of their name tags and USAF tags. Ops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMI88 Posted November 27, 2022 Share #40 Posted November 27, 2022 Great photos! Interesting that most of these are for the .38 revolver. That tracks with the holsters I've personally seen or owned - they all have cartridge loops for the .38 Special round, not the larger .45. The fact they were so popular with aviators probably has something to do with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 28, 2023 Author Share #41 Posted August 28, 2023 another VN holster seen worn by helicopter pilot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 3, 2023 Author Share #42 Posted October 3, 2023 Jerry Shriver 5th SFG MACVSOG CCs wearing a Browning HP in a Vietnamese made holster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron bender Posted October 4, 2023 Share #43 Posted October 4, 2023 Great pic Doyler. Looks like he's carrying AK mags in the m3 mag pouch. This is definitely an interesting pic study. I can point out lots of odds right off the bat. Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 15, 2023 Author Share #44 Posted December 15, 2023 Vietnamese made holster and belt with buck knife on keft side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted December 15, 2023 Share #45 Posted December 15, 2023 On 10/2/2023 at 9:41 PM, doyler said: Jerry Shriver 5th SFG MACVSOG CCs wearing a Browning HP in a Vietnamese made holster Special holster because Jerry was left-handed. I have the same problem. Very cool photo. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 21, 2023 Author Share #46 Posted December 21, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 4 Author Share #47 Posted March 4 Richard Hambley poses with a destroyed M-42 in Mang Yang Pass 1968 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted March 4 Share #48 Posted March 4 My buddy Larry, Cobra pilot, KIA November 1969 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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