pconrad02 Posted January 25, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 25, 2011 This one just cracked me up! Must be for the ultra secret Vietnam Balloon Corps or VBC...... http://cgi.ebay.com/Vietnam-Balloon-Pilot-...=item4aa7fdec47 Ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted January 25, 2011 Share #2 Posted January 25, 2011 This was a short lived unit, as their observation missions over Hanoi had less than acceptable results. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted January 25, 2011 Share #3 Posted January 25, 2011 To qualify for "Senior" Vietnam Balloon Pilot status, all you had to do was survive that first sortie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pconrad02 Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted January 25, 2011 :hapy0004: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pconrad02 Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted January 25, 2011 I cannot even imagine how rare the Command Vietnam Balloon Pilot wing must be then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted January 25, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 25, 2011 I believe the rank was created specially for Jane Fonda. A one way mission. Sabrejet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted January 25, 2011 Share #7 Posted January 25, 2011 What's even more rare is that gold quarter dollar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted January 26, 2011 Share #8 Posted January 26, 2011 Oh Brother! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PvtTamura Posted January 26, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 26, 2011 I must have it! I'll be the envy of everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosieres64 Posted January 26, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 26, 2011 :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armillary_journey Posted January 28, 2011 Share #11 Posted January 28, 2011 I can't be sure without seeing the back. :think: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawk3370 Posted January 30, 2011 Share #12 Posted January 30, 2011 This one just cracked me up! Must be for the ultra secret Vietnam Balloon Corps or VBC......http://cgi.ebay.com/Vietnam-Balloon-Pilot-...=item4aa7fdec47 Ok Ah yes, a very interesting piece of history, and one that brings a smile to ones face. But as mentioned by Kurt survival was a bummer. On that note it seems that I recall during the conflict there was a project that was being considered in which a balloon was actually attached to the ejection seat. This balloon would inflate upon ejection and keep the pilot airborne until a specially equipped C-130 could fly in and snatch the whole rig and pull it into the cargo bay of the C-130. Very similiar to the extraction system that we actually used in Special Forces where the C-130 would pick up a soldier who was setting at the end of a long rope connected to a balloon. I don't think the Navy version was ever used due to the high volumn of anti-aircraft fire over the target areas where the pilot would most likely bail out. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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