USN Vietnam Era Helicopter Pilots

[Maverickson]

In keeping with the spirit of Helicopter pilots in flight jackets, I recently came upon a slightly more modern, often overlooked but still a fine picture depicting my most favorite era of flight jackets. Although this picture seen below indicated that it was taken in 1965 those jackets seen here appear to be 7823 ( AER ) model jackets.

Initially, what drew me to this particular helicopter squadron and what precipitated me finding this photograph was it actively participated in many Vietnam SAR missions over North Vietnam and was directly associated picking up those many of those lost aviators with my late Father's combat tours.

Check out their SAR Combat portion of their website http://raunchyredskins.us/Operations/SAR%20Pix.htm. What strike me is that these same Vietnam era aviator's were still using those left over Victory pistols http://raunchyredskins.us/images/Squadr ... et%202.jpg used in both WW-2 and the Korean War.

I hope you enjoy!

Cheers, Dave

 

[capt71]

Great photo Dave--thanks for posting it. Beautiful jackets (wish I had one!!). Those chopper crews were true heroes in Vietnam, saving many lives with their search & rescue missions (and often getting their own a--es shot off while doing it)!
Bill

 

[watchmanjimg]

Excellent photos, Dave! As far as I know the Victory Model revolvers were standard issue right up to the adoption of the Beretta M9, and the transition wasn't completed until sometime after the Gulf War. A friend of mine flew Army choppers in that conflict and the butt of his Victory is clearly visible in a photo of him standing next to Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf.

 

[Peter Graham]

Excellent photos, Dave! As far as I know the Victory Model revolvers were standard issue right up to the adoption of the Beretta M9, and the transition wasn't completed until sometime after the Gulf War. A friend of mine flew Army choppers in that conflict and the butt of his Victory is clearly visible in a photo of him standing next to Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf.

Seriously ? That is one long service life for a weapon.

 

[watchmanjimg]

True, Peter, but then again they usually weren't shot much.

 

[Maverickson]

Great photo Dave--thanks for posting it. Beautiful jackets (wish I had one!!). Those chopper crews were true heroes in Vietnam, saving many lives with their search & rescue missions (and often getting their own a--es shot off while doing it)!
Bill

Hi Bill,

I might be wrong but I believe that the fellows standing to the left and right are probably wearing a Pritzker as those pockets look to be striaght across. However, the fellow seen centered is either wearing a California Sportswear or Ralf Edwards. To me, the give away is the angular pocket flaps but smaller collar.

Either way, in Vietnam as seen on this website http://raunchyredskins.us/squadronmates.htm HS-6 was a hard working & high decorated SAR group that when on line flew daily into harms way.

Cheers, Dave