For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

JG300-fr8ycat · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:22 pm Post subject: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

Going through a new crop of pics on the Lighthorse website and thought you guys might like these.

Greyhounds loading ARVNs 1967

Greyhounds

Fire Support Base

Doug_Kibbey · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

Many thanks, Richard!

Interesting how the ARVN's are all wearing distinctive scarves to identify themselves.

Enemy did a lot of that sort of thing, to avoid confusion between units.

JG300-fr8ycat · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

Doug_Kibbey wrote:

Interesting how the ARVN's are all wearing distinctive scarves to identify themselves.

Enemy did a lot of that sort of thing, to avoid confusion between units.

Glad you brought that up. I was wondering about what appeared to be yellow Cav scarves. Thought only the pilots and crew cheifs/gunners wore them.

Doug_Kibbey · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

Those top two pics are taken from almost the same point, some moments apart, judging by the treeline, vehicle position, and cloud cover that rolled in (or out, depending on which pic was taken first).

Possibly a two platoon lift or larger.

Doug_Kibbey · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:49 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

I see Rome Plows off in the left background. Firebase (and it likely is since I see tents in other shot) may be a recent build. Maybe temporary/rudimentary like an artillery raid to support this operation.

JG300-fr8ycat wrote:

Greyhounds

piney · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:30 am Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

Hi Doug

I have a question, if you know great, if not no biggie, what is the purpose and significance of the white rhomboib markings on the nearest huey?

Doug_Kibbey · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:54 am Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

piney wrote:

Hi Doug

I have a question, if you know great, if not no biggie, what is the purpose and significance of the white rhomboib markings on the nearest huey?

Richard may know more specifically at what level, but those would most likely be distinctive unit markings. Most units had some visual identifier even down to company/troop level that was readily visible and these took a variety of patterns.

For example, 2/17th Air Cav had bands around the tail booms in either black, red, white or blue for HQ flight platoon, A,B,and C Troops.

piney · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:40 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

Thanks, hadn't noticed them before and was just wondering

Doug_Kibbey · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 2:41 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

piney wrote:

Thanks, hadn't noticed them before and was just wondering

Have a look at this page, next to last bottom row of pictures, center picture.

www.vhpamuseum.org/9th...roop.shtml

A/1/9 Cav tac marking. Notice a cobra a row or two up has a yellow circle rather than yellow delta. Examples of the same thing. Important for identification among friendlies when multiple units are operating, flying formation, etc.

JG300-fr8ycat · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

Had to look up the "Greyhounds" since I've never heard of them before. As Kibbey said looks like their unit marking

It appears they were at Bear Cat the same time as 3/5 and both supported the 9th ID so having a distinguishing marking would make sense so you knew you were following the right group. Many D/3/5 Hueys had Cav stripes on the Horizontal stabs (and roofs) but I was told they were"Artistic" additions.

piney · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

speaking from a reference/history/ modelling viewpoint, has anyone cataloged these markings for posterity? If not they probably should be before memories fade, just a thought

Doug_Kibbey · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: For Kibbey, Helos & Armor

piney wrote:

speaking from a reference/history/ modelling viewpoint, has anyone cataloged these markings for posterity? If not they probably should be before memories fade, just a thought

Piney,
Well, there would be a LOT of them, since tac markings could be found down to Co. level at least (not all units or aircraft types carried them). Many of the detail books like Squadron, Osprey, etc. note them where they have clear pics and background info. Many of the units that have websites do as well. A good place to start, if you're looking for a project, is here:

www.vhpamuseum.org/def...menu.shtml

Drop down menus at left, and in the case of units, there are a lot of them. Not always with pics of unit birds, but often with links to last known website. "Google" is your friend for that as well, and you have to be creative with search terms where unit designators are involved.
Good hunting!