Historian John D. Marshall wrote, "History is shaped by the memories of those who witness it, and the intentions of those who record it." Vietnam veteran Hiawatha Oakes wrote, "I can't thank you enough for your efforts in obtaining a photo of my H-21, the 'Blue Angel', and having it in your book. My family calls your book, "lost pieces of treasures found." These two quotations represent all that is relevant to the author in history gathering: the hard work and its rewards. Here in Volume 2 one will find equally astonishing photos on par with Volume 1, together with some self-help and researched info for sure to tease and delight the aficionado or veteran to unknown degrees. Besides the 165 images, there are search aids for locating one's former in-country Army helicopter. A listing is available of American sites where Huey & Cobra rides are available. The Army museum in Alabama offers a listing they have compiled of two-dozen recommended Huey photo-books. A tabulation of 300 AH-1 Cobra war survivors, their former units, and present location. Also offered is a database of 500 newly found in-country Army helicopter names. There's a little something for everyone.

Like a fifty-year-old time capsule unearthed and opened for public display, this book unlocks a treasure trove of over 250 recently recovered Vietnam War photographs from veterans. These helicopter nose art photos capture that typical and distinctive American war custom of embellishing one's assigned aircraft with personalized markings.

In Vol. 2 there are astonishing photos on par with Vol. 1. Besides 165 images, there are search aids for locating former in-country Army helicopters. There is a list of 24 recommended Huey photo-books; a tabulation of 300 AH-1 Cobra war survivors, their former units, and present location, also a database of 500 in-country Army helicopter names.

Hundreds of unique color photos showing how soldiers decorated their helicopters during the Vietnam War.

• Hundreds of unique color photos showing how soldiers decorated their helicopters during the Vietnam War • Includes stories and anecdotes from pilots, crews, and artists, focusing on how helicopters got their names and how the artwork was created • Will appeal to Vietnam veterans, modelers, military and U.S. history buffs, and fans of modern American folk art and pop culture

Bell's AH-1 Cobra was the first dedicated helicopter gunship to reach frontline service anywhere in the world. Developed as a private venture by the manufacturer, and based on the mechanics of the ubiquitous UH-1 Huey, the Cobra proved a huge success once introduced into combat with the US Army in 1966. Built as a key weapon in the Advanced Aerial Fire Support System concept of 1965, the AH-1 was one of the few aircraft to reach the combat zone after actual combat experience went into its design. The AH-1 helped reduce the losses being suffered by vulnerable troop transport helicopters by providing effective fire suppression during airmobile operations. This book explores its history, technology and crew.

The personal naming of military aircraft in the Vietnam War is not unique in American history. What is unique is the near total lack of documentation of the existence of those names on in-country Army helicopters during the 1961-'73 conflict in S. E. Asia. This book remedies that once and for all! -Over 3,000 Army copter names cross-referenced by Unit -Details on Origin, Time Period, Location, Function, Type, Serial Number, Artist, Crew and more -More than 2,000 contributor names listed and cross-referenced -Perfect for veterans, hobbyists, historical researchers, KIA families, sociologists, aviation enthusiasts and students of Americana-just to name a few -Includes 40 rare photographs U.S. Army Helicopter Names in Vietnam provides an essential and heretofore missing puzzle piece in helping to identify and better understand our warrior brothers, fathers, uncles, sons and friends who manned these incredible flying machines in the skies of Vietnam.

Thud Pilot is the personal account of a combat fighter pilot who flew the Air Force's premier fighter-bomber in the most dangerous skies over North Vietnam. In the first five years of the Vietnam War, the F-105 Thunderchief conducted 75 percent of the Air Force bombing missions over North Vietnam. Thud Pilot tells the story of the courageous men who flew the F-105 from its earliest combat deployment in 1964, and on through 1966, the year of its heaviest losses. The author's more significant missions, including his ejection and rescue over North Vietnam are described in detail and are accompanied by map drawings depicting the mission routes from take-off to refueling orbits, the target, and return. The book is full of several 'firsts' in the expanding air war over North Vietnam, including 'Operation Spring High, ' the first counter Surface-to-Air-Missile (SAM) strike in the history of aerial warfare. The personal perspective from years of combat experience reveals just how the political mismanagement and inane Rules of Engagement made them as much the hunted as they were the hunters. Thud Pilot goes beyond the battle air space and shares the emotional impact on the families left behind.

Jerry Thigpen's study on the history of the Combat Talon is the first effort to tell the story of this wonderfully capable machine. This weapons system has performed virtually every imaginable tactical event in the spectrum of conflict and by any measure is the most versatile C-130 derivative ever produced. First modified and sent to Southeast Asia (SEA) in 1966 to replace theater unconventional warfare (UW) assets that were limited in both lift capability and speed the Talon I quickly adapted to theater UW tasking including infiltration and resupply and psychological warfare operations into North Vietnam. After spending four years in SEA and maturing into a highly respected UW weapons system the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) chose the Combat Talon to lead the night low-level raid on the North Vietnamese prison camp at Son Tay. Despite the outcome of the operation the Talon I cemented its reputation as the weapons system of choice for long-range clandestine operations. In the period following the Vietnam War United States Air Force (USAF) special operations gradually lost its political and financial support which was graphically demonstrated in the failed Desert One mission into Iran. Thanks to congressional supporters like Earl Hutto of Florida and Dan Daniel of Virginia funds for aircraft upgrades and military construction projects materialized to meet the ever-increasing threat to our nation. Under the leadership of such committed hard-driven officers as Brenci Uttaro Ferkes Meller and Thigpen the crew force became the most disciplined in our Air Force. It was capable of penetrating hostile airspace at night in a low-level mountainous environment covertly to execute any number of unconventional warfare missions.

Today's nose art has become the rule and not the exception throughout the bomber and tanker fores of Strategic Air Command, and although Tactical Air Command frowns on non-standard markings of any sort, several TAC gained Air National Guard units have artwork on their aircraft. Tradition plays a large part in modem nose art. As shown in Randy Walkers' new book cartoons and sexy ladies have returned. Names like "Memphis Belle", "Chow Hound" and "Maid in the USA", that once went to war on B-17s and B-24s are now carried by B-52s and FB-111s, as well as many other modem aircraft. This modem nose art is often applied by a professional artist, though it is sometimes painted by members of the unit, and in the process some excellent artwork has been created.