1972 The remains of a rocket that landed beside RNZAF Bristol Freighter NZ5912 at Tan Son Nhut, Saigon, South Vietnam, 6 Dec 1972.
A change of Government in NZ in the November elections brought about a change of policy in South-East Asia. As a result, six Vietnam schedules by 41 Sqn aircraft were carried out to withdraw the NZ Army training teams based there, this task being essentially completed by 20 Dec.
However the withdrawal of troops did not come before F/O Watson and crew were startled at Tan Son Nhut Airport by a rocket attack. Some 30 minutes before they were due to take off, the attack commenced and although the crew were unharmed the aircraft had a close shave. A 122 mm rocket shell bounced off a taxi-way about 30 metres from the aircraft and came to rest on an adjacent revetment. Other rockets exploding in the area caused some minor superficial damage to the aircraft, but fortunately no serious damage was sustained.
41 Sqn Unit History, Dec 1972
Crew:
F/L Keith Skilling, Pilot
F/O Bruce Watson, Pilot
F/O Dave Sapwell
M/AEOP Wally Craig
F/S Tom Riddell
Cpl Jim Duncan
Cpl Colin Creighton
LAC Stan Hay
LAC Pat Vuletta
Route:
4 Dec 1972 Tengah - Butterworth - Saigon
5 Dec 1972 Saigon - Qui Nhon - Nha Trang - Saigon
6 Dec 1972 Saigon - Can Tho - Tengah
Keith Skilling comments:
"December 1972. Having breakfast at Tan Son Nhut and a big black guy came running in yelling "incoming". We didn't know what he meant but soon found out. A 122mm rocket attack, incredibly no shelters available so we hid under a table!! Lots of debris around the freighter and we had to sweep some off the wings.
The piece in the picture was lying beside NZ5912 and we brought it back to Tengah. It remained in the crew room until after I departed."
An account of this "not so typical" trip made to Vietnam in a RNZAF Bristol Freighter in Dec 1972 as recounted by Colin Creighton.
1972 The remains of a rocket that landed beside RNZAF Bristol Freighter NZ5912 at Tan Son Nhut, Saigon, South Vietnam, 6 Dec 1972.
A change of Government in NZ in the November elections brought about a change of policy in South-East Asia. As a result, six Vietnam schedules by 41 Sqn aircraft were carried out to withdraw the NZ Army training teams based there, this task being essentially completed by 20 Dec.
However the withdrawal of troops did not come before F/O Watson and crew were startled at Tan Son Nhut Airport by a rocket attack. Some 30 minutes before they were due to take off, the attack commenced and although the crew were unharmed the aircraft had a close shave. A 122 mm rocket shell bounced off a taxi-way about 30 metres from the aircraft and came to rest on an adjacent revetment. Other rockets exploding in the area caused some minor superficial damage to the aircraft, but fortunately no serious damage was sustained.
41 Sqn Unit History, Dec 1972
Crew:
F/L Keith Skilling, Pilot
F/O Bruce Watson, Pilot
F/O Dave Sapwell
M/AEOP Wally Craig
F/S Tom Riddell
Cpl Jim Duncan
Cpl Colin Creighton
LAC Stan Hay
LAC Pat Vuletta
Route:
4 Dec 1972 Tengah - Butterworth - Saigon
5 Dec 1972 Saigon - Qui Nhon - Nha Trang - Saigon
6 Dec 1972 Saigon - Can Tho - Tengah
Keith Skilling comments:
"December 1972. Having breakfast at Tan Son Nhut and a big black guy came running in yelling "incoming". We didn't know what he meant but soon found out. A 122mm rocket attack, incredibly no shelters available so we hid under a table!! Lots of debris around the freighter and we had to sweep some off the wings.
The piece in the picture was lying beside NZ5912 and we brought it back to Tengah. It remained in the crew room until after I departed."
An account of this "not so typical" trip made to Vietnam in a RNZAF Bristol Freighter in Dec 1972 as recounted by Colin Creighton.