I had a personal Chiefs Special When I was in the USN every time I came onboard I had to turn it in to the Chief gunners mate to be put in the armory. The only time they would release it to me is when we were in the US and if we did live fire at sea I could shoot it off the fantail.
Model 15 in Vietnam
- Thread starter JP@AK
- Start date
Attachments
F105 pilot with a snub brown? holster for a possible rare M13 alloy or an M56?
From: US Military Aviation - Flight Equipment
From: US Military Aviation - Flight Equipment
Attachments
I could be wrong about this but at time I was in RVn you had
to go to Povost Marshall and get release papers to bring home
weapons. I think if it wasn't a commie weapon, that was legal
to own you couldn't bring it home. The exception I think was
a gun you could produce a bill of sale for, from out of country.
Most guns that had gotten in outside of Military channels were
given or sold when guys were leaving RVN. Lots of handguns
made their way in with civilian contractors, shotguns were
bought in Japan by R&R guys. I think Officers had different
deal and could bring home anything that was legal as far as
NFA regulations. I know that a 25th infantry grunt came up
with a Drilling. I don't know where he got it but was told in
the field he wouldn't be able to take it home. Officer gave him
a few bucks for it. I'm willing to bet it's hanging over officers
mantel right now. If you managed to end up with a Chicom
pistol in the field you had best keep your mouth shut or it
would need to be sent "back" to be checked for intelligence
value and you would never see it again. I had a unauthorized
Thompson when in MR-1. When I was transferred to MR-2 a
MP at Plekui air field searched my dufflle bag and found it. He
took it off me. The only reason was he wanted it, I could tell
by his actions.
to go to Povost Marshall and get release papers to bring home
weapons. I think if it wasn't a commie weapon, that was legal
to own you couldn't bring it home. The exception I think was
a gun you could produce a bill of sale for, from out of country.
Most guns that had gotten in outside of Military channels were
given or sold when guys were leaving RVN. Lots of handguns
made their way in with civilian contractors, shotguns were
bought in Japan by R&R guys. I think Officers had different
deal and could bring home anything that was legal as far as
NFA regulations. I know that a 25th infantry grunt came up
with a Drilling. I don't know where he got it but was told in
the field he wouldn't be able to take it home. Officer gave him
a few bucks for it. I'm willing to bet it's hanging over officers
mantel right now. If you managed to end up with a Chicom
pistol in the field you had best keep your mouth shut or it
would need to be sent "back" to be checked for intelligence
value and you would never see it again. I had a unauthorized
Thompson when in MR-1. When I was transferred to MR-2 a
MP at Plekui air field searched my dufflle bag and found it. He
took it off me. The only reason was he wanted it, I could tell
by his actions.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
I was the war trophy authenticator for the 35TFW at Phan Rang AB in 70-71. The only restriction I had was no automatic weapons and no big stuff like howitzers, bazooka's, RPG, grenades.
I saw tons of Brownings, 1911s, SKS, and AK-47s. The AKs couldn't go unless you had paperwork saying they were going back to an organization the the Legion, museum, etc. Crossbows were fine.
I saw tons of Brownings, 1911s, SKS, and AK-47s. The AKs couldn't go unless you had paperwork saying they were going back to an organization the the Legion, museum, etc. Crossbows were fine.
Texas Star
US Veteran
For those who don't know, that's Col. Robin Olds. Note the star on the side of his Phantom: a MiG kill!
In the photo of the C-130 crew, one man wears eyeglasses. Odd for a flight crew.
As for the F-105 pilot, that may be a civilian holster. The gun is probably a Model 10 snub or a M-56. I think the light Aircrewman revolvers had all been withdrawn by the time of the Vietnam war.
No one in the know would want one, as the cylinders were too weak.
Last edited:
THE PILGRIM
Member
The F-105 Pilot is Capt. Gary Barnhill.
Taken Sep 1965, Takhli, Thailand.
Note the non-camo Thud and white helmet.
His survival vest is described as Korea War vintage with added pockets.
In one published account, his revolver is described as USAF issue lightweight Aircrewman 38 Special.
Most likely it was a short barrel Model 10.
We had a lot of those in 1965, the Lightweights were probably all gone.
Never saw a brown holster like that one.
But saw plenty of the Black ones that liked this one.
Taken Sep 1965, Takhli, Thailand.
Note the non-camo Thud and white helmet.
His survival vest is described as Korea War vintage with added pockets.
In one published account, his revolver is described as USAF issue lightweight Aircrewman 38 Special.
Most likely it was a short barrel Model 10.
We had a lot of those in 1965, the Lightweights were probably all gone.
Never saw a brown holster like that one.
But saw plenty of the Black ones that liked this one.
Attachments
Last edited:
montezumaz
US Veteran
He might have been the navigator.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Or one of the gun crew.
THE PILGRIM
Member
I hit the Thud Net( F-105) with the Thud picture.
Yes, it’s Gary Barnhill.
How can I be so sure?
Just Got an email from him.
He was TDY in Thailand from Wichita.
.
Yes, it’s Gary Barnhill.
How can I be so sure?
Just Got an email from him.
He was TDY in Thailand from Wichita.
.
OP
The picture posted by PR24 is the one that appears in the most recent SWCA Journal, which led me to start this thread.
Yes, the star on the splitter vane of Olds' F-4 does indicate a downed MIG. Olds had 4 aerial victories during his time in Thailand. His total was 16, with 12 aerial victories on German planes in WWII. During his time in the ETO, he also was credited with nearly a dozen enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. He flew both the P-38 Lightning and the P-51 Mustang in combat during WWII.
Legend has it that Olds stopped shooting down MIGs over 'Nam because if he became an Ace again in that conflict they were going to terminate his theater assignment and send him back to the states on tour. He wanted to stay with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing until the end of his tour.
I felt a special affinity for Colonel Olds because my dad also flew the P-38 on combat missions in the ETO. May both of them rest in peace.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
I had a history instructor who flew P-38's over Germany. Quite a lesson when he spent the hour telling us about his mission over the Ploesti oil fields.
OP
Probably flying out of N. Africa. Possibly Italy, if it was late in the war. Do you remember?
Texas Star
US Veteran
Well, if you know him, ask about the gun and holster and post about them here!
And see if he has any stirring battle stories.
Last edited:
S&WsRsweet
Member
Thanks for starting this thread JP@AK it is very interesting and informative .It seems the only true history of that war you can hear is from the guys who were there .Thanks also to the guys who added pictures and information .Yall did good.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
I took the class in 1966 or 67. Wasn't the first raid and I do think he was flying out of Italy
THE PILGRIM
Member
He don’t remember anything except it was a 38 Revolver.
Last edited:
cjtraining
US Veteran
That holster was the issued holster for the air police/security police. I still have mine.
Similar threads
