Camp Holloway Discussion Forum Archive 03 - 03/01/01 to 12/31/03

Re: VHPA News Letter
In Response To: VHPA News Letter ()

We tried that same stunt again in early 1967. I scrounged some napalm tanks (I told the AF that we were using them to drop supplies to the SF guys) and fuzes from an old bud at Pleiku airbase and we rigged them on the C models. I think Capt O'Sullivan flew them on the first mission. The 500 pound capacity tanks were too heavy and did not spread the napalm when they hit. They looked like someone lit a 55 gallon drum of fuel when they hit the woods.
The second try was with 250 pound capacity tanks and I did not see that one, but was told they did very well. Anyway, we had no arming solenoids in the racks so we tied the fuze wires directly to the rack. There was no way to drop them safe if you had an emergency.
An AF colonel was visiting Holloway and saw the " Supply Tanks" with fuzes and arming wires taking off on the second mision. I understand he raised hell with the comanders and we were told to stop "jerry rigging" weapons systems.
If anyone of you remembers flying one of the two missions napalm missions please fill us in on the details. BTW, overflying a VC target was a sure way to get killed so I am glad the powers that be stopped our youthful stunts.
BT

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