±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: cgsimpson
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6645

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 797
Total: 797
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Community Forums
03: Community Forums
04: Community Forums
05: Community Forums
06: Downloads
07: Member Screenshots
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: Home
11: Community Forums
12: Community Forums
13: Home
14: Photo Gallery
15: Community Forums
16: Community Forums
17: Home
18: Community Forums
19: Home
20: Statistics
21: Community Forums
22: Community Forums
23: Community Forums
24: Home
25: Community Forums
26: Community Forums
27: Community Forums
28: Community Forums
29: Community Forums
30: Photo Gallery
31: Community Forums
32: Community Forums
33: Community Forums
34: Community Forums
35: Photo Gallery
36: Community Forums
37: Community Forums
38: Community Forums
39: Photo Gallery
40: Community Forums
41: Community Forums
42: Photo Gallery
43: Downloads
44: Home
45: Community Forums
46: Downloads
47: Community Forums
48: Home
49: Community Forums
50: Community Forums
51: Downloads
52: Photo Gallery
53: Home
54: Community Forums
55: Community Forums
56: Community Forums
57: Photo Gallery
58: Community Forums
59: Community Forums
60: Community Forums
61: Community Forums
62: Community Forums
63: Community Forums
64: Photo Gallery
65: Community Forums
66: Community Forums
67: Community Forums
68: CPGlang
69: Community Forums
70: Community Forums
71: Home
72: Search
73: Member Screenshots
74: Community Forums
75: Downloads
76: Community Forums
77: Community Forums
78: Community Forums
79: Downloads
80: Community Forums
81: Home
82: Photo Gallery
83: Community Forums
84: Downloads
85: Community Forums
86: Community Forums
87: Community Forums
88: Downloads
89: Home
90: Community Forums
91: Community Forums
92: Community Forums
93: Community Forums
94: Community Forums
95: Photo Gallery
96: Community Forums
97: Home
98: Community Forums
99: Home
100: Community Forums
101: Community Forums
102: Community Forums
103: Your Account
104: Community Forums
105: Community Forums
106: Your Account
107: Community Forums
108: Downloads
109: Home
110: Photo Gallery
111: Member Screenshots
112: News Archive
113: Community Forums
114: Downloads
115: Community Forums
116: Community Forums
117: Community Forums
118: Photo Gallery
119: Community Forums
120: Community Forums
121: Downloads
122: Home
123: Community Forums
124: Photo Gallery
125: CPGlang
126: Community Forums
127: Community Forums
128: Photo Gallery
129: Community Forums
130: Community Forums
131: Community Forums
132: Downloads
133: Community Forums
134: Community Forums
135: Community Forums
136: Photo Gallery
137: Community Forums
138: Downloads
139: Community Forums
140: Photo Gallery
141: Community Forums
142: Community Forums
143: Downloads
144: Photo Gallery
145: Photo Gallery
146: Community Forums
147: Photo Gallery
148: Community Forums
149: Home
150: Downloads
151: Community Forums
152: Photo Gallery
153: Photo Gallery
154: Community Forums
155: Community Forums
156: Home
157: Community Forums
158: Community Forums
159: Downloads
160: Community Forums
161: Community Forums
162: Downloads
163: Community Forums
164: Community Forums
165: Community Forums
166: Home
167: Community Forums
168: Photo Gallery
169: Community Forums
170: Photo Gallery
171: Community Forums
172: Downloads
173: Community Forums
174: Member Screenshots
175: Community Forums
176: Community Forums
177: Community Forums
178: Community Forums
179: Home
180: Photo Gallery
181: Downloads
182: Downloads
183: Community Forums
184: Photo Gallery
185: Community Forums
186: Downloads
187: Community Forums
188: Downloads
189: Community Forums
190: Community Forums
191: Community Forums
192: Community Forums
193: Community Forums
194: Photo Gallery
195: Community Forums
196: Photo Gallery
197: Community Forums
198: CPGlang
199: CPGlang
200: Community Forums
201: Photo Gallery
202: Community Forums
203: Community Forums
204: Community Forums
205: Your Account
206: Community Forums
207: Photo Gallery
208: Community Forums
209: Community Forums
210: Photo Gallery
211: Community Forums
212: Community Forums
213: Community Forums
214: Community Forums
215: Community Forums
216: Home
217: Home
218: Statistics
219: Community Forums
220: Downloads
221: Community Forums
222: Home
223: Your Account
224: Community Forums
225: Photo Gallery
226: Community Forums
227: Photo Gallery
228: News
229: Downloads
230: Downloads
231: Home
232: Photo Gallery
233: Your Account
234: Community Forums
235: Downloads
236: Home
237: Community Forums
238: Home
239: Downloads
240: Community Forums
241: CPGlang
242: Community Forums
243: Community Forums
244: Photo Gallery
245: Community Forums
246: Community Forums
247: Community Forums
248: Community Forums
249: Downloads
250: Home
251: Member Screenshots
252: Downloads
253: Community Forums
254: Community Forums
255: Your Account
256: Community Forums
257: Community Forums
258: Community Forums
259: Downloads
260: Community Forums
261: Downloads
262: Photo Gallery
263: Downloads
264: Community Forums
265: Community Forums
266: Community Forums
267: Community Forums
268: Community Forums
269: Community Forums
270: Home
271: Community Forums
272: Community Forums
273: Community Forums
274: Community Forums
275: Home
276: Photo Gallery
277: Photo Gallery
278: Photo Gallery
279: Home
280: Statistics
281: Community Forums
282: Photo Gallery
283: Home
284: Home
285: Community Forums
286: Community Forums
287: Community Forums
288: Community Forums
289: Photo Gallery
290: Photo Gallery
291: Community Forums
292: Photo Gallery
293: Community Forums
294: Home
295: Photo Gallery
296: Community Forums
297: Community Forums
298: Community Forums
299: Community Forums
300: Photo Gallery
301: Photo Gallery
302: Community Forums
303: Community Forums
304: Downloads
305: Photo Gallery
306: Community Forums
307: Photo Gallery
308: Community Forums
309: Downloads
310: Home
311: Community Forums
312: Member Screenshots
313: Downloads
314: Downloads
315: Community Forums
316: Community Forums
317: Photo Gallery
318: Downloads
319: Home
320: Community Forums
321: Community Forums
322: Community Forums
323: Photo Gallery
324: Community Forums
325: News Archive
326: Your Account
327: Community Forums
328: Community Forums
329: Community Forums
330: Community Forums
331: Statistics
332: Downloads
333: Community Forums
334: Home
335: Downloads
336: Community Forums
337: Your Account
338: CPGlang
339: Community Forums
340: Photo Gallery
341: Community Forums
342: Community Forums
343: Photo Gallery
344: Photo Gallery
345: Home
346: Community Forums
347: Community Forums
348: Downloads
349: Photo Gallery
350: Photo Gallery
351: Community Forums
352: Community Forums
353: Community Forums
354: Community Forums
355: Downloads
356: Photo Gallery
357: Home
358: Community Forums
359: Home
360: Community Forums
361: Community Forums
362: Community Forums
363: Your Account
364: Community Forums
365: Community Forums
366: Downloads
367: Photo Gallery
368: Community Forums
369: Community Forums
370: Photo Gallery
371: Community Forums
372: Downloads
373: Community Forums
374: Community Forums
375: Photo Gallery
376: Photo Gallery
377: Community Forums
378: Community Forums
379: Photo Gallery
380: Community Forums
381: Home
382: Community Forums
383: Downloads
384: Community Forums
385: Photo Gallery
386: Member Screenshots
387: Photo Gallery
388: Community Forums
389: Community Forums
390: Community Forums
391: Photo Gallery
392: Photo Gallery
393: Home
394: Home
395: Downloads
396: Community Forums
397: Community Forums
398: Photo Gallery
399: Community Forums
400: Downloads
401: Home
402: Home
403: Community Forums
404: Community Forums
405: Community Forums
406: Community Forums
407: News
408: Community Forums
409: Photo Gallery
410: Community Forums
411: Community Forums
412: Community Forums
413: Community Forums
414: Community Forums
415: Home
416: Community Forums
417: Community Forums
418: Community Forums
419: Home
420: Community Forums
421: Community Forums
422: Community Forums
423: Downloads
424: Home
425: Community Forums
426: Community Forums
427: Community Forums
428: Community Forums
429: Community Forums
430: Community Forums
431: Community Forums
432: Community Forums
433: Community Forums
434: Downloads
435: Community Forums
436: Community Forums
437: Photo Gallery
438: Community Forums
439: CPGlang
440: Photo Gallery
441: Community Forums
442: Community Forums
443: Home
444: Photo Gallery
445: Community Forums
446: Community Forums
447: Photo Gallery
448: Community Forums
449: Downloads
450: Community Forums
451: Downloads
452: Photo Gallery
453: Home
454: Community Forums
455: Community Forums
456: Community Forums
457: Community Forums
458: Downloads
459: Community Forums
460: Community Forums
461: Community Forums
462: Home
463: Community Forums
464: Home
465: Community Forums
466: Community Forums
467: Community Forums
468: Member Screenshots
469: Community Forums
470: Community Forums
471: Community Forums
472: Community Forums
473: Community Forums
474: Downloads
475: Community Forums
476: Community Forums
477: Downloads
478: Home
479: News Archive
480: Photo Gallery
481: Community Forums
482: Community Forums
483: Community Forums
484: Community Forums
485: Community Forums
486: Community Forums
487: Community Forums
488: Community Forums
489: Community Forums
490: Member Screenshots
491: Photo Gallery
492: Photo Gallery
493: Your Account
494: Community Forums
495: Community Forums
496: Community Forums
497: Community Forums
498: Community Forums
499: Photo Gallery
500: Community Forums
501: Photo Gallery
502: Community Forums
503: Downloads
504: Photo Gallery
505: Downloads
506: News
507: Community Forums
508: Community Forums
509: Photo Gallery
510: Community Forums
511: Photo Gallery
512: Community Forums
513: Home
514: Home
515: Community Forums
516: Community Forums
517: Community Forums
518: CPGlang
519: Home
520: Downloads
521: Home
522: Community Forums
523: Home
524: Community Forums
525: Community Forums
526: Photo Gallery
527: Community Forums
528: Community Forums
529: Photo Gallery
530: Community Forums
531: Downloads
532: Photo Gallery
533: Community Forums
534: Community Forums
535: Home
536: Community Forums
537: Photo Gallery
538: Home
539: Statistics
540: Community Forums
541: Photo Gallery
542: Home
543: Downloads
544: Community Forums
545: Downloads
546: Community Forums
547: Home
548: Community Forums
549: Community Forums
550: Home
551: Community Forums
552: Community Forums
553: CPGlang
554: Community Forums
555: Photo Gallery
556: Community Forums
557: Community Forums
558: Photo Gallery
559: Downloads
560: Community Forums
561: Community Forums
562: Community Forums
563: Community Forums
564: Photo Gallery
565: Community Forums
566: Downloads
567: Community Forums
568: Community Forums
569: Community Forums
570: Community Forums
571: Downloads
572: Photo Gallery
573: Photo Gallery
574: Community Forums
575: Community Forums
576: Home
577: Your Account
578: Community Forums
579: Community Forums
580: Community Forums
581: Statistics
582: Community Forums
583: Community Forums
584: News
585: Home
586: Community Forums
587: Community Forums
588: Community Forums
589: Your Account
590: Community Forums
591: Photo Gallery
592: Community Forums
593: Community Forums
594: Community Forums
595: Photo Gallery
596: Community Forums
597: Member Screenshots
598: Community Forums
599: Community Forums
600: Community Forums
601: Community Forums
602: Photo Gallery
603: Community Forums
604: Photo Gallery
605: Community Forums
606: Community Forums
607: Community Forums
608: Community Forums
609: Community Forums
610: Downloads
611: Statistics
612: Community Forums
613: Community Forums
614: Community Forums
615: Photo Gallery
616: Community Forums
617: Community Forums
618: Community Forums
619: Photo Gallery
620: Home
621: Community Forums
622: Community Forums
623: Home
624: Community Forums
625: Community Forums
626: Downloads
627: Community Forums
628: Community Forums
629: Home
630: CPGlang
631: Community Forums
632: Community Forums
633: Community Forums
634: Community Forums
635: Community Forums
636: Home
637: Photo Gallery
638: Home
639: Photo Gallery
640: Community Forums
641: Community Forums
642: Home
643: Community Forums
644: Community Forums
645: Community Forums
646: Home
647: Community Forums
648: Community Forums
649: Community Forums
650: Community Forums
651: Community Forums
652: Photo Gallery
653: Home
654: Downloads
655: Community Forums
656: Community Forums
657: Community Forums
658: Community Forums
659: Community Forums
660: Photo Gallery
661: Community Forums
662: Community Forums
663: Community Forums
664: Downloads
665: Community Forums
666: Community Forums
667: Community Forums
668: Home
669: Photo Gallery
670: Downloads
671: Photo Gallery
672: Downloads
673: CPGlang
674: Community Forums
675: Community Forums
676: Community Forums
677: Home
678: Community Forums
679: Community Forums
680: Community Forums
681: Home
682: Community Forums
683: Member Screenshots
684: Community Forums
685: Home
686: Community Forums
687: Community Forums
688: Community Forums
689: Community Forums
690: Community Forums
691: Community Forums
692: Community Forums
693: Community Forums
694: Photo Gallery
695: Home
696: Community Forums
697: Member Screenshots
698: Downloads
699: Community Forums
700: Statistics
701: Community Forums
702: Member Screenshots
703: Photo Gallery
704: CPGlang
705: Community Forums
706: Photo Gallery
707: Photo Gallery
708: Community Forums
709: Home
710: Photo Gallery
711: Community Forums
712: Community Forums
713: Community Forums
714: Community Forums
715: Community Forums
716: Community Forums
717: Community Forums
718: Community Forums
719: Photo Gallery
720: Community Forums
721: Community Forums
722: Community Forums
723: Downloads
724: Community Forums
725: Home
726: Community Forums
727: Home
728: Photo Gallery
729: Home
730: Photo Gallery
731: Community Forums
732: Home
733: Home
734: Community Forums
735: Community Forums
736: Photo Gallery
737: Downloads
738: Community Forums
739: Photo Gallery
740: Downloads
741: Community Forums
742: Community Forums
743: Community Forums
744: Community Forums
745: Photo Gallery
746: Home
747: Community Forums
748: Downloads
749: Home
750: Community Forums
751: Photo Gallery
752: News
753: Community Forums
754: Community Forums
755: Community Forums
756: Community Forums
757: Photo Gallery
758: Community Forums
759: Community Forums
760: Community Forums
761: Community Forums
762: Community Forums
763: Downloads
764: Community Forums
765: Community Forums
766: Community Forums
767: Community Forums
768: Community Forums
769: Community Forums
770: Photo Gallery
771: Downloads
772: Community Forums
773: Community Forums
774: Community Forums
775: Community Forums
776: Home
777: Photo Gallery
778: Photo Gallery
779: Community Forums
780: Community Forums
781: Community Forums
782: Photo Gallery
783: Community Forums
784: Photo Gallery
785: Community Forums
786: Photo Gallery
787: Community Forums
788: Downloads
789: Community Forums
790: Community Forums
791: Downloads
792: Photo Gallery
793: Your Account
794: Community Forums
795: Your Account
796: Community Forums
797: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:39 pm
Post subject: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

[img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img][img][/img]
The plaque says these were used in SEA. Albeit only three, but I was curious to see if anyone had first hand experiance or witnessed this item in action? I climbed under the rubber cushion to take the belly shots. I was surprised to see that only the edge cushion is what holds these up. I didn't exactly know what was underneath or how it worked, but I was rather surprised, I thought there would be additional "cushions in the middle some where.

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:20 pm
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Probably one of the three vehicles tested as part of the "39th Cavalry Platoon"..."so beset by maint. problems the test ended inconclusively."

D. Starry-"Armored Combat in Vietnam"

I did not witness any of their action...before my time.
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:31 pm
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Thats a quote by D.Starry? Would you know the area of operations that the 39th was in?

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
Jens_O_Mehner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 511
Location: Giessen, Germany
PostPosted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 11:09 pm
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Hmm,

isn't that also known as the PACV in Navy service? Google PACV and you should come up with further info, there's also a chapter in one of the Squadron Viet Nam volumes, possibly "Riverine", but I'm not sure.

I'll upload some photos of USN PACVs in Viet Nam tomorrow.

Cheers,

Jens O.
Back to top
View user's profile
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 12:46 am
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

- SFC_Jeff_Button
Thats a quote by D.Starry? Would you know the area of operations that the 39th was in?


Yep, Starry (footnote on page 142). They operated, briefly, in the Delta (MR IV)....as you would expect. I've seen some film of these operations on occasion...comes around on TV now and again.
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Jens_O_Mehner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 511
Location: Giessen, Germany
PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:43 am
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

OK,

here are some photos of the USN PACVs in use in Viet Nam, some details are different from the SK-5.






The images are either from NARA or Corbis, CRAFT syndrom kicking in again, I'm afraid. Crying or Very sad

Cheers,

Jens O.
Back to top
View user's profile
Maple_Leaf_Eh
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 517

PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:40 pm
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

- Jens_O_Mehner
OK,

.... CRAFT syndrome kicking in again, I'm afraid.

Cheers,

Jens O.


CRAFT syndrome? Is that from sniffing too much styrene plastic model glue?
Back to top
View user's profile
sapper141
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 09, 2006
Posts: 46

PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:43 pm
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Hi Guys
I guess I should stop lurking and participate. Jeff the vehicle you are showing here is I do believe the army version of the Navy's PACV known as the AACV (Army Air Cushion Vehicle). I'd love to see more pics of this thing as there wasn't alot of them even used in Veitnam. It was sort of experimental like the PACV.
Just my 2 Canuck cents
Back to top
View user's profile
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:19 am
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Hi Folks!

There was an article in Armor Magazine that listed a lot of details about the Army test. The unit had a lot of problems with NO spare parts and mine damage. I will try to remember to check my files and see if I can find that article.

Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:36 am
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Do you remember the month/year? It may be online.

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:38 pm
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Here is a webpage on the 39th Cavalry Platoon-Air Cushion, with pics.

I believe the name was a contrived, unofficial nickname because they were attached to the 3rd Bde., 9th Infantry Division...hence, the 39 Cavalry, which, while unofficial, is how history records them.

Click Here:
www.gingerb.com/vietna...am_acv.htm

"ACV #901 was taken out-of-service when an ARVN soldier tragically went through the lift fan with his equipment"

....Eeeeewwwwww! Shocked

(this vehicle is pictured, after, in view #2 at the website)

Relation to PACV(Navy):
" The Army ACVs differed from the three US Navy PACVs in that they were an improved design better suited to support infantry operations. The ACVs were designed with flat decks to carry 12 troops, more powerful engines, and twin machinegun turrets in a wider cabin. Both the US Navy's PACVs and the Army's ACVs had been civilian craft manufactured by the British Hovercraft Company in England and refitted for military use in the USA by Bell Aerosystems. Although the Army test concluded that the ACVs were successful in their combat roles, their initial purchase price of $1,000,000 and subsequent high maintenance costs did not warrant further expansion of the fleet."
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
C_Sherman
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 590

PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:39 pm
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

- Maple_Leaf_Eh
- Jens_O_Mehner
OK,

.... CRAFT syndrome kicking in again, I'm afraid.

Cheers,

Jens O.


CRAFT syndrome? Is that from sniffing too much styrene plastic model glue?


C = Can't
R = Remember
A = A
F = $^%&**#
T = Thing

It's a memory disorder. Normally age-related, but sometimes caused by stress, fatigue and lack of sleep, or simple too-damn-many-irons-in-the-fire. Often found in military folks, or those with past military experience or affiliation. A related and more common syndrome is known as CRS.

C = Can't
R = Remember
S = $%&*

HTH!
C

_________________
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it
will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
-Herm Albright

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc!
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Jens_O_Mehner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 511
Location: Giessen, Germany
PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:14 pm
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Well Chuck,

you nailed it down Wink I claim all of the above reasons (OK, I'll tread lightly on the age thing) plus glue fumes plus all the engine oil and hydraulic fluid fumes I was exposed to when working in AOAP...

Cheers,

Jens O.
(often too busy right-clicking and saving to note the source)
Back to top
View user's profile
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 2:28 am
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Hi Folks!

Follow up spot report.

The article I was thinking about is titled "Cavaltry Afloat: The 39th Cavalry Platoon in the Mekong Delta" by Captain Kevin Keaveney, Armor Magazine July-August 1993.

Until I had read that article, I never knew the Army had tried air cushion combat vehicles.

Some notes from the article.

Late 1960s, three Army SK-5 Air Cushion Vehicles (ACV) were evaluated as weapon platforms in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam.

Navy test ran from 1966 to 1969 under Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV) Division 107, later Coastal "Division 17 with three SK-5s.

Major Donald G. Moore first platoon commander
Staff Sergeant Ronald Crosby was first platoon sergeant

Vehicles manned by 11D cavalry scouts for Ft. Knox
(My note: today 11Ds are called 19Ds.)

unit formed in January 1968 at Aberdeen Proving Ground

1st Army SK-5 rolled off the production line in February 1968
Two versions, a weapons-heavy version known as Assault Air Cushion Vehicle (AACV) (two build) and a logistical verion, the Transport Air Cushion Vehicle (TACV) (one build).

Differed from the earlier Navy SK-5s
Passenger windows replace with an armored crew compartment.
Non-load bearing decks replaced with weight-bearing decks.
Carried 1,000 pounds of armor which some crews removed later to save weigth.

Each ACV could carry 13 infantry soldiers at a time.
Weight 8.5 tons, could be airlifted by CH-53 which was used to recover damaged ACVs a number of times, like after the soldier fell into the lift fans.

Armament, originally two M2 HB .50 cal.s on the ACVs. The TACV had a third M2. Two side door M-60 machine guns. On the front left deck was a M5 40-mm grenade launcher.

August 1970, ACVs replaced one M2 HB with a GAU-2 minigun.
The TACV front door M2 was replace with twin M-60 mount.

First mission, after Tet, was on June 7, 1968. Ceased combat operations on August 31, 1970.

As reported in another post, the platoon was part of the 3rd Brigade of the 9th ID. When the 9th ID left Vietnam, the 3rd BCT along with the 39th Cavalry Platoon was placed under the operational control of the 25th ID.

One ACV lost to mine, or possible a dud 500 pound bomb, on January 9, 1970. Of 17 personnel on board, 14 were hurt and all but one guickly returned to duty.
August 3, 1970 second ACV destroyed by, possible a command detonated, mine. Major Barry F. Garham, SP5s Kent C. Wolf and Larry Joe Meador KIA, others seriously wounded, to include SP4s Jack Kavanagh and Tommy Macauley.
Third Vehicle returned to the states, that should be the one Jeff has photos of.


Mission ready rate of 55.7 percent. Not Operationally Ready for Supply rate of 21.5 percent. manintenace rate of 1.14 hours for every hour of operation.

Larger unit plans,
USARV requested 12 ACVs for a MTOE Cavalry troop of 124 troops and ten SK-5s and two SK-6s. Nothing came of this request.

Epilogue
There is little documentation on the 39th in Army or Bell arachives. Only about 100 people actually served in the unit, and the overall impact of the three ACVs on the Army was slight. Locating former unit members was nearly impossible. Jack Kavanagh, the only one to be found, graciously provide this time and memorabilia to help record the unit's history.

Footnotes

During its existence there were several titles for the Army ACV unit: Air Cushion Vehicle Test Unit, 9th ID, Armor Paltoon Air Cushioned (Provisional), and Air Cushion Vehicle Unit.

Armor on the ACV roughly equal to the protection of a M113.

Spot report!
Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:43 am
Post subject: Re: Anyone ever seen these Hovercraft in SEA?

Hi Neil! Hi Folks!

- Neil_Baumgardner
Do you remember the month/year? It may be online.

Neil


Sorry, the on line copies only go back to the last two issues of 1994. The article I have a copy of was in the July-August issue of 1993. It sure would be nice if the staff at the magazine could find the time to upload ever issue of the magazine. I guess between limited or no funds and limited staff, we are lucky to have the few issues that are there now.

Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum