Bob Gardner's Vietnam: [161 Independent Reconnaissance Flight, 1970-1971]

Accession Number F04629
Collection type Film
Measurement 106 min 40 sec
Object type Home movie
Physical description 8mm super/colour (Kodachrome)/silent
Maker Gardner, Robert Harper
Place made Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province, Nui Dat, Luscombe Airfield
Date made 1970-1971
Access Open
Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975
Copyright Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
Creative Commons License This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
Source credit to This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government.
Description

Scene 1
17-26
A U S Army U21, Ute, electronic battlefield surveillance aircraft taxiing out from
the refuelling point at Luscombe Airfield, Niu Dat, Vietnam. Australian Pilatus
Porter aircraft in the background

Scene 2
28-122
4 Army Porters taxiing out for training, Cpl Bill Wright walking out to take a
movie of them taking off. Cfn Chris Banner joining Bill to take photo's.

Scene 3
123-149 A Cessna 180 recce aircraft sitting on the runway, 4 Porters taxiing in after training for birthday fly past. The aircraft taxi in to refuel with personnel standing on the perimeter road, Cfn Douglas "Scobie" Treble waving his arms.

Scene 4
159-160 An American Army OV-1 Mohawk military observation & attack aircraft preparing to leave Luscombe Field.

Scene 5
161-171 A Sioux observation helicopter 161 Recce Flt return from a sortie with a few bullet holes received from hostile ground forces.

Scene 6
172-187 An American Fairchild PC-6 Porter UV-20, Chiricahua of Air America at Luscombe.

Scene 7
188-216 A Cessna 180 of 161 Recce Flt taxiing from the hangar area to the main runway at Luscombe Field.

Scene 8
217-300 A OV-1 Mohawk on start-up, taxi and take off. Low passes by the Mohawk with steep climb outs.

Scene 9
301-308 Captured weapons, An Aussie SLR, A 30M1 Carbine and A AK-47 with a SLR magazine in place to simulated the real magazine.

Scene 10
309-347 A US Army UH-1, Iroquois helicopter transporting a Sioux helicopter. The Sioux had received ground fire and was damaged rendering it unflyable. The Americans usually retrieved our damaged aircraft. Robert "Pop" Gardner walking across picture.

Scene 11
348-351 Cessna 180 from 161 Recce Flt taxiing down from the workshops after servicing. Note pilots door removed to allow the pilot unrestricted view when carrying out first light recce's along the main roads to look for mines or other signs of the enemy.

Scene 12
352-362 A O-1 Bird dog of the US Airforce fitted out with rocket pods for target marking

Scene 13
363-371 Loading 14lb rockets into pods on a Porter aircraft 161 Recce Flt. Robert "POP" Gardner, John "Grandpa Pa" Stead, John Goritchan, Kevin Bultitude John Bale and Don Rolfe at the rear of the pod

Scene 14
372-616 A show in the hangar of 161 Recce flt. Vietnamese dancers and strippers A few members of the flt got into the act, A Pilot Ian Sinnot with the stripper unknown with back to camera, Chris Bannister, Unknown, Stephen Good and The Major.

Scene 15
617-660 A Sioux helicopter being inhibited before being sent back to Australia for overhaul. The inhibiting is done by pumping a mixture of kerosene & Fixotropic an Inhibitor into the engine while it is running to coat all the engine and gearbox internals to prevent any corrosive contaminants from damaging the engine or gearbox while being shipped and stored.

Scene 16
661-735 The Fred Thompson USO show at the Dust Bowl, Nui Dat, 1970

Scene 17
735-740 Night flying, aircraft lights moving around

Scene 18
741-775 A Sioux helicopter slung under a UH-1 Iroquois army helicopter after being shot down by Vietcong. The aircraft was recovered by a ground crew protected by infantry and then flown out using the US Army as a recovery vehicle.

Scene 19
776-792 A Sioux helicopter of 161 Indep Recce Flt undergoing an engine change in the workshop. Walking towards camera, Don Rolfe. Kneeling & showing off is Douglas "Scobie" Treble Standing up & putting hands on hips John Goritchan leaning on the rear of the airframe is Brian O'Loughlin.

Scene 20
793-840 An aerial view of somewhere over Vietnam taken from an altitude of about 10,000 ft from a Pilatus Porter observation aircraft of 161 Indep Recce Flt.

Scene 21
841-880 Skycranes, Iroquois & other types of aircraft at Bearcat a US base. The Skycrane was the CH-54 Tarhe, named after a leader of the Wyandot Indians of Ohio county. Chief Tarhe was nicknamed "The Crane"

Scene 22
880-940 An aerial view of somewhere over Vietnam possibly Phan Rang Bay, showing the coast line, airstrip, aircraft, aircraft lined up on taxi way, in flt again watching the scenery passing below. Bomb craters in the jungle.

Scene 23
957-1041 Night time over Nui Dat, the sky is lit by flares dropped from our aircraft over a contact. The flares are magnesium filled cylinders which have a parachute attached and are dropped from 3,000 ft. They are activated by a lanyard which fires the detonator when deployed out of the aircraft, they burn for about 3 mins at 2000000 candle power.

Scene 24
1041-1077 A wrecked Cessna O-1 Bird dog aircraft was obtained from the yanks as a project to keep the workshop personnel skills current. Two wrecked bodies were obtained and from these a reborn Cessna O-1 bird dog was to take to the skies again. Named Bunny 11, she was test flown by a US pilot and returned to Australia to be stored in the Army Aviation Museum Oakey.

Scene 25
1077-1090 US Airforce Phantom F4 jet fighter/bomber doing a low pass over Luscombe Field

Scene 26
1090-1120 At Vung Tau aircraft grave yard collecting bits and pieces for the Recce Flt. A Fairchild C 119 flying boxcar taking off, while the boys were busy getting some parts. Fred Bower using the oxy cutter, John Goritchan watching with Brian O'Loughlin standing back.

Scene 27
1121-1137 Still at Vung Tau watching a couple of Bronco OV-10 light attack & observation aircraft take off .

Scene 28
1137-1140 Still at Vung Tau removing a set of wheels needed for a project back at Luscombe.

Scene 29
1140-1156 Taxing through parked aircraft, Kiowa's(Bell OH-58A Jetrangers) , AH-1 Huey Cobra gunships, Phantom F-4 Fighter/bombers and a U-1A Otter air taxi.

Scene 30
1157-1180 Touring around Vung Tau by Landrover checking out the sights. Left, rear of Chris bannister, rear John Goritchan and Brian O'Loughlin.

Scene 31
1182-1191 Touring Vung Tau, Cape St. Jacques, with the ship fast on the rocks. The freighter was run a ground in 1967-68, why no one knows. It was crewed by Greeks and was burnt out a week later.

Scene 32
1191-1206 Vista from the top of the hill overlooking Vung Tau and the Mekong Delta area. A rear view of the Bach Dinh or Villa Blanche( White Palace) used by high officials as a palace Thieu and others reputed to have stayed here.

Scene 33
1207-1293 On the road from Vung Tau to Nui Dat with sight seeing carried out taking in the sights Landrover 113-037 Driver Brian O'Loughlin, Cpl Bill Wright Facing Camera and Douglas Treble in the back. turning round to get in the picture.

Scene 34
1293-1356 More of Vung Tau from the Landrover, street scenes, D. Treble taking pictures, Wall of Nations, on the road towards Nui Dat ,Entrance gate and guard at Nui Dat, SAS Hill and the arrivals and departure area at Luscombe Field.

Scene 35
1357-1360 A Cessna O-2 Skymaster FAC of the US Air Force taxiing on Luscombe Field

Scene 36
1360-1381 A Porter aircraft in the revetments at Nui Dat receiving maintenance. This aircraft has been zapped by Big Daddy Otter Air Services. American pilots and crew usually apply their logos to our aircraft similarly we did the same with a red kangaroo. Big Daddy was their call sign, flying U-1A Otters. Big daddy otter Air Services were like a taxi service flying between bases.

Scene 37
1382-1387 John Goritchan chasing butterflies around the hangar area.

Scene 38
1387-1391 A Porter aircraft undergoing a service in the hangar at Luscombe. John Stead standing on the table and Don Rolfe working on the wing.

Scene 39
1391-1398 Sitting on the hard stand verge are Chris bannister, Douglas Treble & Fred Bower

Scene 40
1398-1413 A Sioux A1-727 piloted by Peter Bysouth returning from a sortie and landing at the refuelling point.

Scene 41
1413-1424 Porter A14-701 taxiing out of the revetment and proceeding to the main runway.

Scene 42
1424-1446 Sioux A1-732 fitted out with an M-60 Machine gun preparing to depart from Luscombe Brian O'Loughlin getting ready to crew the aircraft with Pilot Ken Cairns.

Scene 43
1446-1454 Sgt Rocky Hoare talking to the flight line servicing crew with a second helicopter A1-722 made ready for action with a M60 GPMG fitted to the passengers side.

Scene 44
1454-1465 Kevin Bultitude sitting on the refuelling line awaiting for the clearance for the two Sioux's

Scene 45
1465-1510 The two Sioux's ready and waiting for flight details for their mission, start up, and taxi out and line up for departure.

Scene 46
1510-1518 Engine Sgt Geoff "Stork" Deacon sitting at his desk in the hangar at Luscombe.

Scene 47
1518-1536 Panning across 161 Hangar area. The revetments next to the hangar, the hangar, Duty hut and workshops, HIAB crane MK3 truck and water tanker at the wash point, A further two revetments and finally the ammunitions bunker.

Scene 48
1536-1567 LINH SON BUU TU orphanage in Phuoc Loi where we did aide work

Scene 49
1567-1580 The 4 soldiers in this shot remain unknown at this time.

Scene 50
1580-1585 Cpl Len Avery( Big Bird) sitting in the vehicle waiting for the order to move out

Scene 51
1585-1597 On the road taking in the scenery moving onto the beach and looking at the fishing boats

Scene 52
1597-1604 Cpl Len Avery 'Big Bird' taking snap shots on the beach

Scene 53
1604-1613 Cpl Bob Ellis grabs the Arvn's hat and waves before turning away.

Scene 54
1613-1632 Dat Do Village and markets

Scene 55
1632-1635 Heavy rain pouring down flooding the drain between the hangar and workshop. Douglas Treble strolls down the drain

Scene 56
1635-1646 Rural scene at orphanage, a small boy climbs up and down a coconut tree

Scene 57
1646-1676 Left without shirt is Cpl Stephen Good and leaning on the post is Sgt Dennis Ward at the Phouc loi orphanage, the boy now descends the coconut palm

Scene 58
1676-1677 A stack of ornately constructed coffins awaiting recipients.
Scene 59
1677-1691 Inhibiting a Sioux Helicopter for transit, squatting down working is Cpl Bill Wright and Cfn Johnny Bale runs in to point out something

Scene 60
1691-1700 Rain, Rain go away, must be 4pm or there about.

Scene 61
1700-1729 A Iroquois helicopter with a crowd on the PAP hard stand area of 161 hangar

Scene 62
1729-1731 The Iroquois doing a fly pass over the 161 lines.

Scene 63
1731-1736 L/Cpl Robert Harper Gardner "Pop"

Scene 64
1736-1750 Giving 161 Recce Flt's mascot TULS a wash, Chris Bannister using the hose, Johnny Bale holding TULS and Peter Egan watching on. TULS running around to dry off and chasing Peter Egan along the PAP hard stand area.

Scene 65
1750-1770 Back at the orphanage at Phouc Loi, Cpl Brian O'Loughlin shirtless standing behind the trailer and Cfn John Bale sitting down on veranda playing with the kids.

Scene 66
1770-1782 Still at the orphanage where some boy soldiers (ARVAN) protect the orphanage and attack the Viet cong, going down the slippery dip is a young Vietnamese boy

Scene 67
1782-1804 A group from Adelaide doing a show at the dust bowl, Nui Dat.

Scene 68
1804-1835 A group of RAEME fitters in the hangar having a chat. Sitting in the chair Cfn Jeff Allan, sitting on the table is Cfn Fred Hardidge and Cpl Bob Ellis with that interloper Cfn Douglas Treble forever sticking his head into the picture

Scene 69
1835-1841 panning down the PAP area towards our wash point, our water tanker, our home made oil tank spreader( This is where the two wheels from the Chinook were used) and a Cessna 180 and panning across the revetments and aircraft parking and refuelling area.

Scene 70
1841-1842 the remains of an Iroquois helicopter tail boom

Scene 71
1842-1856 An OV-10A Bronco of the USAF taxiing in and parking near a Cessna 0-2A Skymaster. Both aircraft were utilised as Forward air control and observation platforms. The OV-10A Bronco was armed with 4 M60C, 7,62mm machine guns and 4 rocket pods containing7 rockets each, while the Cessna was only lightly armed with white phosphorus rockets for target marking for fighters or bombers.

Scene 72
1857-1870 Taking a break between aircraft movements the tarmac crew sitting outside the office left to right Cfn Douglas Treble, Cpl Don Rolfe, Cfn Michael Garrett, Cfn Kevin Thrush and Cpl Brian O'Loughlin. Kevin Thrush driving the Landrover drives off to service the arrived helicopter

Scene 73
1870-1876 Cpl Don Rolfe reclining

Scene 74
1876-1897 Flare trails in the sky, inhibiting A1-727 Sioux for transport, Cfn D. Treble standing, unknown sitting on strut as the aircraft disappears in smoke. Kevin Thrush sitting on the PAP taking a movie of the process

Scene 75
1897-1904 Aircraft inhibiting completed and the crew clean up. Cpl Bob Ellis, Cfn D. Treble, Cfn Kevin Bultitude with the other two not recognisable

Scene 76
1904-1910 looking around the workshop and a few of the projects being worked on

Scene 77
1911-1924 Panning the 161 Indep Recce Flt sign and rock at the entrance to the unit. One Scobie Treble meanders across the screen as we pan down where the Engineers are resurface a taxi way and across the refuelling pad, revetments and finally the sign telling us that we are at Luscombe Airfield. 1st Aust Task Force & once again having Scobie Treble come into the picture.

Scene 78
1925-1933 An Iroquois circling over the strip heading back toward Vung Tau.

Scene 79
1934-1947 The guys playing badminton in the hangar for recreation. D. Treble and Fred Bower partners against Sgt Rocky Hoare and Mick Garrett Background people are Cfn Bruce" Doc" Cairnes hands on hips and Cpl Don Rolfe walking

Scene 80
1948-1953 Sitting under the tree, Cpl Derek Downing with camera, next Cpl Len Avery and then Cpl Reus with Cpl Russell "Shifty Gordon walking into the picture.

Scene 81
1953-2006 RAAF Birthday fly over aircraft rehearsal with the aircraft trying to get into formation. Scobie Treble taking a picture of the camera man, Actual day of the fly over with the aircraft in formation and trailing smoke, Cpl W Wright in the picture and 161 Recce Flt personnel scattering to take photos and movie as they pass overhead

Scene 82
2006-2015 A U-8 Seminole beechcraft surveillance aircraft parked at Luscombe Field and a L-20 Beaver taxiing

Scene 83
2016-2020 A porter aircraft of 161 Recce Flt which was delivered from Australia and reassembled in Vietnam had a test flight to ensure it was serviceable before being used in it's reconnaissance roll. The pilot reported back that he was having difficulties controlling the aircraft in flight and returning would we have the crash crew standing by, he was controlling the aircraft in straight and level flight by using power on/off and very little of other control movements.
The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the hangars where it was found to have the left elevator
hanging back by the control cable and not much more. Investigation disclosed that there had
been a mistake at Amberley and someone had said remove the control surfaces, this was started on one day shift. The next day there was a change in the plan and the control surfaces did not need to be removed. Unfortunately no one had detailed the new shift to check to see if they had
disturbed, the bolts had been loosened off and when the aircraft was test flown the nuts eventually came off and the bolt worked its way out hence the elevator came free. It was only the skill of the pilot which got the aircraft back. People kneeling down ? Standing to the rear is Kevin Thrush, Fred Hardidge, Peter Egan all air frame fitters and Derek Downing

Scene 84
2020-2030 A Sioux A1-637 in the hangar with Derek Downing leaning on the tail boom while Bill Wright works on the truck hydraulics.

Scene 85
2030-2036 Panning across 161 Indep Recce Flt lines, our tents, Homo sweet Homo.

Scene 86
2036-2042 A Caribou flying over.

Scene 87
2042 2050 A Caribou parked at the arrival terminal at Luscombe with a Cessna Skymaster of the USAF taxiing up the strip

Scene 88
2050-2082 A Caribou landing and taxiing up and turning around, one of 35 Sqdn aircraft A Caribou taking off also 35 Sqdn RAAF (Wallaby Airlines)

Scene 89
2082-2085 A Cessna O-2 Skymaster FAC of the US Air Force taxiing on Luscombe Field

Scene 90
2085-2099 An Iroquois flying over, a Cessna Skymaster taking off followed by a Caribou

Scene 91
2100-2107 Cfn Seaton Russell Charles standing in front of the tarmac office

Scene 92
2108-2109 Cpl Derek Downing as records clerk checking the paper work of the porter under going a service.

Scene 93
2109 2114 A porter under going a hot end inspection in the hangar, Kevin Bultitude working on the engine Cpl John Crawford walking across the hangar, Capt Bob "Beach ball" Millar talking in the Background. Cpl John Crawford working on the split engine with the combustion chamber sitting on the work bench. This was the first hot end inspection on a PT6A-20 Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engine carried out in Vietnam by 161 RAEME fitters. Cpl's John Crawford and Bill Wright were sent to an American Base at Bearcat to receive training from the American Army Engine Repair Section and a Pratt & Whitney Rep stationed in Vietnam to enable the hot end to be inspected in country instead of shipping the engine home.

Scene 94
2115-2118 A Porter aircraft on the PAP having an engine run

Scene 95
2118-2122 The porter engine still spilt showing the turbine disc laying on the work bench and Cpl Peter Ehsman walking across the hangar to work on a second porter on service.

Scene 96
2122-2124 Sioux A1-641 showing shrapnel puncture received during a Canberra bombing run on a bunker complex. The Sioux marks the target with smoke and then retires about 1000 mt but on this occasion was not quick enough getting out of the way, hence the puncture wound.
Scene 97
2124-2128 161 mascot 'TULS' the mutt from the tip.

Scene 98
2128-2176 A US Army CH-47 Chinook doing touch and go training at Luscombe Field, Vietnam.
Scene 99
2176-2179 L/Cpl Fred Bower sitting on a load of 7lb HE rockets and ammo boxes

Scene 100
2180-2202 Loading a Porter fitted with 7 tube rocket pods. Those loading the rockets are L/Cpl Robert Harper "Pop" Gardner , Cpl Russell 'Shifty' Gordon checking installation at the rear to ensure proper electrical contact, Cfn John Goritchan, Cfn Bruce Cairnes and L/Cpl Fred Bower last shot is Fred Bower loading the last couple of rockets with John Goritchan giving us a sign.

Scene 101
2203-2212 A Porter in the revetments with Cfn Fred Hardidge resting on the strut talking to someone inside the Porters cabin.

Scene 102
2212-2222 A C123 Provider sits on the apron while a Caribou from 35 Sqdn taxi's into position to take off. Sitting in the Luscombe arrival/departure area is a Hercules and a C123 Provider which can be seen as the Caribou departs.

Scene 103
2222-2230 The C123 Providers departs Luscombe Field.

Scene 104
2230-2232 A C123 lands

Scene 105
2232-2234 An Iroquois fly's overhead.

Scene 106
2234-2242 A Cessna 180 of 161 Recce Flt coming in to land and then taxiing up to park.

Scene 107
2242-2247 A Sioux of 161 recce flt returning to it's roost

Scene 108
2247-2266 A Bristol 170 Freighter of the RNZAF, taxis up the runway, turns onto the PAP with a loadmaster sticking his head out of the bubble on top of the fuselage to ensure they do not go ff the PAP. The Bristol lines up and departs for NZ seemingly taking forever to rise off the runway.

Scene 109
2266-2302 A C130 Hercules of the USAF trying to reverse out from Luscombe Field arrival/departure area Finally success, it taxis up the runway, Cpl Derek Downing standing in front of our bunker as the Herc approaches to turn on the PAP, lines up and as the engines roar into life a huge dust storm is whipped up, down the runway it speeds with the dust cloud following, then it lifts off.

Scene 110
2302-2303 A C123 provider

Scene 111
2303-2241 A yellow smoke grenade is dropped to indicate which way the wind is blowing as a US Army Iroquois brings back a casualty of the war. A Sioux hit by ground fire is delivered back to base by American Army Iroquois, places its load on the taxi way lowers down to release the sling line then proceeds to land on the refuelling point to unload its cargo of bits and pieces as Cfn Bruce Doc' Cairnes walks across the screen

Scene 112
2242-2388 A Chinook coming in from over Task Force HQ and SAS Hill direction with the rotor blades off the downed Sioux. Two crew members unloading the blades as 161 members go down to retrieve them. Carrying the first blade Cfn Gary 'Blue" Nicklin, L/Cpl Bob Gardner, Cpl Don Rolfe andthe 2nd Blade, Cpl Brian O'Loughlin, Cpl Len Avery,?

Scene 113
2388-2390 A C123. No. 363 Provider being refuelled. The pilot of this aircraft was using sign language to communicate with the refuelling crew when Cfn D. Treble said, Do you want us to fill it up? The pilot was quite surprised when Scobie spoke to him in English and said, You speak good English, where did you learn it? Scobie quick as a flash replied, we do a 3 day crash course so that we can talk to the Americans at times like this¿

Scene 114
2390-2395 The three amigos walking up the ramp from the tarmac are L-R, Cfn John Bale, Cpl Russell 'Shifty' Gordon and Cpl Derek Downing.

Scene 115
2395-2400 A C123. No. 648 Provider being refuelled. Cpl W. Wright the unit zapper is attaching a large red Kangaroo to the vertical fin and then covering it with a clear lacquer

Scene 116
2400-2406 A Sioux taxiing past the C123

Scene 117
2406-2413 Cpl W. Wright gingerly climbing back onto the fuselage of the C123 before the aircraft leaves.

Scene 118
2414-2442 An American serviceman from the Big Daddy Otter air services spray painting their motive on our vehicles and aircraft with D. 'Scobie' Treble, Russell' Shifty' Gordon, Fred Hardidge and Fred Bower inspecting his handy work, A C130 taxiing and turning, the C123 Provider with Bill Wright still on the tailplane with Johnny Crawford, Fred Hardidge and Gary 'Blue' Nicklin watching Douglas Treble checking the oil level of the Sioux, The Red Kangaroo on the C123 tail fin. The C123 Provider starting No.1 engine in a cloud of smoke, starting No.2 with smoke, Johnny Crawford and Fred Hardidge taking pictures.

Scene 119
2443-2464 # RAAF Canberra bombers making a pass over the base.

Scene 120
2464-2471 Iroquois at Nui Dat

Scene 121
2472-2479 A Porter in the hangar Left side Bob Gardner, Douglas Treble, Brian O'Loughlin, Fred Hardidge and Kevin Thrush.

Scene 122
2479-2482 A shot in the dark cockpit of a Porter showing the flight panel and instruments.

Scene 123
2482-2491 A Pratt and Whitney PT6A-20 being unpacked from it's shipping container, the
aircraft in which it is eventually to go in. The Porter with cowls open and about to lose its engine. The Porter engineless and the engine on the ground.

Scene 124
2492-2495 Sgt Geoff' Stork" Deacon and Cpl Johnny Crawford working on the new engine.

Scene 125
2495-2501 TULS wandering around the workshop.

Scene 126
2502-2503 A Sioux coming in.

Scene 127
2503-2512 Cpl James Rasmussen playing with TULS on the hangar apron

Scene 128
2512-2520 Cfn Colin Pugh playing with TULS then Jimmy Rasmussen plays with her.

Scene 129
2520-2536 A Vista looking from the hangar door panning from left to right, across the PAP apron area, the wash point and a Cessna 180 swing across to the distant Dust Bowl and then the empty revetments and onto the parking area and refuelling point. There three Sioux parked and the pilot rolling up his sleeves while walking is Capt. Ken Cairns. Then there is two Porters and a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog of the US Army.

Scene 130
2537-2546 Cfn Bruce Cairnes working on the front of the Porter while off to the right Sgt Geoff Deacon works on the PT6A-20 engine with Russell Gordon giving pointers, while Johnny Crawford directs the work while holding the crane still.

Scene 131
2546-2553 The engine change being completed; now time to see how good we were. Cpl Johnny Crawford at the controls, clear to start, Clear, hit the starter and away she goes.

Scene 132
2554-2598 Aerial view of the roads and villages around Nui Dat taking in the vast rice paddy fields and the delta area. View of what is probably the Baria cemetery.

Scene 133
2599-2620 Approaching Nui Dat, flying over Task force HQ, Kanga pad and the water tower swinging round to approach Luscombe Field.

Scene 134
2621-161 Recce flt go-cart races up and down the airstrip, last run against a Sioux the go-cart was clocked at 105 MPH

Scene 135
A Sioux flying over

Scene 136
Unknown Vietnamese Scout troop, being inspected by some officer and Priests

Scene 137
Unknown Vietnamese officer partially cutting a ribbon, an Australian Army officer cutting a bit
more of the ribbon and finally a Priest cutting the ribbon and opening a event/orphanage?
Handing out gifts and lollies, a Warrant Officer being feted by the Vietnamese.

Scene 138
2176-2745 A Saigon Guard detail, looking out from the front post bunker .

Scene 139
2745-2747 Fred Hardidge at the gun position Saigon Guard

Scene 140
2748-2750 Kevin Thrush at the gun position Saigon guard

Scene 141
2750-2780 Saigon views

Scene 142
2781-2785 Robert Harper 'POP' Gardner doing his share of guarding

Scene 143
2785-2820 Saigon views

Scene 144
2821-2849 Bob Gardner travelling by tri-shaw

Scene 145
2849-2853 Walking towards the camera left Kevin Thrush, Right Bob Gardner, sight seeing in Saigon

Scene 146
2853-2954 Kevin Thrush and a Vietnamese guide then Bob Gardner with the guide

Scene 147
2954-2975 Saigon Zoo

Scene 148
2975-3045 Saigon water front

Scene 149
3045-3070 Tan San Nhut Airport Saigon

Scene 141
3100-3400 R & R in Hong Kong

Film order form
  • Part 1 Video of Bob Gardner's Vietnam: [161 Independent Reconnaissance Flight, 1970-1971] (video)
  • Part 2 Video of Bob Gardner's Vietnam: [161 Independent Reconnaissance Flight, 1970-1971] (video)
  • Part 3 Video of Bob Gardner's Vietnam: [161 Independent Reconnaissance Flight, 1970-1971] (video)
  • Part 4 Video of Bob Gardner's Vietnam: [161 Independent Reconnaissance Flight, 1970-1971] (video)
  • Part 5 Video of Bob Gardner's Vietnam: [161 Independent Reconnaissance Flight, 1970-1971] (video)