Even More Memory Joggers From Ben Shuppert
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It was sometimes necessary during aerial combat to "clean-up" the aircraft to make it more maneuverable, and thus more survivable. The pilot could release his bombs, bomb racks, and external gas tanks so that he could more fairly compete with an enemy aircraft or missile. These unplanned releases often resulted in these things coming forcefully to earth and causing "collateral damage" which could not be avoided. The news press of the day frequently delighted in stating that a civil target had been purposefully targeted, when in fact it was often these jettisoned objects falling on them rather than an intentional attack. On rare occasions they did not completely release and the pilot would be forced to return to Takhli with them still hanging on the aircraft. These photos show a fuel tank that decided to let go when almost home to Takhli. Ben went on a helicopter mission to recover it. He says the Thai villagers near where it fell were disappointed the USAF wanted it back, they planned to use it for a communal stock watering trough after cutting it in two.|
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A view of the tiny farm village close to where the wing tank impacted. Fortunately it was remote enough that no one was injured. |
Villagers, probably a little overwhelmed by all this strange activity. First the tank falls, then a helicopter and crew shows up looking for it. This would have been a typical Thai farm and family of that time. |
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Villagers and the 20,000 lbs capacity fuel tank which dropped. It is in remarkably good shape. Apparently it was empty or it would have disintegrated on impact. This one must have just slid along until it stopped. Ben says they had already made plans for this "gift". They intended to hacksaw it in half and have two stock watering troughs. However, they were compensated and probably had enough money to buy two troughs with some left over. |
On the return to the base Ben took this shot of Takhli from a distance and the surrounding Thai plain. The area around Takhli was mostly flat rice farms interspersed with limestone mountains and huge trees. The dark objects at the top are the tail fins of the Pedro helicopter. |
