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(More customer reviews)VIETNAM CHOPPERS: HELICOPTERS IN BATTLE, 1950-1975-REVISED EDITION
SIMON DUNSTAN
OSPREY PUBLISHING, 2003
QUALITY SOFTCOVER, $26.95, 211 PAGES, PHOTOGRAPHS, DIAGRAMS, CHARTS, APPENDICESThis book is the second remarkable effort by a very able author and historian toward capturing and recording the role of one of the major arms of service during the Vietnam War-the helicopter. His introductory chapter summarizes early helicopter employment in Korea, Indo-China, Malaya, Algeria, and Borneo, actions which are studied in detail by U.S. Army personnel who had the necessary vision to look to the future. It is of some interest to note that the story of "Vietnam choppers" actually commenced about two years prior to the studies by the Howze Board and the formation of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) in February, 1963 which marked the birth of the "sky cavalry". The story began on 1 November 1961, when the 57th and 8th Transportation Companies (Light Helicopter) from Ft. Lewis, Washington and Ft. Bragg, North Carolina were alerted for deployment to an unknown destination. The destination was Vietnam and the author covers literally the full spectrum of operations from that first deployment of over a quarter century ago to the final, tragic, and pitiful agonies of the American effort in Vietnam. Dunstan's book is both technical and tactical in content. The major capabilities and limitations of each type of helicopter are addressed in detail and for the military or civilian reader who maybe interested in what was done, how, and where, methods of employment, tactics, and techniques are carefully described. We learn of the organization and evolution of the helicopter units of various types within the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps as well as their capabilities and limitations in action are well covered. The author offers an excellant treatise on the logistical role of the helicopter and his section on medical evacuation is superb. Perhaps the most unique aspect is contained in the combat after-action reports which the author has expertly woven into his account. One can't read the accounts of "Mad Man" Kelly, Gary Wetzel, or Chief Warrant Officer Novisel without a clear recognition of the incredible professionalism, sense of duty, and dedication of the thousands of helicopter crews who experienced Vietnam. The actions selected here were "above and beyond the call of duty", but are representative of all the crews who did their duty in the most frustrating and complex combat environment yet faced by the American military. Recognition must also be given to the more senior soldiers who broke the "helicopter trail". Here we remember those early pioneers Hamilton Howze, Robert Williams, Jay Vanderpool, Phil Seneff, Harry Kinnard, Jim Smith, Delk Oden, and Bob Shoemaker. These fine soldiers wee closely followed by those who were called "operators", refining and modifying the earlier pioneer work: men such as Archie Clapp, Bill Maddox, Kit Sinclair, Jim Patterson, Charlie Canedy, Bob Molinelli, Ben Harrison, and Doc Bahnsen. All these great personalities and many more too numerous to mention, had indirectly contributed to the work of this outstanding account, and their influence in the maturing of air mobility for ground combat forces as frequently shown throughout this text.Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida Guard
Orlando, Florida
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The Vietnam War proved the combat potential and capabilities of the modern helicopter. The combination of swiftly deployable attack helicopters, such as the AH-1G Cobra, and more robust transport aircraft in medical evacuation, fire support and fire suppression roles, allowed for a revision of battlefield tactics. This long-awaited revised edition of Simon Dunstan's classic reference work provides a comprehensive guide to the many models employed during the war and the tactics used. This title includes new data and photographs.
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