135th Aviation Company Flight from Ft. Benning to Qui Hhon, RVN
(Thanks to Roy G. Little, CW4 Ret.)
 
I went to Vietnam in Jan 1966 with the 135th Avn. Co.  I was a crew chief (SP/5) at that time.  We left Ft Benning around Jan 3 ,1966.   I found a card in an old scrap book that had the last four and the name of the aircraft when we left Ft. Benning.  I don't know if any were changed in the year we were in V.N. 

If I remember correctly we left with 21 Aircraft.   I had 18 Aircraft with numbers and names on the card I found.   I don't remember what a standard Avn. Co. had in it.   I do remember that we had some spare aircraft for other companies and also spare pilots. We left with Three pilots and two CEs on each aircraft and every third AC had a special navigation equpt.  I think it was a type of Loran 
 
The flight route to Vietnam as I remember:    Benning, San Francisco, Honolulu, Johnston Atoll, Midway, Wake, Guam, Philippines, Qui Nhon. It took us around 21 Days from Benning to Qui Nhon. It was a fun flight for a 23 year old SP/5 who had been in the Army for a little over 2 years. 

We Lost two aircraft during that year one flew into bad weather and crashed The AC of that aircraft was Capt. John Clayton, with Sp/6 Arnold Pearson CE, copilot was Capt. Antony Korpics USAF, and the other CE was Tsgt Yates USAF.   The other aircraft we lost was a Lolex accident with no Injures as far as I know. 
 
Listed below are the numbers I have.  With Names I have I think it is accurate. I hope this helps  Roy G. Little    CW4  Ret. 
 
4144-     Missouri Mule 
4145-     Colt 45 
4150-     The Hangover 
4154-     N.A.A.C.P.Flt.105 
4155-     Step And Fetchit 
4156-     #100 Proof 
4157-     Brand "X" 
4158-     Jody 
4159-     Lake Charles Lady 
4160-     Clementine 
4162-     Nutcracker 
4170-     Dragon Lady 
4179-     Little Annie Fannie 
4181-     Go Go Gal! 
4184-     Wanda 
4188-     The Ruptured Duck 
4189-     "F" Troop Leader 
2584-      Hoppin Jon        I was assist. crew chief on this aircraft when we flew to Vietnam the Pacific,  The CE was SP/6 Gerald Reed.

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