Airboat Christmas present
Airboat Christmas present
Kids got me a airboat related Christmas present : a book " The Bamboo Shoot , the story of the 2nd Airboat Platoon, 9th Infantry Division." .
The introduction of airboats in 1967 to the Vietnam War.
16' x 4.5' fiberglass boats with 4 cylinder Lycomings . They had m60 machine guns mounted on bow and were built in Auburndale by the Hurricane Fiberglass Company / Aircat Division owned by Gordon Reynolds.
The introduction of airboats in 1967 to the Vietnam War.
16' x 4.5' fiberglass boats with 4 cylinder Lycomings . They had m60 machine guns mounted on bow and were built in Auburndale by the Hurricane Fiberglass Company / Aircat Division owned by Gordon Reynolds.
Jungle Cat2 2012 Panther Thunder 14'x7'9"/ LiL John Rigging
Larry Smith built 427 SBC
2.68 Ox Box
82" 3 blade R
Citrus County Airboat Alliance Member
Larry Smith built 427 SBC
2.68 Ox Box
82" 3 blade R
Citrus County Airboat Alliance Member
- SwampNinja
- Southern Airboat Member
- Posts: 1137
- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:58 am
- Location: Davie, FL
Re: Airboat Christmas present
Photo of one of the airboats.
- Attachments
-
- image.jpg (29.32 KiB) Viewed 1830 times
Jungle Cat2 2012 Panther Thunder 14'x7'9"/ LiL John Rigging
Larry Smith built 427 SBC
2.68 Ox Box
82" 3 blade R
Citrus County Airboat Alliance Member
Larry Smith built 427 SBC
2.68 Ox Box
82" 3 blade R
Citrus County Airboat Alliance Member
- JB550
- Site Supporter - IV
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:35 pm
- Location: Somewhere in a fl. swamp
Re: Airboat Christmas present
Good stuff Reed.
-
- Site Supporter - VIII
- Posts: 493
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:16 pm
- Location: WCA-3-B
- Contact:
Re: Airboat Christmas present
S.R.A.P. played a huge part in the Mekong.
Those were some of the bravest of our soldiers, undoubtedly it was like a turkey shoot on both ends of the barrel.
Those were some of the bravest of our soldiers, undoubtedly it was like a turkey shoot on both ends of the barrel.
LIVING FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR EVERGLADES..
WWW.MACKSFISHCAMP.COM A traditional cultural Gladesman property.
WWW.MACKSFISHCAMP.COM A traditional cultural Gladesman property.
-
- Site Supporter - VIII
- Posts: 11851
- Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 6:33 pm
- Location: Plant City, FL
Re: Airboat Christmas present
Those "cowlings" around the engine were actually shields to protect the motor from enemy small arms fire.
I was there in '67, but only caught a glimpse of them once, from the air.
Lookin forward to your book report, Rick!
I was there in '67, but only caught a glimpse of them once, from the air.
Lookin forward to your book report, Rick!

"I know not what tomorrow may bring, but I know Who brings tomorrow."
Member: KRVSA, FAA, TAA, and life member NRA and VFW
Member: KRVSA, FAA, TAA, and life member NRA and VFW
Re: Airboat Christmas present
I believe that boat is a 17'x 7' Aircat with a factory new 250 hp six cylinder Lycoming (Hurricane Fiberglass Co) owned by Gordon Reynolds and James Combee was the main production man and an aircraft mechanic.
Re: Airboat Christmas present
Book says first were 16'x 4'.5" although look wider , with 180 4 cylinder. Came with 50 cal on bow but it was too heavy and would roll boat over if fired while running. They changed to m60 after delivery.RJ wrote:I believe that boat is a 17'x 7' Aircat with a factory new 250 hp six cylinder Lycoming (Hurricane Fiberglass Co) owned by Gordon Reynolds and James Combee was the main production man and an aircraft mechanic.
Jungle Cat2 2012 Panther Thunder 14'x7'9"/ LiL John Rigging
Larry Smith built 427 SBC
2.68 Ox Box
82" 3 blade R
Citrus County Airboat Alliance Member
Larry Smith built 427 SBC
2.68 Ox Box
82" 3 blade R
Citrus County Airboat Alliance Member
- kwanjangnihm
- Site Supporter - IV
- Posts: 1950
- Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:23 pm
- Location: Bartow FL
Re: Airboat Christmas present
more info and pics here on SA: http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB3/v ... hp?t=33779
South Vietnam, April 17, 1968: A 9th Infantry Division airboat glides through the water near Nha Be, an area said to be used by the Viet Cong in organizing attacks on Saigon. The airboats, which could travel at speeds up to 40 knots, were used in shallow waters similar to those where the boats are most commonly found, in Florida's Everglades.

South Vietnam, April 17, 1968: A 9th Infantry Division airboat glides through the water near Nha Be, an area said to be used by the Viet Cong in organizing attacks on Saigon. The airboats, which could travel at speeds up to 40 knots, were used in shallow waters similar to those where the boats are most commonly found, in Florida's Everglades.

" I don't care who you are back in the world, you give away our position one more time, I'll bleed ya, real quiet. Leave ya here. Got that? "