Airboat Christmas present

[junglecat]

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.

[SwampNinja]

Awesome. Tell me all about it when you're done.

[junglecat]

Photo of one of the airboats.

[JB550]

Good stuff Reed.

[OLD MAN JONES]

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.

[Olf Art]

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!

[RJ]

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.

[junglecat]

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.

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.

[kwanjangnihm]

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.