The Vietnam Era

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:18 pm

Manoora and Kanimbla were purchased purely to introduce a capability (that could be replaced). Their in service life is a testament to naval personnel who had had their skill training gutted but still got them to sea.

Mick Hamilton · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 1:13 am

I was not intending to be derogatory to whoever did the hull surveys, be it John or George and Henry. What my point was, it was I was lead to believe by "those who know" (nothing probably) that they were hoodwinked and the hulls selected were not the ones delivered. Correct me if I have been wrong for so long.

I know all mentioned and believe that all were professional shipwrights who knew their shit and not easily conned.

I understand that both ships were an interim stop gap capability, however, the amount of money poured into both to regain an amphibious capability almost cost the same as new platforms albeit they were introduced into service much quicker (Navy Office pragmatism).

We are now digressing a bit off topic I suspect and don't want to incur the wrath of the moderators. :wink2:

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2015 10:02 pm

So, we can look forward to the papers being released (make a bet they are somewhat sanitised).............

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2015 8:01 pm

Here is truly a 'must see'... The ADFA ED team have put together this brilliant website :type:

Australia's Vietnam War :salute1:

Wayne · **Posted:** Tue Jun 23, 2015 2:27 am

Iron Butterfly

The true story of an elite group of men who wrote a page in Naval history. They patrolled the waterways in thirty-one foot river patrol boats powered by Detroit diesel engines with water jet-propulsion. Armed with machineguns and grenade launchers, as well as sheer guts and determination, these sailors faced danger around every bend in the river. Working together, they became one of the finest weapons in Admiral Zumwalt's arsenal for turning back the tide of communist infiltration into Saigon, taking control of the inland waterways. These are true accounts of their bravery, which they proved time and again by spearheading operations into enemy controlled territory. United together in brotherhood, they accomplished all their missions and won their part of the Vietnam War.

Seejay · **Posted:** Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:06 am

A long overdue story Wayne. :ok:

Seejay · **Posted:** Wed Jul 01, 2015 1:05 pm

This is the website of a great online radio specifically for Vietnam Veterans.
It only plays music from the Vietnam War Period 24hrs a day (No ads) interspersed with actual clips from
American Forces Radio Vietnam during the war years (and even has "Chicken Man" three times a day).
Brings back lots of memories

http://vietnamvetradio.com/

Seejay · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2015 8:45 am

For those who served on or with the Ferry: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=74 ... =2&theater

DirtyDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2015 9:19 pm

Bloody well done

I was on her for that trip

Nice Picture of Skipper Nobby Clark, dam fine officer

Recognised a few faces

Lost an Army Pilot mate in that spotter plane three days after they unloaded her at Vung Tau

many many memories

Seejay · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2015 10:13 pm

I did the same trip Charlie, and yes, Nobby was a real Skipper. :ok:

One of those 4 spotter planes is actually in the AWM annex in north Canberra, saw it there in 2006. Sad event when your mate's plane got shot down.

The Vietnam Era

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