This is a picture of the 184th RAC maintenance
hangar under re-construction sometime after
a VC mortar attack that occurred during the 1968 TET offensive. The hanger
was designed, engineered
and constructed by then CPT Forrest Faulkner Nonstop 24 in 1967. This
project was not one
authorized by the Army, rather one undertaken to provide a place whereby
maintenance could
be performed in some reasonable setting. The direct hit on the hanger
destroyed one or more
aircraft. Also note that the O1-G model, 223 as we knew it, has a
different tail marking than the
original markings established when the unit first came in country. Also
note the CS Gas pods which
came to be used after 1967. This aircraft was picked up at the factory by
the original members of
the 184th in 1966. The bird looks good despite the obvious wear and tear
of many combat missions.
Photo provided by Jim Taylor Nonstop 38 68-69|
___________________________________
Comments by Forrest Faulkner Nonstop 24 who built the hanger
|
As
I now recall, the hanger was built using a framework of 21' solid
Filipino Mahogany beams, that were so hard we had to use borrowed
air saws and chain saws to cut them. They wereprocured from
alternate resources.It was also very difficult to drive those 21
penny bridge spikes into the beams as well. The 2 small VC
carpenters, that worked for us, could do it though, all day long,
using 2 lb hammers.We were able to make a 48' clear span throughout
the hanger with 20' high walls that could accommodate up to 6 "dawgs"
at one time. |
