Aircraft of the Vietnam War

THIS YEAR AT EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, we’re commemorating the 50th anniversary of the official end of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam — honoring the remarkable aircraft of the era, the nearly 60,000 American troops who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war, and the thousands of Vietnam veterans who served their country valiantly in Southeast Asia. We’re expecting to have a strong presence of Vietnam War-era aircraft at AirVenture Oshkosh this summer to honor those who fought in the jungles of

Vietnam half a century ago. While many of the mostfamous aircraft from Vietnam have only one or two flying examples left (if any at all), we anticipate a number of the following aircraft, either still serving on active duty or in private hands as warbirds, will potentially make an appearance at AirVenture. Note: Not all of these aircraft will attend Oshkosh this year, nor at the time of this writing do we know definitively which ones will be attending, so keep your eyes open as you wander the grounds.

LOCKHEED C-5 GALAXY

INTRODUCED IN THE midst of the Vietnam War in 1970, the C-5 is the largest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force fleet. Used primarily for its strategic airlift capability, the C-5 was designed to replace the C-133 and complement the C-141. During Vietnam, C-5s transported equipment and troops, including Army tanks and small aircraft, during the later years of U.S. involvement. Currently the Air Force operates the C-5M, which is expected to serve until 2040 and beyond.

GRUMMAN E-2 HAWKEYE

DEVELOPED AS A carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft, the twin-turboprop E-2 Hawkeye entered service for the U.S. Navy just prior to the outbreak of the Vietnam War, in 1964, and continues to serve today. The Hawkeye was designed to replace the piston-engined E-1 Tracer. The first deployment for the E-2 was in 1965 aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). The Hawkeye served as the electronic eyes of the U.S. Navy fleet during the war.

CESSNA O-1 BIRD DOG

ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED THE L-19, the O-1 Bird Dog was developed from the Cessna 170, introduced in 1950, and used as a liaison and observation aircraft by the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. By the early 1960s, the Bird Dog was beginning to see use in Southeast Asia. During the war it was used primarily for reconnaissance, forward air control of tactical aircraft, target acquisition, and artillery adjustment, among other purposes. The O-1 was eventually supplanted by the O-2 and OV-10 in the Air Force and Marine Corps, though the Army operated it through the war before its retirement in 1974.

BOEING KC-135 STRATOTANKER

ENTERING SERVICE IN 1957, the KC-135 was developed alongside the Boeing 707 airliner from the 367-80 prototype. As the U.S. Air Force’s first jet-powered refueling tanker, the Stratotanker was designed to replace the KC-97. During Vietnam, the KC-135’s value became apparent, as it was essential in refueling U.S. fighters and bombers, including the F-4 and B-52, which greatly expanded their range and ability to stay at the front. Although the new KC-46 is designed to replace the KC-135, the Stratotanker is expected to serve until 2030.