Combat Talon C-130s in the Son Tay Prison Raid

Dave Richardson shares the results of his long-running research into the configuration, colours and marking of the two ‘Skyhook’ C-130E(I) aircraft used on the Son Tay prison raid in North Vietnam in 1970. These special ops USAF Hercules were part of a small fleet which developed into the better-known Combat Talon MC-130E, tasked with covert infiltration and exfiltration behind enemy lines.
Dave has held a fascination for the Combat Talon for over forty years and wrote an article in APMA magazine in 1983. However, by way of a sort of ‘prequel’ to the APMA article, for the last two years He has researched the subject of the earlier Son Tay ‘Skyhook’ Hercules from a modeller’s point of view, using de-classified (and some not quite de-classified!) information, together with input from organisations which modified the aircraft and even the personal experiences of aircrew who flew on the raid. In the process, discovered just how ground-breaking this raid was in terms of its bold planning, courageous night flying and use of new technology.
In the presentation, uses photos, diagrams and scale drawings to illustrate his plans to convert a Zvezda 1:72 C-130 into an accurate replica of the unique Son Tay Skyhooks.
This presentation was part of the ACTSMS Monthly Meeting on Wednesday 8 May 2024.

[@normanlong2191]

Congratulations David that is a fascinating subject and has a lot of appeal to those who admire the C-130 and the many and varied uses it was put to , and still is ! cheers