And . . . we're finished !
VPAF (North Vietnamese Air Force) Nanchang Y-5 transport, modified as a nocturnal nuisance raider, Vietnam, 1977.
In order to carry out their new role as nocturnal nuisance raiders, the aircraft received modifications. Racks were fitted under the wings for the carriage of small bombs, dropped at random for their surpise and shock effect, rather than their destructive power. The cabin windows were painted over, exept for one each side, which had the glazing removed, to allow guns to be fired, and grenades to be thrown, out of them.
A large exhaust pipe was also fitted, to muffle the engine noise, and increase the surprise of the attacks. Later missions however, were flown with the exhaust pipe fitted with a resonator, to
increase the noise, as it had been discovered that the sound of the aircraft droning overhead was the most disturbing aspect of the mission.
On these later missions, the aircraft did not carry bombs, instead, a crew member would throw flashbang grenades out of the cabin window, as the Y-5 flew over an Allied Firebase.
Intensely annoying, the sleep-deprived Allied soldiers referred to these Y-5s as 'Skeeters' . . .
That's All, Folks . . .
cheers,
Robin.
