sailors attached to Marine Infantry Units in Nam

[pinzgauer]

I had a great uncle who was a TEC-4 (radio operator) who had to swim rough surf as he landed on Utah beach with the Tough 'Ombres (90th ID) with a 30lb SCR-300 field radio on his back. How far radio tech has come . . .

That kind of puts it in perspective, the PRC-25s and 77s were just under 20 lbs in a typical config and were much more effective radios. 1.5-2 watts, 60 hr batter life, etc.

SCR-300 was 32-38 lbs with battery, and was 0.3 watts. 18 tubes. Heavy batteries.

I keep my PRC-77 parked on 51.0 just waiting on a call. And monitor the low band vhf mil base tower freqs close by, though it has virtually no traffic. Also have a couple of SEM-35's, German equiv to the PRC-77. Heavier, beautifully made. Has the advantage of also doing 10m ham bands, which the PRC's can't really. (though there was a trick you could get some into 10m)

[pinzgauer]

The most fascinating aspect of the "Brown Water Navy" was really army, the PACV's (Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle) hovercraft.

Very effective in VN Game Warden. I've seen the last remaining one 1st hand at Ft Eustis transpo museum in VA. It's worth a stop if in the area. Have a bunch of marine/amphib stuff as well. (LARC's, etc).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrol...ushion_Vehicle

[pinzgauer]

Better PACV pic:
image215.jpg

[Moose-Knuckle]

The most fascinating aspect of the "Brown Water Navy" was really army, the PACV's (Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle) hovercraft.

Very effective in VN Game Warden. I've seen the last remaining one 1st hand at Ft Eustis transpo museum in VA. It's worth a stop if in the area. Have a bunch of marine/amphib stuff as well. (LARC's, etc).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrol...ushion_Vehicle

Those are, err were badass.


I played with one of these growing up:

[chuckman]

My uncle retired Navy SeaBees, 30 years, 1950-1980, retired EOCS. 2 tours in VN, established US base in Diego Garcia, was NCOIC of the permanent military detachment at Camp David.

[wetidlerjr]

During my year in Vietnam ('68-'68) at Danang AB as a Marine Air Deliveryman (AKA: Rigger), I never knew of any Navy personnel attached to any Marine unit other than a Corpsman. Also, I have never heard of it being done but like all things "Never say never."