ROYAL LAO AIR FORCE SIKORSKY UH-34Ds...ROYAL LAO AIR FORCE: SIKORSKY UH-34Ds by Dr. Joe F. Leeker...

ROYAL LAO AIR FORCE: SIKORSKY UH-34Ds by Dr. Joe F. Leeker

First published on 4 March 2013, last updated on 24 August 2015

A RLAF UH-34D maintained at Udorn in October 1973, with the wreck of

Air America S-58T XW-PHD in the foreground, taken by Ward S. Reimer

(with kind permission from Ward S. Reimer)

According to Bowers, The USAF in South-East Asia. Tactical Airlift, p. 454, Air

America’s UH-34Ds were all nominally furnished to the Royal Lao Air Force, but flown,

maintained and controlled by Air America. This is confirmed by Peter Liebchen (MAP Aid to

Laos 1959-1972) who, from the very beginning, says that the UH-34Ds flown by Air

America were operated on behalf of the Royal Lao Air Force (pp.17, 31) and so includes

them in his statistics of MAP aircraft supplied to Laos: During Fiscal Year 1962 (1 July 61-

30 June 62), a total of 25 UH-34Ds were in the RLAF inventory, “operated by Air America

under contract” (Liebchen, p.152). The same statement is repeated for FY 1963 (Liebchen,

p.154). “In mid-1964, the United States turned over a single H-34 to Laos, for which the

RLAF had three qualified pilots” (Conboy / Morrison, Shadow war, p.374 note 14). The first

time that UH-34Ds not operated by Air America are mentioned for the RLAF is in FY 1966

(1 July 65-30 June 66), when 2 out of 24 UH-34Ds delivered thru the MAP Laos program are

shown to be operated by the RLAF’s Composite Squadron at Savannakhet (Liebchen, p.160).

In FY 1967 (1 July 66-30 June 67), we have even 5 UH-34Ds in the RLAF’s Composite

Squadron at Savannakhet (Liebchen, p.163), and after the reorganization of the Royal Lao

Air Force, we find 5 RLAF UH-34Ds with the 1st Fighter Wing based at Luang Prabang and

4 more with the 2nd Fighter Wing based at Vientiane in FY 1968 (1 July 67-30 June 68),

making a total of 9 UH-34Ds in RLAF service (Liebchen, p.165). On 31 December 67, 10 out

of 35 UH-34Ds active in Laos were with the RLAF, the remaining 25 were with Air America

(Liebchen, p.54). In Fiscal Year 1969 (1 July 68-30 June 69), we even have a total of 16 UH-

34Ds in RLAF service: 4 with the 101st Composite Squadron at Luang Prabang, 4 with the

102nd Composite Squadron at Vientiane, 4 with the 103rd Composite Squadron at

Savannakhet, and 4 with the 104th Composite Squadron at Pakse (Liebchen, p.167). On 31

December 68, 22 UH-34Ds flown in Laos were operated by Air America and 12 helicopters

were controlled and operated by the RLAF (Liebchen, p.66). On 31 December 69, 28 UH-

34Ds flown in Laos were operated by Air America and 14 UH-34Ds were controlled and

operated by the RLAF (Liebchen, p.82). In FY 1970, the total number of UH-34Ds in service

with the Royal Lao Air Force was still 14 – with 3 of them based at Luang Prabang, 7 at

Vientiane, 2 at Savannakhet, and 2 at Pakse (Liebchen, p.169). On 31 December 70, 30 UH-

34Ds flown in Laos were operated by Air America and 17 UH-34Ds were controlled and

operated by the RLAF (Liebchen, p.100). “By January 1972, there were 54 UH-34Ds in the

MASF (Military Assistance Service Funded) Laos inventory. Thirty-eight of these helicopters

were operational, with 17 being used by the RLAF in-country (one by the UH-34D MTT [=

Mobile Training Team] at Udorn) and 21 by Air America under contract. The remaining 16

were in storage as attrition replacements” (Liebchen, p.110). By 30 June 1972, the Military

Assistance Program for Laos had provided a total of 93 UH-34Ds to both Air America and

the RLAF, of which 41 were still active and 8 more in non-flyable storage as replacements

for future accidents (Liebchen, p.179).

Air America’s repair facility at Udorn, Thailand, also maintained the UH-34Ds of the

Royal Lao Air Force, which came in on a periodical basis. After maintenance, the aircraft

were test flown at Udorn by Air America pilots. The following RLAF UH-34Ds are listed in

official Air America papers as “supported and maintained by Air America, Udorn”.

Statistics:

From National Archives sources, the following details of MAP Grant Aid deliveries to Laos

were submitted to the author by Sid Nanson (e-mail dated 30 May 2013, kindly sent by Sid

Nanson to Paul Oelkrug who forwarded it to me); it should be noted, however, that these are

deliveries that were programmed – they may not necessarily have taken place that way:

UH-34D

21 HUS-1's received 3rd quarter FY 61 (1 Jan 1961-31 Mar 1961) – in reality, these were Air

America aircraft

2 HUS-1's received 4th quarter FY 61 (1 Apr 1961-30 June 1961)

2 HUS-1's received 3rd quarter FY 62 (1 Jan 1962-31 Mar 1962)

3 CH/UH-34 received 1st quarter FY 64 (1 July 1963-30 Sep 1963)

7 UH-34D received in FY 68 (1 July 67-30 June 68)

9 UH-34Ds received in FY 69 (1 July 68-30 June 69)

3 UH-34D/G received in FY 70 (1 July 69-30 June 70)

20 UH-34D/G received in FY 71 (1 July 70-30 June 71)

Also coming from National Archives sources, the following details of attrition for the RLAF

were submitted to the author by Sid Nanson (e-mail dated 30 May 2013, kindly sent by Sid

Nanson to Paul Oelkrug who forwarded it to me):

RLAF UH-34D UH-34D, 8 (6 Combat, 2 Operational) attrition in FY 68 (1 July 67-30 June 68)

UH-34D, 3 (Combat) attrition in FY 69 (1 July 68-30 June 69)

UH-34D/G, 6, (2 Combat, 3 Operational, 1 Other) attrition in FY 70 (1 July 69-30 June 70)

UH-34D/G, 5 (3 Combat, 1 Operational, 1 Other) attrition in FY 71 (1 July 70-30 June 71)

The problem with these numbers is that Air America UH-34Ds were also in the same

program, so may in part be included in the numbers given above. One H-34 seems to have

defected to the Communists in September 1970 (Conboy / Morrison, Shadow war, p.374,

note 19).

The individual aircraft histories:

Type registration / serial c/n (msn) date acquired origin____________

UH-34D “1332” 58.985 25 May 64 ex Air America H-17

and USCG 1332

Previous history: UH-34D USCG 1332 was with Air America as early as 6 January

64 (Log book of E. Munsell, in: UTD/Munsell/B3F24); for details about H-17 flying

with Air America see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf.

Service history: transferred to the Royal Lao Air Force as “1332” on 25 May 64

(Aircraft status as of 7 July 64, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); seen at Savannakhet on 8

September 65 (e-mail dated 8 August 2008, kindly sent to the author by Jon Pote); not

current with the RLAF on 1 January 72 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1

January 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “1335” 58.1056 1964/65 ex Air America H-18 and

USCG 1335

Previous history: UH-34D USCG 1335 was with Air America as H-18 as early as 2

December 63 (Log book of E. Munsell, in: UTD/Munsell/B3F24); still with Air

America in July 64 (Aircraft status as of 7 July 64, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1), but no

longer on 1 November 65 (Revised Status of Aircraft as of 1 November 65, in:

UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); for details about H-18 flying with Air America see my file

Air America UH-34D (second series) at


Service history: to the RLAF as “1335” in 1964/65; seen at Vientiane on 14

September 65 (e-mail dated 8 August 2008, kindly sent to the author by Jon Pote); not

current with the RLAF on 1 January 72 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1

January 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5 microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “1335” was reportedly lost in Laos on 23 June 1966 (“Aircraft

All Loss by Tail number”, pages 135-287, no date, Folder 15, Box 10, Garnett Bell

Collection, The Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University, details kindly sent to the

author by Sid Nanson on 30 May 2011).

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf


RLAF UH-34D “4638” at Vientiane in 1971, taken by Dan Gamelin

(with kind permission from Dan Gamelin)

UH-34D “4638” 58.538 20 Feb. 66 ex Air America H-28

and BuA 144638

Previous history: BuA 144638 was with Air America as H-28 as early as on 13

October 65 (Chronological account, in: UTD/CIA/B58F6); for details about H-28



Service history: transferred to the Royal Lao AF as “4638” on 20 February 66

(Aircraft status as of 8 April 66, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); in use at Udorn (for

local tests only?) on 17 October 68 and 13 April 70 (Log book of D. Keele, in:

UTD/Keele/B1F6; Log book of E. Munsell, in: UTD/Munsell/B3F24; type not given);

believed to be this Royal Lao AF UH-34D test flown after maintenance; still current

with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in:

UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “9320” 58.1415 1967? ex Air America H-12

and BuA 149320

Previous history: Air America received BuA 149320 at Bangkok on 20 December

61, when it became H-12; bailed from USMC (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to

Sept. 1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); for details about H-12 with Air America see

my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; still with Air

America on 29 March 67 (XOXO of 29 March 67, in: UTD/Hickler/B26F16).

Service history: transferred to the Royal Lao AF as “9320” in 1967?; still current

with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in:


Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “4637” 58.537 1967? ex SVNAF “44637”, Air

America H-27, and

BuA 144637

Previous history: BuA 144637 was with Air America as H-27 as early as 18

February 65 (Aircraft accidents 1965, in: UTD/CIA/B49F2); for details about H-27




http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; still with Air

America in May 66 (Aircraft status as of 4 May 66, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F2); then

reportedly to the South Vietnamese AF as “44637”, but this is probably wrong.

Service history: to the Royal Lao AF as “4637” in 1967?; current with the RLAF on

1 January 72 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72, in:

UTD/Bisson/B5 microfilm reel 24); still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of

assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no.

24); a photo can be seen in: Lundh, Sikorsky H-34, p. 93.

Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “5786” 58.964 1967/68 ex Air America H-34

and BuA 145786

Previous history: BuA 145786 was with Air America as H-34 in November 65

(Aircraft status as of 1 November 65, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1) and as late as 22

July 66 (XOXO of 22 July 66, in: UTD/Hickler/B26F16), but no longer on 1 May 68

(Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); for details about H-34 with Air

America see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at


Service history: to the Royal Lao AF as “5786” prior to 1 May 68; still current with

the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in:


Fate: unknown.


and BuA 145769

Previous history: BuA 145769, i.e. Air America H-35, was already covered by

contract no. AFAF62(531)-1841, Exhibit “B”, of 1 July 65 (in: UTD/Kaufman/B1F9);

for details about H-35 with Air America see my file Air America UH-34D (second

series) at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; still

with Air America on 25 March 67 (XOXO of 25 March 67, in: UTD/Hickler/

B26F16).

Service history: not current with Air America on 1 May 68 (Aircraft status as of 1

May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); to the Royal Lao AF as “5769” after 25 March 67;

current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1

June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5 microfilm reel 24); a photo can be seen in: Lundh,

Sikorsky H-34, p. 93.

Fate: unknown.


and BuA 154891

Previous history: BuA 154891 was transferred from the USMC to MAP on 20 May

67 (Nanson, USMC Helic. Disp.); to Air America as H-61 probably in September 67.

Service history: no longer with Air America on 1 May 68 (Aircraft status as of 1

May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); transferred to the Royal Lao AF as “4891” before March

68; damaged at Vientiane on 24 March 68 in a heavy thunderstorm (XOXO of 25

March 68, in: UTD/Hickler/B26F16); a photo can be seen in: Lundh, Sikorsky H-34,

p. 94.

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “4891” was reportedly lost in Laos on 3 or 9 December 1971

(“Aircraft All Loss by Tail number”, pages 135-287, no date, Folder 15, Box 10,

Garnett Bell Collection, The Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University, details kindly




sent to the author by Sid Nanson on 30 May 2011).


and BuA 145789

Previous history: BuA 145789 was not yet with Air America on 7 July 64 (Aircraft

status as of 7 July 64, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1), but made an emergency landing in

Laos on 12 August 65, when already H-21 with Air America (Aircraft accidents 1965,

in: UTD/CIA/B49F2); still current in May 66 (Aircraft status as of 4 May 66, in:

UTD/Hickler/ B1F2).


May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); had been transferred to the RLAF as “5789” in 1967/68.






and USMC BuA 145812

Previous history: BuA 145812 was not yet with Air America on 7 July 64 (Aircraft

status as of 7 July 64, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1), but in November 65, it was current

as H-29 (Aircraft status as of 1 November 65, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); for details

about the service with Air America see my file Air America UH-34D (second series)

at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; still with

Air America on 27 May 66 (XOXO of 27 May 66, in: UTD/Hickler/B26F16).

Service history: not current with Air America on 1 May 68 (Aircraft status as of 1

May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); transferred to the RLAF as “5812” in 1967/68.

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “5812” was reportedly lost in Laos on 16 January 1969




UH-34D “7167” 58.1083 1967 ex Air America H-37

and BuA 147167

Previous history: Air America H-37, BuA 147167 was already covered by contract

no. AFAF62(531)-1841, Exhibit “B”, of 1 July 65 (in: UTD/Kaufman/B1F9); for

details about the service with Air America see my file Air America UH-34D (second


with Air America on 22 December 66 (XOXO of 22 December 66, in:

UTD/Hickler/B26F16).

Service history: transferred to the RLAF as “7167” in 1967.

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “7167” was reportedly lost in Laos on 15 or 21 September 67




UH-34D “4890” 58.1800 1968 ex Air America H-60

and BuA 154890

Previous history: BuA 154890 was transferred from the USMC to MAP on 20 May

67 (Nanson, USMC Helic. Disp.); on 26 September 67, H-60 was ferried from

Bangkok (T-09) to Udorn (T-08) by E. Reid (pilot) and R. B. Serafino (mechanic);



during the flight, H-60 suffered engine backfire at coordinates PR 0566 and

autorotated into a rice paddy; the aircraft was repaired and ferried to Udorn the same

day (XOXOs of 26 Sept. 67, in: UTD/Hickler/B27F1).


May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); transferred to the Royal Lao Air Force as “4890” in

1968; an UH-34D serialled “4890” of an unknown owner was test flown at Udorn on

17 November 68 and on 14 August 69 (Log book of D. Keele, in: UTD/Keele/B1F6);

a Royal Lao A.F. UH-34D serialled “4890” was involved in an accident at Luang

Prabang (L-54) on 19 April 71, when it damaged airframe “A” (Accident report of 19

April 71, in: UTD/Anthony/F3; XOXO of 19 April 71, in: UTD/Hickler/B25F11);

still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1

June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24); test flown at Udorn by Harold F.

Miller on 25 June 73 (Crew member duty report of H. F. Miller, in:

UTD/Miller/B4F6).

Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “8807” 58.1392 1968 ex CIC-4, Air America

H-11, and BuA 148807

Previous history: Air America received BuA 148807 at Bangkok on 26 October 61,

when it became H-11, bailed from the USMC (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to

Sept. 1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); for details about the service with Air


http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; sold to the

Commission Internationale de Contrôle, Vientiane, as CIC-4 on 4 September 62.

Service history: test flown out of Udorn as “8807” on 16 December 68 (Log book of

D. Keele, in: UTD/Keele/B1F6); at Udorn on 27 September 69 (Crew member duty

report of H. F. Miller, in: UTD/Miller/B4F6; type not given); transferred to the Royal

Lao AF as “8807” in 1968, test flown after maintenance; a drawing of RLAF UH-34D

“8807” can be found in: Conboy, War in Laos, p. 32; still current with the RLAF on 1

January 72 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72, in:

UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel 24).

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “8807” was reportedly lost in Laos on 7 or 13 January 1972





and BuA 153702

Previous history: transferred by the USMC to MAP on 29 April 67 (Nanson, USMC

Helic. Disp.); assigned to Air America, Udorn as H-56 on 1 June 67, bailed from the

USMC (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); for details about the

service with Air America see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at


Service history: not current with Air America on 15 June 69 (F.O.C. of 15 June 69,

in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7B); transferred to the RLAF in 1968/69 as “3702”.

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “3702” was reportedly lost in Laos on 27 May 1971 (“Aircraft







and BuA 153704

Previous history: BuA 153704 was transferred from the USMC to MAP on 29 April

67 (Nanson, USMC Helic. Disp.); assigned to Air America, Udorn as H-58 on 1 June

67, bailed from USMC (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); for details


at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; still in use

with Air America 15-30 August 68 (F.O.C. of 15 Aug. 68, in: UTD/LaShomb/B14).

Service history: no longer with Air America on 15 June 69 (F.O.C. of 15 June 69, in:

UTD/Hickler/B8F7B); transferred to the Royal Lao Air Force as “3704” in 68/9; an

UH-34D serialled “3704” of an unknown owner was test flown at Udorn on 1 March

69 and at Savannakhet (L-39) on 10 September 69 (Log book of D. Keele, in:

UTD/Keele/B1F6).

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “3704” was reportedly lost in Laos on 10 May 1970 (“Aircraft



author by Sid Nanson on 30 May 2011); not current with the RLAF on 1 April 72

(List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 April 72, in: UTD/CIA/B49F2).

UH-34D “6592” 58.1814 June 1969 ex Air America H-65

and BuA 156592

Previous history: BuA 156592 was transferred from the USMC to MAP on 12

February 69 (Nanson, USMC Helic. Disp.); to Air America as H-65 in February 69,

bailed from the USMC.

Service history: not current with Air America on 15 June 69 (F.O.C. of 15 August

69, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7B); transferred to the RLAF as “6592” in June 1969.




author by Sid Nanson on 30 May 2011); not current with the RLAF on 1 April 72

(List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 April 72, in: UTD/CIA/B49F2).


RLAF UH-34D “5780” at Vientiane in the summer of 1973, used for skydiving

(with kind permission from MacAlan Thompson)

UH-34D “5780” 58.948 July/Aug. 69 ex Air America H-22

and BuA 145780

Previous history: BuA 145780 was assigned to Air America, Udorn as H-22 on 20

July 64, bailed from USMC (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); for

details about the service with Air America see my file Air America UH-34D (second


with Air America 16-30 June 69 (F.O.C. of 15 June 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7B).

Service history: no longer current with Air America on 15 August 69 (F.O.C. of 15

Aug. 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F1); transferred to the Royal Lao Air Force as “5780” in

July/August 69; still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5 microfilm reel 24); still

current in the summer of 1973 (photo taken by MacAlan Thompson, kindly forwarded

to the author).

Fate: taken over by the Air Force of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR)

in 1975; seen at Vientiane on 4 October 77 as “5780” (Telex no. 01391 dated 5

October 77 sent by the US Embassy, Vientiane, to the Secretary of State, Washington,

online at http://aad.archives.gov/aad/createpdf?rid=231599&dt=2532&dl=1629 ,

kindly sent to the author by Sid Nanson on 30 December 2014).

UH-34D “8805” 58.1390 July/Aug. 69 ex Air America H-48,

CIC-2, Air America

H-Y and BuA 148805


when it became H-Y, bailed from USMC (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to Sept.

1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); for details about the service with Air America as

H-Y see my file Air America UH-34D (first series) at


Commission Internationale de Contrôle, Vientiane, as CIC-2 on 4 September 62;

returned to Air America as H-48 on 29 March 67 (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in:

UTD/Herd/B2); for details about the service with Air America as H-48 see my file Air


http://aad.archives.gov/aad/createpdf?rid=231599&dt=2532&dl=1629


America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; current with

Air America 16-30 June 69 (F.O.Circular of 15 June 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7B).

Service history: not with Air America on 15 August 69 (F.O.C. of 15 Aug. 69, in:

UTD/Hickler/B1F1); transferred to the Royal Lao AF as “8805” in July/August 69;

this aircraft rolled down an incline and struck Air America Volpar N9671C at Long

Tieng (LS-20A), Laos, on 9 December 69 (XOXO of 9 Dec. 69, in: UTD/Hickler/

B25F9; Accident report, in: UTD/Hickler/B24F2); repaired; current with the RLAF at

least from 1 January 72 to 1 April 72, but no longer on 1 May 72 (Lists of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 May 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm

reel no. 24); a photo of “8805” can be seen in: Lundh, Sikorsky H-34, p. 94.

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “8805” was reportedly lost in Laos on 11 or 20 April 1972




UH-34D “9368” 58.1470 July/Aug. 69 ex Air America H-33

and BuA 149368

Previous history: assigned to Air America, Udorn as H-33 on 10 March 65 (Aircraft

status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); in use out of Udorn at least between 20

June 68 and 10 July 69 (Log book of D. Keele, in: UTD/Keele/B1F6; Log book of E.

Munsell, in: UTD/Munsell/B3F24); not current with Air America on 15 August 69

(F.O.C. of 15 Aug. 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F1).

Service history: transferred to the Royal Lao Air Force as “9368” in July/August 69;

listed as stored between 1 June 72 and 1 July 72, but current again on 1 August 72;

still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of

1 June 72 and 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: unknown.

RLAF “4647” being maintained by Air America at Udorn



UH-34D “4647” 58.578 1969 ? ex CIC-5, Air America H-

B and BuA 144647

Previous history: Air America received BuA 144647 at Bangkok on 20 December

60, when it came H-B, bailed from USMC (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to Sept.


H-B see my file Air America UH-34D (first series) at


Commission Internationale de Contrôle, Vientiane, as CIC-5 in May 1963; transferred

to the Commission Internationale de Contrôle, Laos, Vientiane, as CIC-5 on 27 May

63 (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to Sept. 1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1).

Service history: to the RLAF in 1969 as “4647” in 1969/70; at Udorn on 3 October

69 (Crew member duty report of H. F. Miller, in: UTD/Miller/B4F6; type not given);

although reportedly with the South Vietnamese AF, a photo of RLAF UH-34D

“4647” was taken at Pakse in 1970 and can be found at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60121715@N00/4048201232/in/photostream/ ; “4647”

was reportedly lost in Laos on 19 August 1971 (“Aircraft All Loss by Tail number”,

pages 135-287, no date, Folder 15, Box 10, Garnett Bell Collection, The Vietnam

Archive, Texas Tech University, details kindly sent to the author by Sid Nanson on 30

May 2011); not listed between January 72 and 1 October 72; listed 1 November 72 to

1 May 73 as “4647” as “Damage Repair”; in service again on 1 June 73 (Lists of

assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5,

microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “8806” 58.1391 69/70 ? ex CIC-3, Air America

H-Z, and BuA 148806


when it became H-Z, bailed from the USMC (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to

Sept. 1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); for details about the service with Air

America as H-Z see my file Air America UH-34D (first series) at


Commission Internationale de Contrôle, Vientiane, as CIC-3 on 4 September 62

(identity given in: “Helicopter identification”, in: UTD/Hickler/B26F19).

Service history: transferred to Royal Lao AF as “8806” in ?; not current with the

RLAF on 1 January 72 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72, in:


Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “6598” 58.1820 June 70 ex Air America H-76

and BuA 156598

Previous history: BuA 156598 was deactivated by the USMC on 13 July 69

(Nanson, USMC Helic. Disp.); not current with Air America on 15 August 69

(F.O.Circular of 15 August 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F1); in use with Air America as

H-76 at least between 1 September 69 and 26 June 70 (Log book of D. Keele, in:

UTD/Keele/B1F6; Log book of E. Munsell, in: UTD/Munsell/B3F24; Crew member

duty report of H. F. Miller, in: UTD/Miller/B4F6); for details about the service with

Air America as H-76 see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at


Service history: not current with Air America on 1 July 70 (Leary, The aircraft of Air

America, p. 20); to the Royal Lao Air Force as “6598” in June 70; still current with


http://www.flickr.com/photos/60121715@N00/4048201232/in/photostream/



the RLAF on 1 April 73; no longer current on 1 May 73 (Lists of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 April 73 and 1 May 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel

no. 24);

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “6598” was reportedly lost in Laos on 10 April 1973 (“Aircraft




UH-34D “8803” 58.1388 1970 ex Air America “803”,

CIC-1, Air America

H-X and BuA 148803


when it became H-X, bailed from USMC (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to Sept.


“H-X” see my file Air America UH-34D (first series) at


Commission Internationale de Contrôle, Vientiane, as CIC-1 on 4 September 62;

returned to Air America as “803” on 20 January 65 (Delivery and receipt of aircraft

dated 20 January 65, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F3); for details about the service with Air

America out of Bangkok as “803” see my file Air America UH-34D (first series) at


Service history: officially used by Air America at least until 31 August 69

(F.O.Circular of 15 August 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F1); test flown at Udorn on 13

March 70 (Log book of D. Keele, in: UTD/Keele/B1F6); not with Air America on 1

July 70 (Leary, The aircraft of Air America, p. 20); given to the Royal Lao AF as

“8803” in 1970;

Fate: written off on 25 October 70 (Lundh, Sikorsky H-34, p. 94); not current with the

RLAF on 1 April 72 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 April 72, in:

UTD/CIA/B49F2).

UH-34D “8770” 58.1321 1970 ex US Navy BuA 148770

Previous history: 148770 entered storage at Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson as a UH-

34D on 30 Jan 1970 with a TT of 3616 hours. Gained by USAF same day at Davis

Monthan, status code XT, MAP Storage. Status code changed to WO, Depot Work,

on 11 August 1970. To WRAAR Pensacola on 18 Sep 1970, status code WK,

Contract Work; struck off charge to TL on 23 December 1970.

Service history: in service with the RLAF at least January-March 72; no longer listed

on 1 April 72 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 April 72,

in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24)

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “8770” was reportedly lost in Laos on 26 or 29 February 1972




UH-34D “3121” 58.1786 23 Dec. 70 ex Air America H-84 and

BuA 153121


34D on 6 Feb 1970 with a TT of 1762 hours; struck off charge on 22 April 1970,

Admin strike. Gained by USAF same day at Davis Monthan, status code WO, Depot

Work. To WRAAR, Pensacola on 18 September 70, status WK, Contract Work.



Stricken TL on 10 December 1970 (e-mail dated 25 January 2011, kindly sent to the

author by Sid Nanson); to Air America as H-84 (identity given in: Amendment no.

F04606-71-C-0002-P00012 dated 7 December 70, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel

no. 23); arrived at Udorn on 6 December 70 (Minutes ExCom-AACL/AAM of 8

December 70, in: UTD/CIA/B8F4).

Service history: transferred to the RLAF as “3121” on 23 December 70 (Amendment

no. F04606-71-C-0002-P00013 dated 23 December 70, in: UTD/Bisson/B5,

microfilm reel no. 23); still current with the RLAF on 1 December 72, but no longer

on 1 January 73 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 December 72 and 1

January 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “8784” 58.1357 23 Dec.70 ex Air America H-82 and

BuA 148784

Previous history: BuA 148784 struck off charge at Pensacola NAS on 6 August 70

(e-mail dated 3 April 2004, kindly sent to the author by Sid Nanson); to Air America

as H-82 (identity given in: Amendment no. F04606-71-C-0002-P00012 dated 7

December 70, in: UTD/Bisson/B5; microfilm reel no.23); arrived at Udorn on 6

December 70 (Minutes ExCom-AACL/AAM of 8 December 70, in: UTD/CIA/B8F4).

Service history: transferred to the RLAF on 23 December 70 as “8784” (Amendment


microfilm reel no. 23); still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).






UH-34D “9378” 58.1480 23 Dec. 70 ex Air America H-83 and

BuA 149378

Previous history: USMC BuA 149378 struck off charge at Pensacola NAS on 6

August 70 (e-mail dated 3 April 2004, kindly sent to the author by Sid Nanson); to

Air America as H-83 on 7 December 70, bailed from the USMC (identity given in:

Amendment no. F04606-71-C-0002-P00012 dated 7 December 70, in: UTD/Bisson/

B5, microfilm reel no. 23); arrived at Udorn on 6 December 70 (Minutes ExCom-

AACL/AAM of 8 December 70, in: UTD/CIA/B8F4).

Service history: transferred to the RLAF on 23 December 70 as “9378” (Amendment


microfilm reel no.23); still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24);

Fate: to the Royal Thai Air Force in 1974 (?) as “20171”, the Thai serial was “H.4-

61/19”; converted to S-58T and reserialled as “H.4K-61/19” (e-mail dated 27 March

2004, kindly sent to the author by Martin Best).


UH-34D “4644” at Udorn in September / October 1973


UH-34D “4644” 58.572 70/71 ex SVNAF “44644”,

CIC-6, Air America

H-A and BuA 144644

Service history: Air America received this aircraft at Bangkok on 20 December 60,

when it became H-A (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to Sept. 1963, in:

UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); for details about the service with Air America see my file

Air America UH-34D (first series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh341.pdf; transferred to

the Commission Internationale de Contrôle, Laos, Vientiane, as CIC-6 on 6 June 63

(Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to Sept. 1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); in use

out of Udorn at least between 24 October 63 and 26 November 69 (Log book of E.

Munsell, in: UTD/Munsell/B3F24); not current with Air America on 1 July 70 (Leary,

The aircraft of Air America, p. 20) or in 1971; reportedly to the South Vietnamese AF

as “44644” in 1971 (Lundh, Sikorsky H-34, p. 135).

Service history: reserialled as “4644” in 1971; used for training at Udorn on 15

March 71 (Crew member duty report of H. F. Miller, in: UTD/Miller/B4F6; type not

given); given to the Royal Lao Air Force as “4644” before January 72; current with

the RLAF on 1 June 73 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 and

1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24); still in basic white CIC colors

at Udorn in September / October 1973, as can be seen in the photo by Ward S.

Reimer.

Fate: lost in a fatal crash going to Bangkok when one of the main rotor blades came

off in flight; all passengers were killed (e-mail dated 5 February 2006, kindly sent to

the author by Ward S. Reimer).


and BuA 153557

Previous history: transferred by the USMC to MAP on 3 January 67 (Nanson,

USMC Helic. Disp.); assigned to Udorn for Air America as H-47; for details about the


http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf;



Service history: still with Air America at least 1-31 July 71 (F.O.C.s of 1 and 15 July

71, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7B); to the Royal Lao Air Force as “3557” before January 72

(List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5 reel 24);

still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1

June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).


in 1975; believed to be the UH-34D “3577” that was reportedly seen at Vientiane on 4

October 77 (Telex no. 01391 dated 5 October 77 sent by the US Embassy, Vientiane,

to the Secretary of State, Washington, online at

http://aad.archives.gov/aad/createpdf?rid=231599&dt=2532&dl=1629 , kindly sent to

the author by Sid Nanson on 30 December 2014).


and BuA 154894

Previous history: transferred by the USMC to MAP on 29 July 67 (Nanson, USMC

Helic. Disp.); assigned to contract AF62(531)-1841 for use by Air America as H-64

on 13 January 68 (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); for details about

the service with Air America see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at


Service history: Air America H-64 was put into temporary storage by Air America

on 10 July 71 (F. O. Circular of 15 July 71, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7B); to the Royal

Lao Air Force as “4894” before January 72; damaged in November 72; at Udorn for

damage repair between December 72 and February 73; still current with the RLAF on

1 June 73 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft from 1 January 72 to 1 June 73, in:


Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “0577” 58.1708 1 March 72 ex Air America H-30

and BuA 150577

Previous history: assigned to Udorn for America as H-30 on 4 March 65 (Aircraft

Status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); for details about the service with Air


http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; H-30 was put

into temporary storage by Air America on 10 July 71 (F.O. Circular of 15 July 71, in:

UTD/Hickler/B8F7B).

Service history: stored at Udorn on 1 January 72; with the Royal Lao Air Force as

“0577” on 1 March 72; still current with the RLAF as “0577” on 1 June 73 (Lists of

assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5,


Fate: escaped from Laos and landed at Ubol on 25 June 1975; remained there

unattended until 1987, when the US Government sold it to SPM Company, Thailand;

ultimate fate unknown (e-mail dated 19 March 2004, kindly sent to the author by

Martin Best who had obtained that information from the Royal Thai Air Force

Museum, Bangkok); believed to be the anonymous UH-34 that is now preserved at a

temple in Pathum Thani, northeast of Bangkok.




The anonymous UH-34 preserved at a temple in Pathum Thani, believed to be former

RLAF “0577”, taken by MacAlan Thompson on 11 April 2004

(photo kindly submitted by Steve Darke)


and BuA 153703

Previous history: transferred by the USMC to MAP on 29 April 67 (Nanson, USMC

Helic. Disp.); assigned to Udorn on 1 June 67 for service with Air America as H-57

(Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); for details about the service with

Air America see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; put into

temporary storage on 10 July 71, but later reactivated (F.O.C.s of 1 and 15 July 71, in:

UTD/Hickler/B8F7B).

Service history: stored at Udorn in January 72; with the Royal Lao AF as “3703” on

1 March 72; still current with the RLAF on 1 September 72 (Lists of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 October 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm

reel no. 24).

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “3703” was reportedly lost in Laos on 21 September 1972





and BuA 138466

Previous history: struck off charge at Pensacola NAS on 25 April 69 (e-mail dated 3

April 2004, kindly sent to the author by Sid Nanson); at Udorn for modifications on

15 August 69 prior to being put onto contract AF62531-67-C-0028 with Air America

as H-69 (F.O.C. of 15 August 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F1); for details about the



Service history: put into temporary storage by Air America in late July 71

(F.O.Circular of 15 July 71, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7B); stored at Udorn in January 72;

with the RLAF as “8466” on 1 March 72; still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73



(Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 June 73, in:


Fate: unknown.

RLAF UH-34D “9348” at Udorn in 1973/4

(with kind permission from Judy Porter)

UH-34D “9348” 58.1448 1 April 72 ex BuA 149348


34D on 10 Jan 1970 with a TT of 2807 hours. Struck off charge on 22 Apr 1970.

Admin strike. Gained by USAF same day at Davis Monthan, status code XT, MAP

Storage. Status code changed to WO, Depot Work, 8 Sep 1970. Struck off charge TL

MAP, 12 Apr 1971.

Service history: stored at Udorn in January and March 72 (List of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 January and February 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5 reel 24);

current with the RLAF on 1 April 72 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1

April 72, in: UTD/CIA/B49F2); still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of

assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no.

24).







Two photos of RLAF UH-34D “0556” at Udorn in September 73


UH-34D “0556” 58.1683 1 June 72 ex BuA 150556


34D on 5 Nov 1969 with a TT of 2889 hours. Struck off charge on 22 Apr 1970.


Storage. Status code changed to WO, Depot Work, 5 Oct 1970. To WRAAR, Robbins

AFB on 29 Apr 1971. Struck off charge TL MAP, 12 May 1971.

Service history: stored at Udorn at least January to April 72; with the RLAF as

“0556” on 1 June 72; still with the RLAF as “0556” on 1 June 73 (Lists of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm

reel no. 24);

Fate: RLAF UH-34D “0556” was reportedly lost in Laos on 18 April 1974 (“Aircraft



author by Sid Nanson on 30 May 2011). Also reported to have escaped from Laos and

landed at Udorn on 7 July 1976; remained there unattended until 1987, when the US

Government sold it to SPM Company, Thailand; sold to a Buddhist temple at

Patumtani, Thailand, in ?; transferred to the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Bangkok,

as “150556” (e-mail dated 19 March 2004, kindly sent to the author by Martin Best

who had obtained that information from the Royal Thai Air Force Museum,

Bangkok); first reported to be at the museum in January 98, current until at least

August 2003 (see the report by Steve Darke about the RTAF museum at

http://www.thai-aviation.net ).

http://www.thai-aviation.net/

RLAF UH-34D “9360” in 1972

(UTD/Leary/B75F5)

UH-34D “9360” 58.1462 1 June 72 ex BuA 149360

Previous history: 149360 with MCAS Beaufort as a UH-34D, when status code

changed to RE, Awaiting strike for MAP, Standard Rework Required on 8 Dec 1970.

To NARF Pensacola on 8 Dec 1970. Status still RE. Total time 2604 hours. Status

D1, Overhaul in work, 16 Dec 1970. Struck off charge 5 Feb 1971, Admin strike.

Service history: stored at Udorn at least 1 January to 1 April 72; to the RLAF as

“9360” on 1 June 72 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1

June 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, reel 24); current with the RLAF in 1972; a photo in the

Bill Leary collection of the UTD shows it together with C-123K “648” that crashed in

November 72; still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned / maintained

aircraft as of 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “3952” 58.752 1 July 72 ex Air America H-73 and

BuA 143952

Previous history: struck off charge at Pensacola NAS on 25 April 69 (e-mail dated 3

April 2004, kindly sent to the author by Sid Nanson); at Udorn for modifications on

15 August 69 prior to being put onto contract AF62531-67-C-0028 with Air America

as H-73 (F.O.C. of 15 August 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F1); for details about the


http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; hit by small

arms fire on 19 March 72, and autorotated approximately 7 NM northeast of Ban

Xieng Lom (LS-69); received further damage while it was unattended in an insecure

area; recovered to Udorn by heavy lift helicopter on 6 April 72, but believed not

repaired for some time.

Service history: repaired and transferred to the RLAF as “3952” on 1 July 72, still on

1 January 73, no longer on 1 February 73 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of

1 January 72 and 1 February 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: no longer current with the RLAF on 1 February 73, so probably destroyed in

January 73 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 and 1 February

73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5 reel 24); RLAF UH-34D “3952” was reportedly lost in Laos

on 14 January 1973 (“Aircraft All Loss by Tail number”, pages 135-287, no date,

Folder 15, Box 10, Garnett Bell Collection, The Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech


University, details kindly sent to the author by Sid Nanson on 30 May 2011).

UH-34D “9388” 58.1490 1 July 72 ex BuA 149388


34D on 24 Oct 1969 with a TT of 2847 hours. Struck off charge on 22 Apr 1970.



MAP, 12 Apr 1971.

Service history: stored at Udorn at least January to June 72; current with the RLAF

on 1 July 72, still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned / maintained

aircraft as of 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).






UH-34D “0242” 58.1616 1 August 72 ex Air America H-86 and

USMC BuA 150242


34D on 6 Feb 1970 with a TT of 1761 hours. Struck off charge 22 April 1970. Admin

strike. Gained by USAF same day at Davis Monthan, status code WO, Depot Work.

To WRAAR, Pensacola on 18 Sep 1970, status WK, Contract Work. Stricken TL on

10 Dec 1970 (e-mail dated 25 January 2011, kindly sent to the author by Sid Nanson);

arrived at Udorn for Air America in late December 70 (Minutes ExCom-AACL/AAM

of 8 December 70, in: UTD/CIA/B8F4); became H-86 with Air America; for details


at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; current with

Air America as H-86 on 1 July 72 (List of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 July

72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5 reel 24).

Service history: to the RLAF as “0242” on 1 August 72; still with the RLAF as

“0242” on 1 June 73 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 and 1

February 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: unknown.



RLAF UH-34D “9391” sitting behind an unknown Air America Hughes 500, photo taken by

Tom Lum, probably at Udorn in the early seventies

(photo no.VA024823, No Date, Allen Cates Collection, The Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech

University, with kind permission from Steve Maxner)

UH-34D “9391” 58.1494 1 November 72 ex BuA 149391


34D on 13 Aug 1969 with a TT of 1998 hours. Struck off charge on 22 Apr 1970.



MAP, 12 April 1971.

Service history: stored at Udorn at least between January and October 72; to the

RLAF as “9391” on 1 November 72 (Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1

January 72 to 1 November 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5 reel 24); a photo of “9391”,

probably taken at Udorn in 1972/3, can be found in the A. Cates collection at TTU

(no. VA 024823); still current with the RLAF on 1 June 73 (List of assigned /

maintained aircraft as of 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no. 24).

Fate: unknown.

UH-34D “0245” 58.1622 1 November 72 ex BuA 150245


34D on 28 Jan 1970 with a TT of 1975 hours. Struck off charge on 22 April 1970.


Storage. Status code changed to WO, Depot Work, on 11 Aug 1970. To WRAAR

Pensacola on 18 Sep 1970, status code WK, Contract Work. Struck off charge, TL on

18 January 1971.

Service history: stored at Udorn at least between January and October 72; to the

RLAF as “0245” on 1 November 72; current with the RLAF still on 1 June 73 (Lists

of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 June 73, in: UTD/Bisson/B5,

microfilm reel no. 24);

Fate: escaped from Laos and landed at Udorn on 11 September 1976; remained there




Museum, Bangkok).

UH-34D “0236” 58.1601 1 December 72 ex BuA 150236


34D on 6 Nov 1969 with a TT of 2998 hours. Struck off charge on 22 April 1970.


Storage. Status code changed to WO, Depot Work, 5 October 1970. To WRAAR,

Robbins AFB on 29 Apr 1971. Struck off charge TL MAP, on 12 May 1971.

Service history: stored at Udorn at least January to November 72; with the RLAF as

“0236” on 1 December 72; still current with the RLAF as “0236” on 1 June 73 (Lists



Fate: unknown.



34D on 21 Jan 1970 with a TT of 3009 hours. Struck off charge on 22 April 1970.


Storage. Status code changed to WO, Depot Work, 5 October 1970. To WRAAR,

Robbins AFB on 29 April 1971. Struck off charge TL MAP on 12 May 1971.

Service history: stored at Udorn at least January to November 72; with the RLAF as

“0237” on 1 December 72; still current with the RLAF as “0237” on 1 June 73 (Lists



Fate: RLAF UH-34D “0237” was reportedly lost in Laos on 6 December 1973






34D on 17 Oct 1969 with a TT of 1407 hours. Struck off charge on 22 Apr 1970.


Storage. Status code changed to WO, Depot Work, 23 November 1970; to WRAAR,

Robbins AFB on 29 April 1971. Struck off charge TL MAP, 12 May 1971;

Service history: stored at Udorn at least 1 January to November 72; with the RLAF

as “3119” on 1 December 72; still current with the RLAF as “3119” on 1 June 73

(Lists of assigned / maintained aircraft as of 1 January 72 to 1 June 73, in:







UH-34D “3699” 58.1793 74 (?) ex Air America H-53 and

BuA 153699

Previous history: transferred by the USMC to MAP on 22 March 67 (Nanson,


USMC Helic. Disp.); assigned to Udorn for Air America on 20 May 67 (Aircraft

status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); became H-53 with Air America; for details


at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf; still with

Air America, assigned to contract FC4606-71-C-0002 for use out of Udorn 1 April-31

May 74 (F.O.C.s of 1 April 74 and 1 May 74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).

Service history: transferred to the Royal Lao Air Force as “3699” in 1974 (?);

Fate: escaped from Laos and landed at Udorn on 17 June 1975; remained there




Museum, Bangkok).

UH-34Ds cocooned at Udorn in 1972, possibly destined for the RLAF

(Air America Log, vol. VI, no. 2, p. 2)

Still on 16 April 73, no less than 7 UH-34Ds are listed as “stored Udorn for utilization as

directed” (F.O.C. of 16 April 73, in: UTD/Kaufman/B1F14) in addition to those 20 UH-34Ds

which were used by Air America themselves out of Udorn at that time.


Former Air America aircraft that may have joined the Royal Lao Air Force

In 1974, some former Air America UH-34Ds that were no longer needed were put into

inactive storage and “pickled”, as can be seen below. As Air America’s operations in Laos

were terminated on 3 June 74, and as Air America’s Udorn base was sold to the Thai-Am

Corporation in late June 1974,1 some or all of the UH-34Ds that had flown with Air America

to the end may have been turned over to the Royal Lao Air Force at that date.

Air America UH-34Ds H-44, H-52, and others in storage at Udorn in September 73


Sikorsky UH-34D H-15 58.1497 1974? BuA 149394


when it became H-15, bailed from the USMC (Aircraft list of June 62, corrected to

Sept. 1963, in: UTD/Kirkpatrick/B1F1); H-15 flew with Air America for many years

(for details see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf) and was still

assigned to Air America, Udorn for the period from 1 to 31 May 74 (F.O.C. of 1 May

74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).

Fate: Its fate is unknown, but the helicopter may have been turned over to the Royal

Lao Air Force as “9394” (?) in 1974.



October 66 (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2); H-44 flew with Air

America for many years (for details see my file Air America UH-34D (second series)

at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf) and was

still assigned to Air America, Udorn for the period from 1 to 31 December 73, but no

longer on 1 February 74 (F. O. C.s of 1 Dec. 73 and 1 Feb. 74, in:

UTD/Hickler/B8F7C and UTD/CIA/B51F21).


Lao Air Force as “3133” (?) in 1974; already on 5 October 72, Detachment 11,

AFCMC, Udorn, asked Air America to prepare this aircraft for transfer to the RLAF

(Letter dated 5 October 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no.24), but the

transaction did not materialize at that time.

1 AAM’s Udorn operations were phased out on 30 June 74 and turned over to Thai-Am (Minutes of Meetings of

Executive Committees of Air America Inc. and Air Asia Co Ltd of 30 April 74, in: UTD/CIA/B10F1; Castle, At

war, p.119).





May 67 (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2) and flew with Air America

until early 1974 (for details see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf); between at

least 1 February 74 and 31 May 74 it is known to have been in inactive storage

(F.O.C.s of 1 Feb. 74, in: UTD/CIA/B51F21, and of 1 May 74 in: UTD/Hickler/

B8F7C).





May 67 (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2) and flew with Air America

for many years (for details see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf) until 31 May

74 (F.O.C. of 1 May 74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).




Previous history: BuA 154889 was assigned to Air America Udorn as H-59 on 1

June 67 (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2) and flew with Air America

for many years (for details see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf) until 16 April

73 (F.O.Circular of 16 April 73, in: UTD/Kaufman/B1F14).





Sept. 67 (Aircraft status as of 1 May 68, in: UTD/Herd/B2) and flew with Air


at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf) until 31

May 74 (F.O.C. of 1 May 74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).




Previous history: BuA 156594 flew with Air America as H-67 since at least 8 March

69 (Log book of D. Keele, in: UTD/Keele/B1F6; Log book of E. Munsell, in: UTD/

Munsell/B3F24; Crew member duty report of H. F. Miller, in: UTD/Miller/B4F6) for

many years (for details see my file Air America UH-34D (second series) at



Service history: Apparently turned over to the Royal Lao Air Force as “6594” in

1974; already on 5 October 72, Detachment 11, AFCMC, Udorn, asked Air America

to prepare this aircraft for transfer to the RLAF (Letter dated 5 October 72, in:

UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no.24), but the transaction did not materialize at that

time.













August 69 (F.O.C. of 15 August 69, in: UTD/Hickler/B1F1) and flew with Air


at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf) until it was

put into inactive storage from 1 February 74 to 31 May 74 (F.O.C.s of 1 Feb. 74, in:

UTD/CIA/B51F21, and of 1 May 74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).


Lao Air Force as “9022” (?) in 1974; already on 5 October 72, Detachment 11,

AFCMC, Udorn, asked Air America to prepare this aircraft for transfer to the RLAF

(Letter dated 5 October 72, in: UTD/Bisson/B5, microfilm reel no.24), but the

transaction did not materialize at that time.


Previous history: BuA 156596 flew with Air America as H-74 since at least 16

September 69 (Log book of E. Munsell, in: UTD/Munsell/B3F24; Crew member duty

report of H. F. Miller, in: UTD/Miller/B4F6) for many years (for details see my file

Air America UH-34D (second series) at







December 70 and 1 February 74 (Crew member duty report of H. F. Miller, in:

UTD/Miller/B4F6) for many years (for details see my file Air America UH-34D (2nd

series) at http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf) until

31 May 74 (F.O.C. of 1 May 74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).





January 71 (Log book of L. LaShomb, in: UTD/LaShomb/B14) for many years (for

details see my file Air America UH-34D (2nd series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf) until at least

31 December 73, but in inactive storage on 1 April 74 and 1 May 74 (F.O.Circulars of

1 April 74 and 1 May 74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).

Fate: Apparently turned over to the Royal Lao Air Force as “0560” in 1974; taken

over by the Air Force of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) in 1975; seen

at Vientiane on 4 October 77 as “0560” (Telex no. 01391 dated 5 October 77 sent by

the US Embassy, Vientiane, to the Secretary of State, Washington, online at










Previous history: BuA 150719 flew with Air America as H-81 since at least 1 July

71 (F.O.C. of 15 July 71, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7B) for many years (for details see my

file Air America UH-34D (second series) at



Fate: Apparently turned over to the Royal Lao Air Force as “0719” in 1974; taken

over by the Air Force of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) in 1975; seen

at Vientiane on 4 October 77 as “0719” (Telex no. 01391 dated 5 October 77 sent by

the US Embassy, Vientiane, to the Secretary of State, Washington, online at




Previous history: BuA 154901 arrived at Udorn in January 71 for service with Air

America as H-88 (Minutes ExCom-AACL/AAM of 8 December 70, in: UTD/CIA/

B8F4); for many years, H-88 flew with Air America (for details see my file Air

America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf), but was in

inactive storage between at least 1 February 74 and 31 May 74 (F.O.C. of 1 Feb. 74,

in: UTD/CIA/B51F21, and 1 May 74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).




Previous history: BuA 149364 arrived at Udorn in January 71 for service with Air

America as H-90 (Minutes ExCom-AACL/AAM of 8 December 70, in:

UTD/CIA/B8F4); for several years, H-90 flew with Air America (for details see my

file Air America UH-34D (second series) at

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/speccoll/Leeker/uh342.pdf), but its last

known use with Air America was 16-30 April 73 (F.O.C. of 16 April 73, in:

UTD/Kaufman/B1F14).



Sikorsky UH-34D H-91 58.1812 1 April 72 BuA 154902

Previous history: BuA 154902 flew with Air America as H-91 from 1 April 72 (List

“Assigned, Maintained aircraft” as of 1 April 72, in: UTD/CIA/B49F2) to 31 May 74

(F.O.C. of 1 May 74, in: UTD/Hickler/B8F7C).







More RLAF UH-34Ds are reported by Lundh, Sikorsky H-34, p. 94, but - except for Air

America’s H-24/25/26 -, none of those aircraft appears in the Air America papers

preserved at the Air America Archives. They are:

UH-34D “63-8248” 58.1615 ? ex SVNAF; to the Royal Thai AF in ?

UH-34D “63-8249” 58.1640 ? ex SVNAF; to the Royal Thai AF as “20126”

in ?; later converted to S-58T









in ?





UH-34D “63-8259” 58.1714 ? ex SVNAF; to the Royal Thai AF in ?;

UH-34D “63-13006” 58.1726 ? ex SVNAF; to the Royal Thai AF in ?; to Air

America H-24 in 1964; back to Royal Thai Air

Force on 30 Jan. 65


America H-25 in 1964; back to Royal Thai Air

Force on 30 Jan. 65


America H-26 in 1964; lost on 5 March 65










UH-34D “63-13139” 58.1744 ? ex SVNAF; to the Philippine AF as “313139"

in ?

UH-34D “63-13140” 58.1747 ? ex SVNAF; to the Philippine AF as “ ” in ?

Possibly, these aircraft passed directly from the South Vietnamese Air Force to the Royal

Thai Air Force, without ever being flown by the Royal Lao Air Force, as nearly all UH-34Ds

of the RLAF came from the US Marines or US Navy. According to Bowers, The USAF in

South-East Asia. Tactical Airlift, p. 454, Air America’s UH-34Ds were all nominally

furnished to the Royal Lao Air Force, but flown, maintained and controlled by Air America.

This makes believe that the RLAF’s main source for UH-34Ds was Air America, and not the

South Vietnamese Air Force.

Lao Aviation H-34s: Sikorsky S-58s (= H-34s) RDPL 34052 (c/n 58.107, ex 53-4545) and RDPL 34069 (c/n

58.154) were reported to be with Lao Aviation in 1986, but these were probably former US

Army or South Vietnamese Air Force aircraft captured in Southern Laos during Operation

Lam Son 719 in March 1971.

© University of Texas at Dallas, 2013-2015

ROYAL LAO AIR FORCE SIKORSKY UH-34Ds...ROYAL LAO AIR FORCE: SIKORSKY UH-34Ds by Dr. Joe F. Leeker...

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