tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8863461026990087355.post3453644057687637066..comments2017-11-06T14:47:22.419-06:00Comments on US Taiwan Defense Command: Yet Another Bird SightingDonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071798130626903767noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8863461026990087355.post-33171796866895425812009-08-19T16:52:51.157-05:002009-08-19T16:52:51.157-05:00The third was the gooney bird (probably a C-117 --...The third was the gooney bird (probably a C-117 -- I distinctly remember it had a taller, more rectangular tail than the conventional C-47) that TDC inherited in either 1977 or 1978 and probably owned until closing. I think it came from NAS Iwakuni but I can't be certain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8863461026990087355.post-74325537554177620872009-08-19T08:02:31.852-05:002009-08-19T08:02:31.852-05:00Oops! I think you're right, John.
Oh well, a...Oops! I think you're right, John.<br /><br />Oh well, at least we've added to the historical record by displaying TWO of TDC's aircraft here at the blog. ;-)<br /><br />It would be interesting to know if there were others, and if so, what they were.<br /><br />DonDonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01071798130626903767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8863461026990087355.post-83870684605552449072009-08-18T22:06:46.484-05:002009-08-18T22:06:46.484-05:00Don,
I believe this is not a C-118, but rather a C...Don,<br />I believe this is not a C-118, but rather a C-54N. C-54N was an old DC-4 configured for staff/VIP support. I think this aircraft preceded the C-118 aircraft utilized by COMUSTDC. I remember riding this bird from Kadena to Taipei one time.<br />Johntitojohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11439961002930293736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8863461026990087355.post-54795298172816403722009-08-18T13:11:29.569-05:002009-08-18T13:11:29.569-05:00The Meiyou Kuanhsi (or just Mei Kuanhsi, or Meiyou...The Meiyou Kuanhsi (or just Mei Kuanhsi, or Meiyou Guanxi in pinyin) flights were operated by the CAF (Chinese Air Force, though I guess these days TAF is probably more PC) and flew only within Taiwan. They flew between Sung Shan AB in Taipei and Tainan AB in the south, but some flights also went to the CAF Academy at Kang Shan. I'm not sure how many, if any, other CAF bases they may have also served. In the early 1960s the aircraft were cammie colored C-46s, some of which were veterans of the Burma "hump" missions of WWII. Ten years later these had been replaced by C-119s. Any military -- Chinese or U.S -- could show up, sign up, and if there was room, you were all set. It was all pretty loose; family members were welcome too. Folks stationed at Tainan when I was there (1971-73) took advantage of these flights to make shopping trips to Taipei or if they needed medical care that the small hospital at TAB couldn't provide. It was another free bennie that made life on island a little nicer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8863461026990087355.post-33441102672459047042009-08-18T09:44:21.782-05:002009-08-18T09:44:21.782-05:00There was a nick-name for these flights. When I w...There was a nick-name for these flights. When I was asked several times if I wanted to take a flight it was referred to as the "meiyo gwansyi" flight. Chinese for "No problem" flight. Does anyone remember this or does it sound familiar?Georgehttp://www.yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.com