The Don Englebreston Collection

Battle Damage from Heavy Anti-Aircraft Fire, Folded Wing Panel of a Piston-Engine Attack Aircraft — Scanned Slide, Banner Project Working File

Battle Damage from Heavy Anti-Aircraft Fire, Folded Wing Panel of a Piston-Engine Attack Aircraft — Scanned Slide, Banner Project Working File

Anti-aircraft damage to a single-engine attack aircraft, recorded on colour slide and later scanned for a Special Operations Association Reunion banner project. A heavy automatic cannon round — the working file attributes it to a 37 mm or 57 mm weapon — has punched a ragged hole clean through an upward-folded wing panel, exposing internal ribs and control runs. Guns of this calibre defended the trail networks and target areas in Laos and North Vietnam, and damage of this kind was a routine hazard for the propeller-driven Skyraider crews who flew close air support for cross-border reconnaissance teams and combat search and rescue. The strong magenta cast reflects the ageing of the original transparency. Project: 219860