Ray Simpson's Vietnam Stuff
             2 Squadron RAAF
                Phan Rang Air Base
                    Nov.'69 / Nov.'70               
1970 2005
2 Sqn. Domestic Area To see a selection of photos click " here "
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2 Sqn. RAAF Flight Line 1970
This Picture is made up of three scans and joined together for me by MikeVogel .
In here are a selection of 2 Sqn flight line photos.
     To see the photos click  "here"
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In 1970 A84-241 with a crew named Birks &  Kerr  landed with the nose wheel locked in the UP position. To see a selection of photos click here Click back on your browser to return to this page.
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In here you will find a selection of aircraft that were at Phan Rang AB. Included is a photo of a C123 "Patches" spraying "insecticide" over the air base. They said it would not hurt us but after it had gone over we had to go out and wash down the aircraft canopies ????????   I was told that Patches was a retired spray bird that got it's name from the thousand plus patches from small arms fire, when Patches was retired from it's agent orange duties it was used exclusively for insecticide spraying over the base and perimeter. I am also told that this same aircraft is now on display at the USAF Museum in Dayton Ohoi USA.    To see the photos click here.
Phan Rang City was short trip from the Airbase, in 1970 it was out of bounds unless on official business. I traveled with the linguist Don Meyer to Tan Tai Orphanage on Tuesday & Saturday afternoons, these are some of the photos I took ...   click here
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               Tan Tai Orphanage in Phan Rang
I doubt that there would be any person who was attached to 2 Sqn at Phan Rang AB who did not visit the orphanage in Phan Rang at least once during their tour.
The main instigator at the onset was Father Pat McCormack. Sadly Father Pat passed away in early 2004 but his memory lives on with all those whose lives he touched. A great man and is sadly missed.
When I arrived in November 1969 the orphanage was in full swing and very little manual work other than minor maintenance was needed (thanks to my predecessors generous time and efforts)
In 1969/70 there were about 60 orphans at the orphanage with ages ranging from a few days old to 17 years. They were being cared for by French and Vietnamese Catholic Nuns and supported by 2 Sqn. from PRAB. I used to visit every Tuesday and Saturday afternoon ( I took this time off in lieu of having my day off every 6 days) I hold many happy memories of my time at Tan Tai and a few sad ones. My life, and I'm sure that of others, is richer because of the time we spent at Tan Tai.
If you have any photos (especially of Father Pat) that I could add I would be very grateful. There are two lots of photos to see the first click HERE and for the second click HERE.
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                  Me & some of the people I was there with.
Have a look and if you find yourself or someone you know in here and I have not named you/them email me and I will update. Converseley if you are in here and do not want to be contact me and you will be removed.  If you are not in here and were in Phan Rang between Nov69 & Nov70 and would like to be included email/send me a photo or photos and I will add you in.
To see how young we were click here I don't remember getting old, do you ?
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                                      The Cheap Charlies Club
There were a number of "clubs" in 2 Sqn. one of these was "The Cheap Charlie Club"
of which I was a member. This badge had to be carried at ALL times and was to be produced on a challenge of "Cheap Cheap". Failure to do so would incur a fine at the next meeting, the meetings were held every 2 weeks and fines would be handed out by the President. The "crimes" commited were based on not being "cheap" like offering someone a cigarette, offering to shout the FIRST round of drinks etc. (dob in was the word of the day)  The money raised went towards the drinks for the next meeting.
During and after the meeting the drinks (read booze) would flow somewhat freely and then "the games" would begin.   See photos by clicking here
In Viet Nam Australians were referred to ( mainly by the bar girls) as Cheap Charlies because of our habit of not tipping nor wanting to buy them drinks just for the pleasure of their company. It was part of their job to get you to buy them drinks and to get you to drink more, worked well on others but not so on the "bloody lousy" Aussie.
So as time went on a Ballard to the Cheap Charlies appeared .
For those who do not know .....
Uc Dai Loi .......... Australian
Saigon tea .............Cold tea for which you paid the price of a whiskey
Pi  (Dong)  .............Vietnamise Currency
MPC           ............. Military Payment Certificate
Mama san  ............. The lady who ran the bar & girls

This is sung to the tune of "This Old Man"

Uc Dai Loi cheap charlie
He no buy me Saigon tea
Saigon tea cost many many Pi
Uc Dai Loi he cheap charlie

Uc Dai Loi cheap charlie
He no part with MPC
MPC worth many many Pi
Uc Dai Loi he cheap charlie

Uc Dai Loi cheap charlie
He no go to bed with me
For it cost many many Pi
Uc Dai Loi he cheap charlie

Uc Dai Loi cheap charlie
Make me give him one for free
Mama san go crook at me
Uc Dai Loi he cheap charlie

Uc Dai Loi cheap charlie
He give baby san to me
Baby san cost many many Pi
Uc Dai Loi he cheap charlie

Uc Dai Loi cheap charlie
He go home across the sea
Baby san he leave with me
Uc Dai Loi he cheap charlie
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