FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES OF VIET NAM

 

Friendly is doing a lot of work in that sentence.

 

This Battle Threads design sends an F-4 fighter jet across the chest beneath “Fly the Friendly Skies of Viet Nam,” borrowing the cheerful language of old airline advertising and dropping it directly into the Vietnam air war. The two-word spelling of Viet Nam and simple black artwork give it the feel of something dreamed up by an aircrew after a long mission and several bad cups of coffee.

 

THE HISTORY

 

The two-seat F-4 became one of the defining American combat aircraft of the Vietnam War. Originally developed as a Navy fleet-defense interceptor, it was also adopted by the Marine Corps and Air Force. Few modern fighters have been so closely associated with all three services.

 

F-4 crews flew air superiority, interception, escort, reconnaissance and ground-attack missions over Southeast Asia. Their “friendly skies” included MiGs, surface-to-air missiles, radar-directed antiaircraft guns, difficult weather and rules of engagement that often complicated an already dangerous job.

 

Early F-4 variants carried guided missiles but no internal cannon. Designers believed the age of close-range dogfighting had passed. Combat over Vietnam demonstrated otherwise, and the Air Force’s later F-4E received an internal 20 mm cannon. Collectors and aviation veterans also remember the aircraft’s twin General Electric J79 engines, tremendous power and famously smoky exhaust trail.

 

WHO IT’S FOR

 

We made this for Vietnam veterans, former pilots and backseaters, aircraft maintainers, Air Force, Navy and Marine families, military aviation collectors and anyone who appreciates humor delivered at several hundred knots. Wear it to an air show, squadron reunion or anywhere somebody is likely to answer, “Those skies were not friendly.”

 

Every Battle Threads shirt carries the VDG Militaria logo on the right sleeve. Available in Sport Grey, White, Sand, Heather Military Green, Heather Sapphire and Heather Red.

 

THE SHIRT

 

Printed on a Gildan 5000 Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee made from 100% cotton, with a 5.3 oz mid-weight knit, classic fit, crew neck and tear-away label. Machine wash cold, inside out, with like colors. Tumble dry low. Do not iron directly over the artwork.