53056 ICM Phu Bai Combat Base 1968 Kit 1/35
In Vietnam, the CH-54A heavy helicopters were primarily used for transport, but sometimes they acted as carriers of the M-121 super-powerful bombs. These bombs were partially modernized, adding an extended nose detonator, which ensured the height of the explosion at a distance of about 3 feet from the ground. The bombs were used to quickly clear forests for an airfield for helicopters. One of these combat operations was carried out by a CH-54A helicopter from the Phu Bai Air Base (also known as Camp Hochmuth*), located in central Vietnam. The US armed forces began operating this base in 1963, initially it housed a radio station for communications units. Subsequently, the base was used by the Marine Corps, paratroopers and US special operations forces. An airfield was equipped here, for the construction of which steel airfield slabs M8A1 were used. At one time, the airfield also housed aircraft and helicopters of the US Marine Corps. Phu Bai was frequently attacked by the Viet Cong, but continued to be operated by American forces until late 1972.