Pacific Stars and Stripes information

For date 680320


South Vietnam
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Air Losses Top Korea, but Not WW II." Washington (AP) - The U.S. loss of planes and helicopters in Vietnam now exceeds its aircraft losses in Korea - but still is far below the World War II toll. Pentagon figures show 3,487 U.S. helicopters and fixed-wing planes have been destroyed in Vietnam. The total in the Korean War was 3,001, virtually all airplanes, since few helicopters were used in that war. The United States recorded 27,137 aircraft losses to enemy action in World War II. Figures were not available, but losses as a result of accidents and other noncombat causes probably ran into many thousands. The total for fixed wing aircraft lost in Vietnam reached 2,007 last week. The number of helicopters destroyed in both combat and noncombat operations came to 1,480. The Pentagon would not give a breakdown on aircraft losses by types; saying this is security material of value to the enemy. Pentagon spokesmen said total costs of aircraft losses in the three wars are not available. But competent sources have said $4 billion probably would not be far off the cost for Vietnam air losses. The prices paid for individual airplanes indicates how costs have escalated since World War II. For example, a B17 heavy bomber of World War II cost nearly $190,000 - about $80,000 less than the price of an Army helicopter being used in Vietnam. A B29, classed as a "very heavy bomber" in World War II cost about $635,000 - only a fraction of the $8 million price for a B52 of this era. A World War II P51 fighter could be bought for $53,000. In the Korean War, the government was paying $131,000 for an F86 jet fighter. And today's fighter bomber, the F4 Phantom, runs about $2.4 million a copy.

The source for this information was 6803pss.avn supplied by Les Hines


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Last updated 02/23/2000

Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023