The French Brown Water Geese of Indochina
In a follow-up to Tuesday’s post on USCG Grumman (G-38) JRF-5G Goose amphibians, how about the rest of the story of the type’s journey in Indochina?
Twelve ex-USN JRF-5s were sold to France in 1952 and delivered to Escadrille 8.S based at Cat-Lai (later a big Brown Water Navy base) close to Saigon (Indochina).
Viet Minh War, 1954, a French Grumman Goose (JRF-5) aids the gunboats patrolling the inland waters of Indo-China. NH 79370
They were mainly used for medevac, transport, and liaison, but in a pinch were equipped with bombs and gun pods to operate in coastal and riverine interdiction.
Five additional ex-USN JRF-5s were delivered in 1954 and fielded at Tan Son Nhut, still under E 8.S.
JRF-5 Goose French Navy Aéronautique navale l’Escadrille 8.S Indochina
Once the French withdrew, four still-flyable JRF-5s were sent to the South Pacific colony of New Caledonia, while the rest were shipped to African colonies.
Goose dets endured at Alger-Maison Blanche (Algeria), where E 8.S was relocated, as well as with 27F in Senegal flying from Ouakam and Dakar Bel-Air until 1961, when they were finally withdrawn.
JRF-5 Goose French Navy 27 Flotte, Dakar, late 1950s
JRF-5 Goose French Navy Aéronavale l’Escadrille 8.S Algeria late 1950s
JRF-5 Goose, French Navy, Aéronautique navale Dakar 1960