The above photo is from a declassified USAF/CIA document titled USAF Organizational Maintenance Handbook: Hsin Chu Air Base, Taiwan 1957-58. In fact, it is a photo album with photos related to the ROCAF 34th Squadron. The above photo, with the caption “General view of the area”, was taken in October 1957. A B-17 and two scrapped aircraft are clearly visible. This photo was probably used for construction planning as indicated by the handwritten words.
I tried to locate “the area” on Google Maps. I suspect it was located on the northwest corner of Hsinchu AFB. The following image from Google Maps shows how the suspected area currently looks. It has been rotated 215 degrees clockwise in order to have the same orientation as the above image. You may want to take a look on Google Maps. Please let me know if my conjecture is wrong.
Since all the photos shown here are copied from a photocopy of the original document and of poor quality, they have been digitally retouched before being posted here. I will post more photos from this document in the near future.
The following photo was taken in December 1957, two months later than the first photo. It can be seen that the “Paved Hardstand”, “New Ground Power Shed”, and “New Elect. Bldg.” had been completed. In addition to three B-17 and two P2V-7, there are scrapped P4Y and what seem to be B-25.
In the next photo, taken on the ground in October 1957, there are nine scrapped P4Y lying in the field.
Hello, I live in Taipei and am also interested in Taiwan history. If you are interested, i have several posts at this site (link below) that includes some some taiwan bombing photos (wwII). Also, if you check in another post I made on the same website about “state dept memos” (in the culture and history section) you will finds lots of interesting articles on the US airforce in tainan in the ’60s including nuke bomb storage and the communication between CKS/CCK and the US government.
Note: I found your site via Michael Turtons blog, sorry to say, i found it extremely difficult to send you this message. I suggest you put a easy “contact” link somewhere on your site if you want others to submit articles.
(see the link from 4nr in this thread)
http://forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?t=45238&start=10
I am very interested in the photographs of Hsinchu AFB during the 1950s and 1960s. My grandfather was based out of Hsinchu AFB during this time as a B-25 mechanic. He has passed away for already 30 years, so I am unable to talk to him about his experience at Hsinchu AFB. But my father grew up around the AB and watched all the different planes that has flew out of Hsinchu AFB since 1952. I also watched the F-104s fly out of there since the early 1980s. I feel my family has a close connection with Hsinchu AFB. I’m a model builder and would like to build an accurate representation of all squadrons based out of Hsinchu AFB over the years. And these photos that are shown are quite interesting and I was wondering where I can get a copy of the document USAF Organizational Maintenance Handbook Hsin Chu AFB, Taiwan 1957-1958. Do you also know of other photographs of Hsinchu AFB from 1949-Present. I am planning to collect all the information of Hsinchu AFB and to write a book about the airbase. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Frank:
The document USAF Organizational Maintenance Handbook Hsin Chu AFB, Taiwan 1957-1958 is only available from the National Archive in the US. But even if you could visit there, you would only be able to get photocopies.
I do not collect old photos and so I do not have any photos of Hsinchu AFB on hand. There used to be a book called 飛行戰彩, which have a lot of old photos. You may want to try 中國之翼.
you can get the book “The Black Bat – CIA Spy Flights Over China From Taiwan 1951-1969” by Chris Pocock. It has a detailed account of the operation of the black bat squadron out of hsinchu airforce base. there are many arial photos in the book.
There is also a black bat squadron museum in Hsinchu that was dedicated their operations.
My father flew on P2V’s as EMC officer in the 60’s.
Hsing jen:
Many thanks for your information. Actually Chris Pocock is a friend of mine.
Is your father 任德溥? Please forgive me if I am mistaken.
Hello,
My name is Susie. My father, Bob McNamara, worked at Hsinchu. I’m not quite sure of his title. He was the head of logistics or operations of the base from 1957 or 58 to July 1962.
Do you remember him? He died in September of 1962, just a few months after we left Taiwan. He was only 40 years old. Please contact me if you remember him. I understand he had quite a sense of humor and he was a good man.
Shay, Shay
Susie
This message is in regards to Ms McNamara message date 2/13/2012. I have some pictures that may be of her father taken in Taiwan in 1958. I would very much like to be in contact with Ms McNamara and share the photographs if possible. Thankyou.
Dear Mr. Fish,
It’s been two years since I’ve returned to this site. Please forgive me for my horridly delayed response to your kind message and offer. If by chance you still have pictures of my Dad, I’d love to see them!!!
I discovered pictures of him in two books. The first, entitled “CIA,” which is written in Chinese (ISBN 957-08-0593-5) and another book, “The Black Bats: CIA Spy Flights Over China from Taiwan (1951-1969)” ISBN 978-7643-3513-6
Again, my sincere apologies for not having responded to your message. My email address is susiemcp@cox.net
Thank you, Mr. Fish.
Sincerely,
Susie