SOUTH VIETNAM
*** First reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1970-71
RIVER ASSAULT CRAFT
200 ARMOURED TYPES
A mixed force of various small vessels, see under minor Landing Craft; also River Patrol Boats of the USN PBR Mk 1 and 3, and “Swift” type fast Patrol Craft.
*** Second reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1971-72
Page 659 SOUTH VIETNAM
RIVER ASSAULT CRAFT
200 ARMOURED TYPES
A mixed force of various small vessels, see under minor Landing Craft; also River Patrol Boats of the USN PBR Mk 1 and 3, and “Swift” type fast Patrol Craft.
*** Third reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1972-73
Page 669 SOUTH VIETNAM
Displacement, tons: 22.5 full load Dimensions, feet: 50oa x 13 x 3.5 Guns: 1-81 mm mortar/1-50 cal MG combination mount: 2-50 cal MG (twin) Main engines: 2 geared diesels (General Motors); 960 shp; 2 shafts = 28 knots (maximum) Complement: 6
All-metal inshore patrol craft (PCF). Transferred to
*** Fourth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1973-74
Page 596 SOUTH VIETNAM
107 Ex-US "SWIFT" TYPE
Displacement, tons: 22.5 full load Dimensions, feet: 50oa x 13 x 3.5 Guns: 1-81 mm mortar/1-50 cal MG combination mount: 2-50 cal MG (twin) Main engines: 2 geared diesels (General Motors); 960 bhp; 2 shafts = 28 knots knots Complement: 6
All-metal inshore patrol craft (PCF). Transferred to South Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Numbered in HQ 3800-3887 and later series.
*** Fifth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1974-75
Page 596 SOUTH VIETNAM
Displacement, tons: 22.5 full load Dimensions, feet: 50oa x 13 x 3.5 Guns: 1-81 mm mortar/1-50 cal MG combination mount: 2-50 cal MG (twin) Main engines: 2 geared diesels (General Motors); 960 shp; 2 shafts = 28 knots (maximum) Complement: 6
All-metal inshore patrol craft (PCF). Transferred to South Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Numbered in HQ 3800-3887 and later series.
*** Sixth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1975-76
Page 623 SOUTH VIETNAM
RIVERINE CRAFT
The US Navy has transferred approximately 700 small craft to South Vietnam since 1965 for use in riverine and coastal areas of Indochina. A few former French riverine craft also survive. The exact number of these craft now in service is not known. The following totals were the official South Vietnamese Navy listings in 1972. Some of these craft may not be operational because of maintenance limitations of the South Vietnamese Navy and many are believed to have been lost since the April-May 1972 invasion of South Vietnam by regular forces of the Democratic Republic of (North) Vietnam. In addition to the armed craft grouped here under the category of Riverine Craft, there are numerous small landing craft, which are armed.
Displacement, tons: 22.5 full load Dimensions, feet: 50oa x 13 x 3.5 Guns: 1-81 mm mortar/1-50 cal MG combination mount: 2-50 cal MG (twin) Main engines: 2 geared diesels (General Motors); 960 bhp; 2 shafts = 28 knots (maximum) Complement: 6
All-metal inshore patrol craft (PCF). Transferred to South Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Numbered in HQ 3800-3887 and later series.
Page 658 ADDENDA
SOUTH VIETNAM
The following South Vietnamese ships are reported to have fled Vietnamese waters immediately after the surrender of on 29 April 1975; most of them heavily laden with refugees; their fate is unknown, but they probably will revert to US custody:
Tran Hung Dao HQ 01 Tran Quang Khai HQ 02 Tran Nhat Duat HQ 03 Tran Binh Trong HQ 05 Tran Quoc Toan HQ 06 Dong Da II HQ 07 Chi Lang II HQ 08 Chi Linh HQ 11 Ngoc Hoi HQ 12 Van Kiep II HQ 14 Ly Thoung Kiet HQ16 Ngo Kuyen HQ 17 Doan Ngoc Tang HQ 228 Lulu Phu Tho HQ 229 Niguyen Duc Bong HQ 231 Thien Kich HQ 329 Han Giang HQ 401 Huong Giang HQ 404 HQ 470 HQ 471 Thi Nai HQ 502 Phu Du HQ 600 Hon Troc HQ 618 Huynh Van Cu HQ 800 My Tho HQ 702 Can Tho HQ 801 Vinh Long HQ 802
The following ships are known to have been scuttled after reaching the open sea and transferring their cargo of refugees and their crews to US Navy ships: Lam Giang HQ 402, HQ 474, and Keo Ngua HQ 604. The frigate Tran Khanh Du HQ 04 was in a shipyard when surrendered and was captured by North Vietnamese troops.
*** Seventh reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1976-77
Page 765 VIETNAM/VIETNAM (REPUBLIC OF)/VIRGIN ISLANDS/YEMEN-NORTH
VIETNAM (Republic of)
The government of South Vietnam surrendered on 29 April 1975 following an all-out assault by North Vietnamese forces. A large number of Vietnamese naval units fled the country during the capitulation, carrying refugees to Hong Kong, Guam, and the Philippines. A few overcrowded and damaged ships were scuttled after transferring their passengers to other ships.
The Addenda of the 1975-1976 edition of Jane’s Fighting Ships list most of the vessels that escaped from Vietnamese waters (page 658).
Most of the larger combatants as well as several amphibious and auxiliary ships reached the Philippines and have been acquired by the Philippine Navy for further service. See the Philippine section of this edition for a listing of those ships scheduled through spring 1976 for transfer.
The 1975-1976 edition contains an essentially complete listing of the South Vietnam Navy’s order of battle as of April 1975.
*** Eighth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1977-78
Page 752 VIETNAM
RIVERINE CRAFT
The US Navy transferred approximately 700 armed small craft to South Vietnam since 1965. A few former French riverine craft also survive. The exact number of these craft now in service is not known.
In addition to the armed craft grouped here under the category of Riverine (Warfare) Craft, there are numerous small craft, which are armed.
Displacement, tons: 22.5 full load Dimensions, feet (metres): 50oa x 13 x 3.5 (15.2 x 3.8 x 1.1) Guns: 1-81 mm mortar/1-50 cal MG combination mount: 2-50 cal MG (twin) Main engines: 2 geared diesels (General Motors); 960 bhp; 2 shafts = 28 knots (maximum) Complement: 6
All-metal inshore patrol craft (PCF). Transferred to South Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Numbered in HQ 3800-3887 and later series.
*** Ninth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1978-79
Page 749 VIETNAM
RIVERINE CRAFT
The US Navy has transferred approximately 700 small craft to South Vietnam since 1965. A few former French riverine craft also survive. The exact number of these craft now in service is not known.
In addition to the armed craft grouped here under the category of Riverine (Warfare) Craft, there are numerous small landing craft, which are armed.
Displacement, tons: 22.5 full load Dimensions, feet (metres): 50oa x 13 x 3.5 (15.2 x 3.8 x 1.1) Guns: 1-81 mm mortar/1-50 cal MG combination mount: 2-50 cal MG (twin) Main engines: 2 geared diesels (General Motors); 960 bhp; 2 shafts = 28 knots (maximum) Complement: 6
All-metal inshore patrol craft (PCF). Transferred to South Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Numbered in HQ 3800-3887 and later series.
*** Tenth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1979-80
Page 772 VIETNAM / Amphibious forces – Riverine craft
RIVERINE CRAFT
The US Navy has transferred approximately 700 small craft to South Vietnam since 1965. A few former French riverine craft also survive. The exact number of these craft now in service is not known.
In addition to the armed craft grouped here under the category of Riverine (Warfare) Craft, there are numerous small landing craft, which are armed.
Displacement, tons: 22.5 full load Dimensions, feet (metres): 50oa x 13 x 3.5 (15.2 x 3.9 x 1.1) Guns: 1-81 mm mortar/1-50 cal MG combination mount: 2-50 cal MG (twin) Main engines: 2 General Motors geared diesels; 960 bhp; 2 shafts = 28 knots (maximum) Complement: 6
All-metal inshore patrol craft (PCF). Transferred to South Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Numbered in HQ 3800-3887 and later series.
*** Eleventh reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1980-81
Page 717 Amphibious forces / VIETNAM
RIVERINE CRAFT
Displacement, tons: 22.5 full load Dimensions, feet (metres): 50oa x 13 x 3.5 (15.2 x 3.9 x 1.1) Guns: 1-81 mm mortar/1-.5 cal MG combination mount: 2-.5 cal MGs (twin) Main engines: 2 General Motors geared diesels; 960 bhp; 2 shafts = 28 knots (maximum) Complement: 6
All-metal inshore patrol craft (PCF). Transferred to South Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Numbered in HQ 3800-3887 and later series.
*** Twelfth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1981-82
Page 720 VIETNAM / Operational ships – Non-operational ships
NON-OPERATIONAL SHIPS
LIGHT FORCES
Transferred to South Vietnam 1969-70.
*** Thirteenth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1982-83
Page 705 VIETNAM / Operational ships – Non-operational ships
NON-OPERATIONAL SHIPS
LIGHT FORCES
Transferred to South Vietnam 1969-70.
*** Fourteenth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1983-84
Page 747 VIETNAM / Operational ships – Non-operational ships
NON-OPERATIONAL SHIPS
LIGHT FORCES
Transferred to South Vietnam 1969-70.
*** Fifteenth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1984-85
Page 762 VIETNAM / Operational ships – Non-operational ships
NON-OPERATIONAL SHIPS
LIGHT FORCES
Transferred to South Vietnam 1969-70.
*** Sixteenth reference to a South Vietnam PCF “Swift” in “Jane’s Fighting Ships” 1985-86
Page 747 VIETNAM / Operational ships – Non-operational ships
NON-OPERATIONAL SHIPS
LIGHT FORCES
Transferred to South Vietnam 1969-70.
NOTE: There is no further mention of PCFs or Swift Boats in later editions of Jane’s Fighting Ships!
Vietnam swift (Mark I) --- No markings, only 2 .50 cals ... but note the flag, photo is circa 1977
| Nest of a single Mark I and three Mark III Vietnamese swift boats ... photo was taken in 2002 in the Rach Gia area. The Mark III swift boat in the middle of the front line appears to have some old numbers showing through the old gray paint on the right side of the newer numbers. Under magnification they appear to be the numbers "36" and painted in the US Navy style of block numbers with angled (cutoff) corners. If this is so, then the Mark III in the middle of the front row would be the ex-US Navy swift boat "PCF-694," which was turned over to the Vietnamese navy and renumbered as PCF- 3936! |
Return to the Jane's
history main page
This page was last updated on:
June 03, 2007 at
16:52