July 13-15, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2021
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base hand painted laminated plywood sign depicting a snake sitting in clouds. This design is consistent with insignia and patches that were worn by US Air Force advisors to Thailand in the early years of the Vietnam War. Takhli Air Force base was a hotbed of activity during the Vietnam War and was used by the US Air Force, as well as the Royal Thai Air Force. The base was established in the 1950s, and soon after was utilized by the United States Central Intelligence Agency as a operating base for CIA resupply aircraft. Later, as the war in Vietnam was escalating, US Air Force Personnel were authorized to use the base under the command of the 13th Air Force. The first USAF personnel began arriving at Takhli on February 10, 1961 and began deploying F-100D Super Sabres to the base in order to be used as attack aircraft against the Pathet Lao, who were overrunning most of northwestern Laos. There were a variety of squadrons based at Takhli which were used for a variety of operations including, Operation Rolling Thunder, B-66 Destroyer Operations, the Son Tay Raid, and much more. After the US withdrawal from Thailand in 1976, the base was taken over by the Royal Thai Air Forces and remains in service today. The sign measures approximately 36" tall and 28" wide. It appears that the artist signed their work as there is a name above the word "Thailand" as well as on the reverse of the sign. Some of the paint has faded with age, which is prevalent on the word "Thailand". There are also several chips in the paint and the layers are separating around the edges causing larger chips. CONDITION: Overall good. JLD
Item Dimensions: 36 x 28"