Refueling CH-3E at Lima Site, Bolvens Plateau Laos 1969.

 Our typical "high-tech" type of operations in Laos. I learned something from your photos. I had thought that all Jolly HH-3's had refueling booms. But I can see from your pictures that some of the early HH-3's did not have refueling booms. The CH-3E's of the 21st SOS were identical to the HH-3's except we did not have the refueling boom. (The plumbing was installed including the refueling panel but no boom. We didn't need that capability for the special operations missions and the boom would have added extra weight.) Weight was always a problem at the high density altitudes that we were usually at during SOG team infil /exfil missions. Although the CH-3 was quite efficient at sea level, it's efficiency dropped rapidly as density altitude increased. The tail cargo door ramps were permanently removed from all of our helicopters to save on weight. (Photo and info from Bob Arnau.)