When C-119s were first loaned to the French in Vietnam in 1953, US markings had reportedly been removed carefully, but that was clearly not the case during the Squaw II deployment in 1954. The second aircraft even still wears the 'Packet Rats' name of the 65th Troop Carrier Squadron. Another photo confirms that the first is tail number 9187 (full USAF serial 49-187). Note that the Flying Boxcars appear to operate without their clamshell doors. From 14 to 16 March 1954, two airborne batallions were parachuted into Dien Bien Phu. Photo by: Joe Scherschel / Life

French Flying Boxcars - sort of! The USAF loaned some C-119s to the French forces in Vietnam from May 1953. They were flown by mixed Civil Air Transport (CAT) and French crews. 51-2541 was allocated call sign F-OYXB. It returned to Clark AFB, Philippines in July 1953, but here it is back in Vietnam in March 1954 during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu when the C-119s flew very dangerous missions. Photo by: Joe Scherschel / Life