That they were! Most everything the National Guard had was hand-me-downs. Many of our aircraft had mishaps due to age and the relative lack of proper maintenance. I helped to fight an onboard fire once myself on an ANG aircraft. Looking back, fear never entered my mind. Panic was close, but being prior active duty before joining the Guard, and having well trained veterans among us, saved the day. The guys with no prior service were nearly useless.
Still, the condition of National Guard equipment was not an issue during this period. National Guard recruiters had no qualms in telling potential members they wouldn't have to worry about Viet Nam. That's the way it was. It would have been better if National Guard slots had been reserved for active duty veterans only.
That whole war stunk. Not the men that served their country. The government running the war was the source of the stink.
Thanks for the info.