Huey warbird flies AGAIN in Uk

[sabredriver]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m7YRFxT ... ed&search=

darn excelleent video... shame the US cant save more Hueys like this .. amazing to see the museum where this came from was stocked full of spares huey frames...

Very soon the australian army will retire their 40year UH-1Hs Hueys also and i do hope some private buyers can keep them flying into futrue down under also.. just as this english man done also...

[CAPFlyer]

Umm... what do you mean "more"?

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... eltxt=UH-1

There are currently 625 UH-1s still in use in the United States. Most of these are working every day, earning a living. But there are several dozen fliers that are ex-military and flown as warbirds.

There was recently a documentary on the Military Channel in the US about one UH-1 that flew all over the country for veterans called "In the Shadow of the Blade".

The problem is that there is no program like this to make their existence well known and they don't have the money to do programs like this themselves.

Maybe if we can convince more of these TV shows to come feature the veteran aircraft flying every day, people (and especially veterans) will realize that there are people out there who are proud of what they've done and are keeping their history alive.

[Rob Mears]

Someone who's willing to dedicate themself to the UH-1 should pull the history cards on every one of these surviving airframes (beginning with the unconverted, privately owned types like those at the Olympic Flight Museum) and identify which survivors are the most historically significant. Anyone who's done this before can tell you, tracking down the facts behind each squadron assignment and the time lines involved leads to a wealth of historical understanding. It's time very well spent for anyone willing to put in the research hours. Furthermore (as seen in the video) there is a completely untapped reservoir of veteran pilots and soldiers out there who up until now have had almost nobody struggling hand over fist to unearth and revive their legacy as American fighting men.

As far as I can tell, the history of the surviving UH-1's as a whole has not been touched on by anyone yet. There's absolutely no existing context in which to perceive the historical relevance of the surviving types, and I guarantee you, quite a few of them will have been scrapped by the time society finally gives them the respect they deserve as warbirds. It all starts with one dedicated researcher to order the history cards, cross reference the serial numbers, then research the histories of the squadrons that each chopper was attached to. There's absolute gold to be found there I guarantee you, and you'll be suprised how many owners have no clue about the historical significance of their specific airframe.

[Former Member]

I've often thought about restoring a UH-1 if I ever get done with this frustrating ball turret project. There's a goldmine of airframe and parts out there which would make restoring one that much easier (but still expensive).

Does anybody know how much restorable airframes go for these days? Any dealers/scrappers that specialize in selling UH-1 airframes?

John

[kmiles]

I highly recommend that video. Either catch it on the Military Channel, or spend the money for the DVD. We took our UH-1E to the showing of the film Northeast of Houston a few months back. The veterans that showed up for the film were suprised when the Huey came in and landed right at the park where they were all waiting to watch the film.

[Jack Cook]

Has I recall Brian Reynolds/OFM's HH-1K Huey is a X-HAL-3 Sea Wolves VN bird.

[N3Njeff]

As far as I can tell, the history of the surviving UH-1's as a whole has not been touched on by anyone yet. There's absolutely no existing context in which to perceive the historical relevance of the surviving types, and I guarantee you, quite a few of them will have been scrapped by the time society finally gives them the respect they deserve as warbirds. It all starts with one dedicated researcher to order the history cards, cross reference the serial numbers, then research the histories of the squadrons that each chopper was attached to. There's absolute gold to be found there I guarantee you, and you'll be suprised how many owners have no clue about the historical significance of their specific airframe.

Sorry Rob, this is already been done. The group is called the VHPA (Vietnam helicopter Pilots Assn) They have put together a CD with ALL helicopters that served in RVN. I have it!!!! All listed by S/N, then gives there History Incountry and any Action reports on file.
As a Vietnam war historian and a BIG HUEY fan. I usually jot down any of the serial numbers that I find of airframes and do the research. NOT do I only tell the owner but I tell the members of the Units ( most have web sites and groups) that the A/C still exists!

[N3Njeff]

The A&P School in burlington was donated a Huey when the VTNG retired them. I ran the history and found that she served the the 117th AHC and the 240th AHC( I personally know people from this unit but thats another story, but was excited to find that she was a GREYHOUND!)

After some digging, I found pics of her and was able to chat with 2 crewmembers who flew her during her time in RVN


Here is a pic of Warlord 679 in Vietnam with her pilot Keith, flown with the 117th AHC



Here she is today.

I have been doing this for years, yes its the great unknown and I am kinda glad. Cause that give me more chances to tell some very special people that THEY are not forgotten and that the machines that saved them have also too survived.

[CAPFlyer]

You should find someone to recreate that nose art. Would look great on that bird.

[Rob Mears]

As a Vietnam war historian and a BIG HUEY fan. I usually jot down any of the serial numbers that I find of airframes and do the research. NOT do I only tell the owner but I tell the members of the Units ( most have web sites and groups) that the A/C still exists!

N3NJeff, I think this is super news, and as you can tell from the tenor expressed in my original post, I most definitely see the work you're doing as a superbly laudable effort. Thanks for taking the time to make the difference!

Now that I know there's a WIX historical contact for the UH-1, I'll make sure to take the time to identify and photograph whatever privately owned Huey fuselages I come across, especially the ones that strike me as derelict, forgotten, or otherwise on the verge of being lost. If any of them turn out to have significantly notable historical ties, then just making their presence known may be enough to give those airframes a second chance.

The UH-1 is so unique and historically important, has such viceral character and evokes such a dramatic response from the vets who fought with it, I'll dare say it'll become a far more significant warbird over the next 20 to 30 years. Not to mention that it still retains a large degree of utility, even in combat configuration. What better way to haul six good buddies to the airshow! As the veterans of Vietnam become our last living combat heroes, I predict the icons of their generation will play far more of a central role on the airshow scene. There's such a huge reserve of spares and viable pilots for the type, the only avenue for regret will be looking back and wondering how many historically significant airframes otherwise forgotten about and destroyed could have been preserved, even as derelicts, for future preservation & restoration.

[N3Njeff]

Well we have talked about painting the Huey back into Vietnam markings. ( my friend is now the head teacher). But i think we have crossed out the 117th markings because of gender issues. So we are more on the side of the 240th AHC, Wht flt markings of the GREYHOUNDS. Besides, a friend of mine from VT flew Charlies with the 240th. I think he would like that too.

[N3Njeff]

Rob, if you get any S/N's, send them over. I will pull them up.

[Nathan]

A Huey flies around my area all the time inspecting the river. Still used quite a bit. Nothing better IMHO.

[Roger Cain]

[quote="sabredriver"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m7YRFxTO2o&mode=related&search=

darn excelleent video... shame the US cant save more Hueys like this .. amazing to see the museum where this came from was stocked full of spares huey frames...

quote]

Can't save more like this? We've got almost what would seem like a surplus of Hueys here on the West Coast and while they may not all be restored as warbirds, there are a number of them in progress.

These are just a few samples I took this year.


This is preserved by EMU Inc. and flown regularly at shows, lots of history at: http://www.emuinc.org/introduction.htm I took this one in June.


This one was at the Planes of Fame show a couple months ago, I don't have my notes, but they have a website, someone else may be able to give the info.


Taken in June, this one does extreme sports lifts.


I took this two weeks ago, these dusters are very common in Ca, may someday out number fixed wing dusters.


Quite a few Hueys are used by the Calif CDF for rotor aircraft work, photo from two months ago.


At Capitol City Air Show two months ago, there are a number of these in Ca used by Police and Sheriff departments.


Currently used by the US military, air show two months ago


Another currently used helo, air show three months ago.


Several weeks ago, I spotted these from the highway in Michigan. They are future projects or parts aircraft, and below is one of three that were being restored in their shop. This one is being finished in Vietnam military markings (although a bit dusty in this picture) and another one was being restored to it's original NASA configuration and paint scheme


Hueys are definitely alive in the US, both old and new, and can also be found on poles and concrete pads all across the country.

And for a hot video, here's an old warbird being currently used by an ammo reloading company in Arizona, out having fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImEiyXPf5Vs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ7cTI623Vg

[oscardeuce]

A book was written about UH-1H 658, and it shoot down resupplying firebase "Eagle's Nest".

"An Eagle's Eye View" by Terry Willman, former cew chief of 658. The shoot down was May 31 1969. We recently sold 658 to get the others up.