Re: Flying Thunder - Memorial Flight over the Vietnam Wall

[Kaigun Fan]

Hello,

I just wanted to remind everyone that the "Wings and Rotors" Museum will shortly embark on a special journey to fly several Huey helicopters INCLUDING the only flying USN-Combat used Navy "Seawolf" Huey gunship from California to Washington DC.

Their long journey will begin next week. WIX friends please check them out. You can tell the crew that Ron Werneth sent you.

See here:
http://www.flyingthunder.org/index.html

I will be at the DC stop (in Leesburg, VA or possibly NASM).

Help bring some peace and remember our Vietnam Vets.

Blue Skies Always,

Ron W.
www.beyondpearlharbor.com

[retroaviation]

PM sent.

Gary

[TimAPNY]

So at the stops will we have access to the aircraft and meet the crew? I'd be very interested in getting to see the Helo's up close and personal and get a few pictures of them in the air. (I’m looking at the Nashville stop)

I just love Hueys and Cobras!

Tim

[Robbie Stuart]

I will be looking forward to seeing them 5/28 at Atlanta's Peachtree Dekalb stop.
Robbie Stuart
(at PDK)

[Kaigun Fan]

Hello Tim,

YEP - I believe all the helicopters will be on static display. I think, at least three Hueys and one OH-58 will be going.

Thanks for your support.

Ron W.

[LadyO2Pilot]

Doing a show at Ft Worth Meacham 5/30 & 31....absolutely look forward to seeing them there !!!!!!!

[BK]

Progress report:

http://wingsandrotors.org/blog/2008/05/13/hello-world/

According to the Flying Thunder blog they have run into some problems. The Seawolf Huey was grounded by the FAA before they started. One Huey is currently in AZ, hoping to be airborne again tomorrow (Monday). The other Huey is in Clinton, OK down for maintenance hopefully to be back in the air Tuesday. Only the Kiowa is keeping the original schedule at this time. They hope the Hueys will catch up later. Unfortunately, for me that will likely be after the stop in my hometown.

BK

[RickH]

The Collings Foundation UH-1E is now at the VFM Hangar, Meacham Field, Ft Worth. We will be flying experience flights at the Cowtown Warbird Roundup. Come fly with us !!

The OV-10 guys were excited to hear that our Echo was a VMO-2 aircraft, one of their static OV-10s was also with VMO-2.

[BK]

Right on schedule the Kiowa arrived this afternoon at 1630. There was a small but enthusiastic crowd to greet it. The sheriff's Aviation Dept had their Huey and Jet Rangers out flying as well. Not long after word got out that the medi-vac Huey was enroute. I left and came back to catch it land about 2 hours later. They must have rode that puppy hard. It was in Arizona Sunday night and made to East Tennessee at 1830 today. As far as I know the gunship Huey is still in Clinton, OK being worked on. Word was they had to set it down at a truck stop. The truckers were buzzing about it up and down the highways in OK.

BK

[Kaigun Fan]

Hello,

I am now in Leesburg, VA. with the "Wings & Rotors" (two) Hueys and one Kiowa helicopter. The helicopters will be on static display on Saturday, May 24th at Leesburg Airport. Everyone traveled all the way from California to DC.

Sadly, the people in DC would not give this wonderful group permission to fly over the Vietnam Wall in honor of our vets. Very sad indeed.

If you are in the area, please stop by. I will try to post pictures next week.

Regards,

Ron W.

[Robbie Stuart]

Two Hueys & a OH-58 just departed PDK in Atlanta. They were parked over at Atlantic Aviation. I was going to walk over & say hello after work but they got out of here before I got off. Hope they have a safe trip home.
Long Live Thumpers!
Robbie
(former fling wing mechanic)

[RickH]

They are on their way to Birmingham. They expect to be in Ft Worth by this weekend.