A Helicopter-Tail Tale or, "Who Lowered The Boom?"
Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:26 pm
It's February, 1952 and HMR-162, a marine helicopter squadron flying the Sikorsky HRS-1 (S-55) is engaged in an exercise from the USS Rendova. Based out of Marine Corps Air Facility, Santa Ana (later MCAS Tustin), today they are practicing the new combat tactic of vertical envelopement. Launching from the Rendova about ten miles out to sea, they approach their "landing site" at Camp Pendleton each carrying a compliment of about eight combat equipped Marines. "Embedded" with and aboard one of the HRS-1's is reporter Stanley Dunn from the Los Angeles Examiner, and a photographer.
HRS-1, call sign "How-Sugar Six" of HMR-162 has just landed and offloaded his Marines. As he becomes airborne again, some twenty feet or so up, the driveshaft breaks. Pilot Sam Richardson has nowhere to go but down - fast. Ground contact forces the rotor blades downward, one blade striking and severing the tail boom. Sam and the copilot get out just fine and no one on the ground is injured.
Tail-end charlie in the exercise is my Dad, Captain Roy Thorson flying How-Sugar Four (BuNo127820). As he lands to offload his Marines, the L.A. Examiner photographer takes this picture:
We don't get to see much of helicopter warbirds on this forum and the above is a long-winded way of introducing you to a new website I've poured some time into regarding the Marine, HRS helicopters:
http://www.hrs-helicopter.com
It's a growing database (I hope!) of all 245 HRS helicopters scheduled for delivery to the USMC. Check it out and let me know what you think. If you've got any additions or any suggestions - I'd be very appreciative.
HRS-1, call sign "How-Sugar Six" of HMR-162 has just landed and offloaded his Marines. As he becomes airborne again, some twenty feet or so up, the driveshaft breaks. Pilot Sam Richardson has nowhere to go but down - fast. Ground contact forces the rotor blades downward, one blade striking and severing the tail boom. Sam and the copilot get out just fine and no one on the ground is injured.
Tail-end charlie in the exercise is my Dad, Captain Roy Thorson flying How-Sugar Four (BuNo127820). As he lands to offload his Marines, the L.A. Examiner photographer takes this picture:
We don't get to see much of helicopter warbirds on this forum and the above is a long-winded way of introducing you to a new website I've poured some time into regarding the Marine, HRS helicopters:
http://www.hrs-helicopter.com
It's a growing database (I hope!) of all 245 HRS helicopters scheduled for delivery to the USMC. Check it out and let me know what you think. If you've got any additions or any suggestions - I'd be very appreciative.
????
Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:29 pm
Cool!
My cousin's 2nd tour in VN was with HMM-162 flying CH-46s 1968-69.
His first was with HMM-362 flying UH-34s 1966-67.
My cousin's 2nd tour in VN was with HMM-162 flying CH-46s 1968-69.
His first was with HMM-362 flying UH-34s 1966-67.
Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:56 pm
Jack,
I figured it would catch your attention - thanks! Did you get my PM a couple weeks back about the possibility of any HRS photographs in your collection? Shot-in-the-dark but I had to give it a try.
I figured it would catch your attention - thanks! Did you get my PM a couple weeks back about the possibility of any HRS photographs in your collection? Shot-in-the-dark but I had to give it a try.
Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:25 pm
Great to see a new website Craig! I'll enjoy watching for new info and the gallery opening. Do you
ever check out www.popasmoke.com ? I didn't see it in your Links section, lotta good info in there.
Thanks!
ever check out www.popasmoke.com ? I didn't see it in your Links section, lotta good info in there.
Thanks!
????
Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:30 pm
Craig,
I missed your PM which is not suprising since I don't get notifications.
Sorry no helos pics except some of my cousins VN shots and Navy SH-3s and SH-60s.
I missed your PM which is not suprising since I don't get notifications.
Sorry no helos pics except some of my cousins VN shots and Navy SH-3s and SH-60s.
Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:54 am
Very cool Craig! Keep the pictures coming.
Gary
Gary