I didn't know you could run 2 youtube vids simultaneously...pretty cool effect. Annnndddd....I had to go down the rabbit hole of searching up the helicopter online and reading about development, size, engines, armaments, use in Viet Nam...and on and on. I am surprised at the weight..5200 lbs empty, about the same weight as my pig of a Nissan Pathfinder!
Was about to pull the post....
The stuff that comes back when one hears a huey again.
The whine at start-up, waiting for the exhaust temp to rise, the change in the beat of the main rotor, the smell of the JP-4 fuel, the danger of that tail rotor, the Jesus Nut, the pilots putting in their chicken plates, the smell of the sweaty helmet, listening in to the pre-flight discussion of the lift capacity in today's temps. Thinking we're done for day and getting another call and hot refueling to go back out.
The day we picked up one of my instructors from medic training! Sweet Mx/American with wife, 2 kids. Always gave us married guys time off on Saturdays. Lifer. On his 3rd tour. He wouldn't have a 4th. Buttocks cleaved off by a bouncing betty mine.
The time I was assigned to guard duty. Sgt of the Guard posted me to tower 3. He was drunk, or doped up. It was the least likely avenue of approach to the hosp compound. So I was quite willing to shout, "HEY, I can SEE you! Scram!"
Coming off guard duty at sunrise - the Lt. noticed I was standing formation with my hands in my pockets. One of my buddies pointed out that they had tried to tell the Sgt,
"he's a CO, Sarge! The Lt didn't see the humor in it. Yelled at the Sgt and made me burn the sh_tters for that weekend.
If I hear a Huey fly by, (very rare now) I'll go into the yard and look for it. Every time.
And I'm sure others do the same.
Yrs ago I was at the opening ceremony of a Vietnam vet's memorial park along the river in Dayton. Lot of big shots there, boss of WrightPatt field, mayor, congressman, etc., etc.
The guest speaker was being delivered to the event by helicopter. A channel 7 helicopter. He made an approach and delicately dropped off the dignitary ..... then he set off flying that bird up and down the river, low and at speed, making tight turns and coming down the river again and again. He was flying below where we were standing! Had to be breaking all kinds of FAA rules!
He finally roared off. Impressed the H out of all of us Vietnam vets!
A buddy leaned over and said, "I know him, he flew hueys in 'Nam!"
...ah, don't get me started.
Stig
