December 2013
www.inflightusa.com
47
YANKS AIR MUSEUM UNVEILS ITS NEWLY RESTORED UH-1H “HUEY” HELICOPTER Yanks Air Museum (www.yanksair.com) honored the pilots and crew of the 335th Assault Helicopter Company and the 173rd Airborne Brigade on November 16, 2013 by inviting members to participate in the unveiling of a UH1H “Huey” helicopter. The museum’s newest display and restoration of the Vietnam War veteran Huey was completed in the 335th Assault Helicopter Company ‘Cowboys’ markings. Over a dozen 335th AHC pilot and crewmembers attended, along with members of the 173rd Airborne, for which the 335th provided air support in Vietnam, from 19651971. The veterans were honored in the dedication ceremony, and spoke to the crowd of their experiences in and out of combat zones in the Vietnam. Although the veteran pilots, crew chiefs, mechanics and field doctor spoke of the fierce fighting conditions which they and their Hueys were subjected to, the veterans also spoke of the solid bonds of brotherhood, camaraderie and fellowship they gained while serving together. Many vets pointed to others in the group, recounting times when their life had been saved by the actions of their fellow soldier. Others remembered the lighter side; young soldiers’ pranks upon each other, gaffs and goofs that nearly killed them but made for huge laughs later. August ‘Gus’ Swanson, pilot for the 335th in 1967-1968, was instrumental in the hunt for parts and artwork as he performed a role of technical advisor throughout the Huey’s restoration to ensure its accuracy. “We drove 50 miles into the desert to a boneyard to collect all manner of parts for this ship,” Gus related to the crowd. “We spent three hours driving round-trip so we could collect the right plugs for the seat rails, that’s how meticulous these guys [Yanks] were about this restoration”.
A young “pilot in charge” gets to sit at the controls of the Huey. (Yanks Air Museum)
Yanks Air Museum’s newest display, the UH-1H “Huey” helicopter. (Yanks Air Museum)
Yanks Air Museum had spent many years searching for the right Huey to add to the Museum’s collection. The airframe had been with the US Forestry Department for years, before it was acquired by the museum and arrived on August 30, 2013. Charles Nichols, proprietor of Yanks, then lost no time in getting the Huey refurbished and outfitted for static display. In just two short months, the Huey had been stripped, sanded, painted, reassembled and guns mounted. It received its final paint and nose art (painted by Victory Girl at www.victorygirl.com) just days before the dedication ceremony. Frank Wright, Restoration Manager, oversaw the Huey’s transformation to its original ‘slick’ state. Yanks Museum Director Christen Wright, organized the dedication of the Huey noting, “This event allows us to give our veterans our support. They didn’t
get much when they were returning from Vietnam.” These crews, with their ‘slicks’ provided troop transport, combat assault missions, ammunition supplies, extractions from combat zones, and many other vital missions during Vietnam. ‘Gus’ Swanson, stated, “The helicopter made the Vietnam War a new kind of mobile war. A quick medivac and quick re-supplying of food and ammo was now possible. We could land anywhere, we could get there immediately and this made a big difference in saving people’s lives.” You can view the ‘Cowboys’ Huey at Yanks Air Museum, 7000 Merrill Avenue (#35-A270), Chino, California, during their operating hours Mon.Sat. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Huey has been stripped, sanded, painted, reassembled before joining the museum’s static display. (Yanks Air Museum)
AMERITECH INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES Ameritech Industries, Inc. the parent company of Eagle Engines and American Propeller of Redding, California, are pleased to announce the Eagle Engine overhaul for certified Lycoming and Continental Engines. The Eagle Engine overhaul combines the best features from what was known as their Stratos and Marquis Series overhauls. The Eagle Engine is built to “Zero
Time” new Engine Limits, meets current factory TBO’s and offers the best value per hour for aircraft owners. As a pioneer in converting Continental IO-520’s to IO-550’s, Ameritech can perform engine upgrades and conversions utilizing its own STC’s as well as others. Integration of Certified Electronic Ignition is available for most engine models at specialized pricing.
The Yanks Company. (Yanks Air Museum)
THE
EAGLE ENGINE OVERHAUL
Cylinders are port matched for efficiency and crankshaft assemblies are dynamic balance checked to exceed factory new engine specifications. Connecting rods, pistons with rings and piston pins are balance checked as assemblies to exceed “factory new” specifications. Normal parts replacement meets or exceeds manufacturer’s requirements. All Continued on Page 54