Hello fellow WIX'ers,
This is my first post after lurking around here for some time due to the awesome thread about Diamond Lil's tranformation done by Gary and crew. What a captivating, educational and inspiring display of dedication and hard work as well as talent. I, for one, am deeply grateful for the efforts of the many who work so diligently to preserve a part of history when so many courageous Americans rose to meet a great challenge. We will always be indebted to them. As a member of the CAF, I worked on the warbirds at the SoCal Wing, including the PBJ currently under restoration. I haven't been out there for a while but I'm heading back there because I feel the need.
Especially since I've taken the plunge. Yes, fellow Wix'ers, I bought a warbird, sort of, ya' might say! Last year I bought a 1956 US Army Hiller OH-23C "Raven" helicopter badly in need of restoration. Got it from a museum with no logs or anything that would detail its history. Well, after many months of phone calls to the Army I was able to get some history on her. She served as a primary trainer at FT. Wolters in Texas from 1961-1972. She trained many pilots who then headed of to Huey school before heading off to Vietnam. The Army discharged the copter from service in 1996 and the records were destroyed in 1997. An Armor Museum somehow ended up with the copter and stored it inside one of the hangars for about 8 years before selling it to me. I like a challenge!!
That's when the fun began, trying to get it registered with the FAA. Which after months of research to establish the ownership trail and getting notarized paperwork and affidavits, I finally received the registration certificate two weeks ago....yippeee!
Anyway the copter now sits again at Ft. Wolters in Texas at a shop where the owner specializes in working on Hillers. I plan on making a trip out there soon to pick her up and begin the lengthy restoration process to flying staus. I have people with know how who have volunteered to help and I'm gonna need it.
I have a passion to restore this "warbird" because I've known friends and pilots who served in Vietnam. They are no less heroes to me than the heroes I've met who served in WWII or the heroes who serve now! This restoration will be my small tribute to them. I will fly this copter one day and I will always remember the reason she flew...to train men for war!
Sorry for the long post but it's my first and I wanted to say what a great place this is. I love the old photos and stories as well the fabulous information shared here.
Let's keep 'em flying!
Dave
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) to see the P-38 and what ever else might be in the shop and say hello. We like warbird helos too. That's really cool to be able to do what your doing. Keep us posted!
