History on Army helicopter?

Sun Jun 12, 2005 3:27 pm

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction - I'm trying to find the military history of a Hiller helicopter I own.

I've had to guess who might have records on this aircraft. I've e-mailed the Hiller museum, VHPA, US Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker (which incidentally has an OH-23B just a few numbers off from mine), and the USAF Historical Research Agency at Maxwell. I don't expect any responses for a few days, but thought I'd ask someone here if they might know of an organization that would have records I'm looking for.

It's an ex-Army OH-23B, S/N 51-16146. Year manufactured is 1952.
The Army sold it on Oct. 19, 1972 by a Mr. Keneth C. Thomas, Sales Contracting Officer, Defense Surplus Sales Office, Fleet Station, San Diego.

Thanks,
Jennifer

Sun Jun 12, 2005 3:48 pm

Thanks for the quick respone. I'm glad to know the Hiller Museum should have some information - the helicopter will be down there next Saturday for the Vertical Challenge airshow. I don't know if that's any incentive for them to search the records quickly or not, but I can hope.

Jennifer

Sun Jun 12, 2005 4:41 pm

Hiller Museum. Is that the same Hiller Museum in San Carlos Ca.? I've been meaning to go there. Flew outta there and touched and go'd there a half a zillion times, never stopped in to see the museum though.

Edit 15 minutes later.

I just checked the ole internot. It shore is. Hi Jennifer! Are you based outta LVK?

Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:26 am

Yep, the one in San Carlos. I think admission to the museum is free during the airshow....there were some interesting things in there. This will be the fist year that the Hiller will be operational - I wanted to bring it to the previous three but something always breaks, sometimes in a BIG way. Good thing Franklins are "cheap"....

I'm based at O69, but know some fellows at LVK...

Jennifer

Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:58 pm

Jennifer,

Looking forward to seeing your Hiller helo at the show this weekend. They've had such a hard time getting one to come to the shows, it's nice to see at least one there.

Will it be flying, or a static display?

Mon Jun 13, 2005 10:18 pm

The Army aviation museum at Ft. Rucker was a bust - they don't have any information for aircraft, apparently. I'm not sure if the Hiller museum was a bust...I asked for details regarding the airshow in my email also, and the request for the military history was ignored. I'm supposed to get something the mail Real Soon Now.

I'm assuming that it's static display only....we weren't asked to fly. I'll know more when I get my information.

Just hope it doesn't rain now....

Jennifer