Northwest Helicopters--Where Hueys get reborn

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

Wow, great post and awesome shots! I've only recently heard of the amazing things they do with Huey's there. Back in December I started working with the Snohomish County Helicopter Team to provide some promotional video/photos for their huge fundraiser push this year (fed. funding was cut last year) and learned their workhorse, a UH-1H plus 701 called SnoHawk10, came from there. This airframe received over $1 million in upgrades and overhaul from NW Helicopters in, I believe, 2011. She's actually a Vietnam vet as well, (her hangarmate is a "Silent One" also from Vietnam!!) and last Wednesday I had a first-hand account of their work.



image by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
Crew chief keeping a watchful eye on the situation as he brings up a rescuer.


image by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
The pilots bring SnoHawk10 back down to reset for another training run.


image by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
Best way to get this shot? Laying flat on my back!


image by fight2flyphoto, on Flickr
Got pretty dark on the way home, but soon I'll have a full walk around video showing all the upgrades she received, including the glass cockpit.

Those folks at Northwest Helicopters sure do a great job, and thank you again for the shots of their facility... That's an incredible amount of history under one roof!

[ZRX61]

This airframe received over $1 million in upgrades and overhaul from NW Helicopters in, I believe, 2011. She's actually a Vietnam vet as well, (her hangarmate is a "Silent One" also from Vietnam!!) and last Wednesday I had a first-hand account of their work.

What's the serial #?

[p51]

Other exciting helicopter news....notice the Huskie in photo 4. I'd really like to see more of those fly.

It never gets old, seeing that thing take to the air at the air shows at Oly, along with other stuff from the company owner's collection...

[The Inspector]

Other exciting helicopter news....notice the Huskie in photo 4. I'd really like to see more of those fly.

It never gets old, seeing that thing take to the air at the air shows at Oly, along with other stuff from the company owner's collection...

I believe it's the only one still airworthy of the tiny handful that still exist (only others I know of are @ MUSAF and Hill Museum) and the only set of blades that still have hours left on them.
Last year when the truck knocked down the I-5 Skagit River bridge, the first 4 of many helos that showed up were, the 3 Seattle network news helos (already flying doing news stories) and #4 was Sno10 that came from KPAE to Mt. Vernon about 25 miles before the Navy could get their UH-60 SAR bird in the air from Whidbey NAS, about 15 miles away.

[Mark Allen M]

I have a relative who still walks around with small peices of North Vietnamese/Chinese/Russian metal from flying on these missions in these contraptions over in that part of the world when it was very dangerous to be in that part of the world.


Pony Express missions carried just about anything to support the secret missions and radar sites in Laos. This Green Hornet UH-1 at the forward operation location at Duc Lap, South Vietnam, is hauling lumber and plywood sheets. (U.S. Air Force photo)


A UH-1 crew armed and ready for a covert mission. Notice the flexible ladder that could be extended to pick up personnel when the helicopter could not land. (U.S. Air Force photo)


The crew of a 20th Special Operations Squadron UH-1 crew on alert at Thieu Atar, a forward operating location near the border of Laos. When a call came, they quickly put their cots, folding chairs and other items back into the baggage compartment. (U.S. Air Force photo)


On alert at Ban Don, South Vietnam, in July 1970. From locations along the borders with Cambodia and Laos, the US Air Force helicopters covertly inserted reconnaissance teams, which included local peoples like the Hmong, along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. (U.S. Air Force photo)

[RickH]

US Air Force helicopters covertly inserted reconnaissance teams,

I don't know how anyone thought they were doing ANYTHING COVERTLY in a Huey !

[The Inspector]

US Air Force helicopters covertly inserted reconnaissance teams,

I don't know how anyone thought they were doing ANYTHING COVERTLY in a Huey !

They timed the missions to coincide with NVA troops attending USO type shows to hear AC-DSKI play

[gary1954]

When I was associated with the Huey during my time as a helicopter mechanic in the Army, My favorite part of a mission was engine start. I always loved the clicking of the exciters and the whine of that Turbine. Awesome

And standing next to a Chinook when the throttles were moved from ground to flight always gave me goose bumps....Awesome!

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

This airframe received over $1 million in upgrades and overhaul from NW Helicopters in, I believe, 2011. She's actually a Vietnam vet as well, (her hangarmate is a "Silent One" also from Vietnam!!) and last Wednesday I had a first-hand account of their work.

What's the serial #?

Huey: 70-15757
MD500P: 66-17825

Other exciting helicopter news....notice the Huskie in photo 4. I'd really like to see more of those fly.

It never gets old, seeing that thing take to the air at the air shows at Oly, along with other stuff from the company owner's collection...

I believe it's the only one still airworthy of the tiny handful that still exist (only others I know of are @ MUSAF and Hill Museum) and the only set of blades that still have hours left on them.
Last year when the truck knocked down the I-5 Skagit River bridge, the first 4 of many helos that showed up were, the 3 Seattle network news helos (already flying doing news stories) and #4 was Sno10 that came from KPAE to Mt. Vernon about 25 miles before the Navy could get their UH-60 SAR bird in the air from Whidbey NAS, about 15 miles away.

Yeah, they've got some pretty good response time. One rescue mission was some 90 minutes from call to care some 30 miles away. Not too shabby, considering a ground rescue estimated 8 hours for the total mission. Saved this guy's neck. Literally. Broken neck, broken ribs, punctured lung, shattered ankle. He was even ready to go climb the same mountain one year later!

[Chappie]

My favorite part of a mission was engine start. I always loved the clicking of the exciters and the whine of that Turbine. Awesome.

I've never crewed Hueys but we used to have them stop in at our airport where I used to work line service and I always like the engine starts as well.

Great photos of all those Hueys! I too would scoop up a couple of those after hitting the Powerball. I'd look for two (one slick and one gunship) with a good combat history and finish it in those markings. When I would fly it I have my iPOD in my ears playing 'Paint It Black', 'Ride of the Valkryies', 'For What Its Worth', etc.


Chappie

[N3Njeff]

I may be the resident N3N junkie but having rides in a P-51 and a TBM avenger at 100ft up Ft. Laud beach with another TBM in formation as some pretty good fun..........Number ONE on my list still needs to be checked off and thats on a UH-1.

As a Vietnam historian, you cannot call yourself one if you dont know a thing or two about this machine. Like the walking veterans among us, many of these airframes we see need to be held with the same respect and honor. Within those thin sheet of aluminum and rivets is the Blood of some fine american boys.

[maxum96]

When I was associated with the Huey during my time as a helicopter mechanic in the Army, My favorite part of a mission was engine start. I always loved the clicking of the exciters and the whine of that Turbine. Awesome

I'm guessing this is from Japan, but great sound of a Huey engine start.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHEQ3Z2KysI

[Fight2FlyPhoto]

You folks mentioned how much you love the sound of it starting up, so I thought that would be a proper way to start the video as well.

Quick video from last weeks Huey flight.
http://youtu.be/QYJcxZGY-UQ

[The Inspector]

You folks mentioned how much you love the sound of it starting up, so I thought that would be a proper way to start the video as well.

Quick video from last weeks Huey flight.
http://youtu.be/QYJcxZGY-UQ

The T-53 starting up sounds exactly like the GTCP-85 APU in a 727/737/MD-80-SWEET!

[RickH]

The Collings Foundation UH-1E serverd in Viet Nam as a gunship with VMO-6, VMO-2, HML 167, and HML 367.

Her logbooks indicate that during the Tet Offensive she was doing gunship runs and medivacs.

She was flown in combat by Capt Stephen Pless, the Marine's only pilot MOH recipient.

It is an honor to crew her and fly her. I am in constant awe of where she's been and what she accomplished.

You can't believe how often she affects closure for the Vets and families she touches .

The Huey will be joining the Texas portion of the Wings of Freedom tour.