Gifts from a journey in a Vietnam-era Huey

Austin American-Stateman ^ | Feb 8, 2005 | Brad Buchholz

[rwardSC83]

GOD BLESS ALL YOU VETS!

The Huey is a mighty fine aircraft. One day.. just maybe..I dream of flying one.

Any Huey Pilot/Instructors in the crowd???

[ChefKeith]

FYI

[leadpenny]

Thanks for the ping. I'll try to catch it.

[ladtx]

You can buy the DVD from their website. See post #3.

[ladtx]

And the Navy DID have Huey pilots in Vietnam, they were called the Grey Wolves.

They were the Seawolves. They flew mainly down in IV Corps. We flew with them a lot off the Seafloat anchored in the river in and out of the Ca Mau and U Minh forests. We always enjoyed flying with them because there was always a real mission flying the SEALS around, plus that good Navy chow. I volunteered to fly with them every chance I got.

[ladtx]

I've written a few poems of my tour over there also. Here's one.

THE CHAPEL BELL'S LAST CLANG

It's night outside the chapel at Soc Trang.
A gentle wind stirs from the still airfield.
We all wait for the chapel bell's last clang.

Was from the heart, Amazing Grace we sang.
Silence falls, the chaplain rises, our soul's shield.
It's night outside the chapel at Soc Trang.

We began the day not fearing wars fang.
We had been wounded before but we healed.
We all wait for the chapel bell's last clang.

Some worked, some slept, at the club some sang.
While others flew and from Odins blows reeled.
It's night outside the chapel at Soc Trang.

We've tasted it; we all know it, fear's tang.
Bitter and sweet, that fruit of the battlefield.
We all wait for the chapel bell's last clang.

For the crew, we mourn, the chapel bell rang.
Taps in the darkness, no tear is concealed.
It's night outside the chapel at Soc Trang.
We all wait for the chapel bell's last clang.

[ladtx]

Any Huey Pilot/Instructors in the crowd???

I was a Huey (UH-1), CH-47 and OH-58 instructor pilot at the Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, AL off and on from 1976-1982. Also was a unit IP in Korea and Germany.

[ken5050]

Thanks..will do so..they should do well selling them..

[CholeraJoe]

fell better soon.

I wish I had fell better. Gravity kicked my a$$ that morning.;-)

[Colt .45]

You're right, they were the Seawolves. Sorry for the error, I just took exception to the fact that Flylow seemed to think that the Navy flew nothing except for "starched wings". But then I might have misread his post also.

[usmcobra]

Do you know why Huey blades make that wop wop wop sound?

True factiod: that is the sound of the blade tips going supersonic.

[snippy_about_it]

fell better soon.

LOL. Freudian slip!

[ladtx]

Actually I think blade-vortex interaction noise or the pop of the blade occurs when the blade strikes the vortex created by the tip of the preceding blade. It's been a long time since I've done any instructing and I can't remember if the blades have to be supersonic to produce the sound but I don't think so. I would have to dig through my old aerodyamics manual to refresh my memory. FlyLow or leadpenny may be able to correct me if I'm wrong.

I do remember bringing a formation of Chinooks back into Camp Humphreys in Korea one cold clear winter morning. It was a Sunday and we set up a shallow descent to land (the condition that produces the loudest "pop") and knew that "pop" would get everyones attention. When I got to the club later I was told we had the windows vibrating in the place, so much so they were afraid they would crack. I really miss that sound.

[leadpenny]

I really miss that sound.

I do too. It's why I have a Low Rider Harley with straight pipes. As for the sound of the rotor blades - it's caused by magic, blue smoke and mirrors.