[redcatcherb412]

LOL no, but I always rode behind left seat, feet on the skids to be first off. I usually ended up with 18lbs of radio in addition to basic load. I always wanted to be first off so the guys behind me could pull me out of the mud after jumping down when they couldn't land. That happened with alarming frequency.

[going hot]

LOL,

Was best to get out of the mortar magnet asap.

'Sides, we really did not want to spend any measurable time sitting around at ground level, touch and go if at all possible..

later, on resupply, much more relaxed.

[M-cubed]

as an old crew-chief...Sorry ‘bout that....*smile*..ill buy ya a beer when i get you back to base camp safely.......

[Flag_This]

"I always rode behind left seat, feet on the skids"

Do you happen to know if the skid height changed from version to version, or maybe for intended use? I've seen countless photos and film clips of soldiers riding just as you describe, but on my one ride (mechanized infantry, so not many opportunities) in a UH-1, the skids seemed to me to be way to tall to ride like that. My trip was in the mid-80s, so I always wondered about the skid height.