H1HU Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Just thought you'd like to know that as I type a fully restored OH6A scout helicopter is being acceptance flown in the States. It will have its rotor blades removed at the end of the week and packed into a container for shipment to the UK. The Little Bird will join 509 on the show/air show circuit next year adding an extra dimension to the Vietnam theme. Like 509 the OH has Vietnam history and is marked up as she would have been in 1970. Shot down by small arms fire whilst travel at 80knots at an altitude of 10 feet! Riddled with holes which were patched up. Eventually she was returned to Hughes for complete overhaul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Go in for pas de deux then? :-D Isn't that the Kiowa? Aren't they now the little bird gunships? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H1HU Posted November 25, 2008 Author Share Posted November 25, 2008 OH6A is the Cayuse. The Kiowa is OH58 which was developed for the military as a light observation helicopter but the military turned it down in favour of the OH6. Bell then developed it commercially as the Jetranger which later the military returned to and put into service. Funny old thing military procurement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 If in doubt, ask an expert. :tup:: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevpol Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 :shocked:, look forward to seeing the pair together Mark :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Burley Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 Nice to see a little bird over here.All you need now is a Cobra to complete the period collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 And a Hind!! Now that is a piece of kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Elsdon Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 (edited) And a Hind!! Now that is a piece of kit! I was on a job in Angola and landed at Luanda airport, and off to one side of the arrivals building was a number of tooled up Hind gunships........welcome to Angola! actually i seem to remember that the terminal building had a similiar look as the one used in the Charles Bronson film "Raid on Entebbe" all very inviting :-D The OH design still looks very modern today, so it must of been something to see when it first flew, especially compared to some of the stuff in service at the time. Edited November 30, 2008 by Adam Elsdon Underpants on the head and pencils up my nose..wibble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Horse for courses the OH for fast sprint in and out of the woods, the Hind, just removes the woods. :cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H1HU Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 OH6A has been loaded into its container and now on its way to the UK. Due first week in January 09 for reassembly. H1HU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Awaiting photos with drool. :-D If you do anything without a camera nearby we'll set Catwezle on you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 And a Hind!! Now that is a piece of kit! Funnily enough - there is a compete one up at RIchard Moores place. Not airworthy (unless you can lay hold of a set of main rotor blades) but it's a hell of a size!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Oh the Hind is a hell of a beast. A couple came to Biggin Hill a few years ago, as they were carrying pyros and flares couldn't stay at Biggin so they came over to the hill top for the night. Had to organise a queue for all the boffins wanting a first hand poke. The OH has quite a record of service on it's own though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Burley Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Slightly off topic.Some years ago,me and a few mates stayed over at Biggin during the Airshow weekend.On the saturday night,with dusk fast approaching two A10,s from the 81st FW from Bentwaters flew in.It was totally unexpected for us,and we were freely able to walk alongside them as they taxied to the static park.Had a good chat with the pilots,and even managed to bag a seat in one and was talked through the controls.Those were the days.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H1HU Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share Posted December 12, 2008 Here is the Little Bird being containerised. H1HU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 OH6A has been loaded into its container and now on its way to the UK. Due first week in January 09 for reassembly. H1HU I wish it a save journey across the pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Something to look forward to into the New year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H1HU Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 Little Bird arrived Friday morning having cleared customs. Unpacked and put into the hangar for re-assembly, which will take no time at all as it was placed in the container almost complete. Now just need for the paperwork to be cleared to let it fly. Not as simple as it sounds unfortunately. Fingers and toes crossed. H1HU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Nice! Look forward to seeing in the flesh ... erm tin... erm ... alloy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willyslancs Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 i will second that Bodge !......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevpol Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I will third that!!!!!! Mark :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 When! When! John Wayne's Greenberet' was on last night. Any plans to add a Cobra or Puff the Magic Dragon to the fleet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H1HU Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 Well the cat is out of the bag if you have visited the huey.co.uk site. If you haven't then I'll get you up to speed. The OH is back together but now comes the certification by the CAA. The MUTT arrived safely from the States this week. The artwork for the motorhome are now complete and the final piece of the jigsaw slots into place this weekend. Phil and I fly over to LA for the Heliexpo which is held in Annaheim to official be handed the 'keys' for the Cobra. So that is the set complete. Arrival date of the Cobra will be worked out once Phil and company are brought up to speed to fly the machine. So a busy summer ahead sorting everything out. More pictures on the website. H1HU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Now that's getting greedy! :-D Any show plans for them this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevpol Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 (edited) :wow::wow::wow: a full set!!!! A pink team and a aero rifle platoon transport, "fun fun fun in the sun sun sun" Look foward to seeing and hearing all 3 Mark :cool: Edited February 20, 2009 by chevpol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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