UH-1B 63-8733
Overseas Aircraft Support-Lakeside Az
Overseas Aircraft Support-Lakeside Az
Overseas Aircraft Support-Lakeside Az
This ship had not flown since her return from Vietnam in 1970. John Boucher owner of OAS donated the cabin and many parts to LHL for restoration
The search begins
Overseas Aircraft Support-Lakeside Az
Overseas Aircraft Support-Lakeside Az
On the nose the inventory number from Davis-Monthan AFB, known as AMARC or the boneyard positivly identifies the aircraft.
The cabin is loaded
Overseas Aircraft Support-Lakeside Az
The cabin is loaded
The ship is deftly plucked out of the yard and loaded onto LHL's trailer for the trip to Glendale Az Airport where LHL is located
A surprise find
8733 arrives in Glendale
The cabin is loaded
The folks at OAS point out to us the remaining shell casings and ammo belt links that ave been lodged in the belly of the ship since the Vietnam war
8733 arrives in Glendale
8733 arrives in Glendale
8733 arrives in Glendale
Now LHL volunteers have a good look at what is and isnt there. OAS will continue to support the restoration as will American Patriot helicopters Karl Renz III and so many other
Getting her on her feet
8733 arrives in Glendale
8733 arrives in Glendale
In order to move the cabin and make it stable enough to work in the skids are mounted underneath. Scott Hurst in front and Ron Dwight, left work together with Mike Fox (not pictired) of Fox Aviation to get her on Glendale airports ramp.
Into the hanger
A step back in time
Into the hanger
8733 moves inside for the first time in decades. As you can see there is a lot of work to do.
Confirmation
A step back in time
Into the hanger
Once inside and cleaned up we found confirmation again as to her identity. This is the post between the pilot and cargo door.
A step back in time
A step back in time
A new roof and other parts arrive
The legend of the Huey began with it's military designation. Originally designated the HU-1B (Helicopter, Utility) the moniker soon stuck. HU became Huey for short. Later the services changed it to UH. Look closely at the top line......it reads HU-1B
A new roof and other parts arrive
A new roof and other parts arrive
A new roof and other parts arrive
OAS sent down a new roof to repair the damaged original. To preserve as much of the orginal aircraft as possible Ron Dwight used just what was needed to make the repai
The tailboom
A new roof and other parts arrive
Parts aint pretty
With the original tailboom long separated from the ship, another slightly used boom was donated by Allstate Helicopters out of Mansfield Texas. The shiny sheet metal replaced the corroded magnesium skin. We had been working on the boom months before the cabin arrived.
Parts aint pretty
A new roof and other parts arrive
Parts aint pretty
OAS sent a wrecked ship used in logging down for all those little parts that are so important. No one was killed or seriously injured. This a like gold for our project, but it has seen better days.