Taking time out of a busy schedule and the demands of keeping the Spitfire simulator fully prepped, Andrew had a great session in the left hand seat of Lancashire based, Vietnam era US Army UH-6 Cayuse (Loach).
The Cayuse Andrew flew in ( OH-6A 69-16011) was manufactured in 1969 and was number 470 off the production line of the Hughes Tool Company. The aircraft was then shipped direct to Vietnam where it served in the 20th Transport Company.
The OH-6 being readied
on the flight line.
Andrew in the left hand seat flying the OH-6 above the Lakes District.
All those hours on the simulator paying off.
Records show that at 250 hours from new, and on the 17th August 1970, whilst on a recon mission, came under fire at 100 feet in South Vietnam. It took 11 direct hits from small arms and automatic weapons.
The majority of these hits were on the underside of the aircraft causing damage to the fuel system and some aircraft components. Luckily the armour plating proved effective protecting the flight crew and out of the three crew on board, only one was wounded in action. The helicopter to this day carries the scares of its war time heritage.
The majority of these hits were on the underside of the aircraft causing damage to the fuel system and some aircraft components. Luckily the armour plating proved effective protecting the flight crew and out of the three crew on board, only one was wounded in action. The helicopter to this day carries the scares of its war time heritage.
Neil Airey the OH-6 pilot, looking the part
A veteran of the Vietnam war, a UH-1D Bell Huey, still in use, still flying. Flown by some great guys one of whom flew these in the Far East when he served in the Army.
A veteran of the Vietnam war, a UH-1D Bell Huey, still in use, still flying. Flown by some great guys one of whom flew these in the Far East when he served in the Army.
For more information on this and the Lancashire based Vietnam era Bell Huey, go to their website.
A veteran of the Vietnam war, a UH-1D Bell Huey, still in use, still flying. Flown by some great guys one of whom flew these in the Far East when he served in the Army.
Andrew said of his flight,
A real buzz as this helicopter is in a class of its own. The controls were really sensitive and it’s more like a sports car in the sky. Flying through the Lake District in a real aircraft has just been an awesome experience. My heartfelt thanks to Neil Airey, a really great personal friend who was the pilot on the day and CEO, Phil Connelly, who owns all the ships who kindly invited me up All those hours on the simulator paying off.
A real buzz as this helicopter is in a class of its own. The controls were really sensitive and it’s more like a sports car in the sky. Flying through the Lake District in a real aircraft has just been an awesome experience. My heartfelt thanks to Neil Airey, a really great personal friend who was the pilot on the day and CEO, Phil Connelly, who owns all the ships who kindly invited me up All those hours on the simulator paying off.