Hey guys…
WOW. I’m pretty speechless. Took over 200 photos and will probably go back for more tomorrow. I’ve got full walkarounds of the AH-56, YAH-64, R-4B, R-5D, R-6A, UH-1(TOW), YAH-1, to name a few. If anyone needs any particular detail shots, lemme know now and I’ll get em for you tomorrow!
Here’s a few shots in the meantime!
Enjoy, and if anyone needs photos, lemme know!
Congrats on getting down there Jon! [party]
Sounds like you had a great time! Did they have to ask you to leave at closing time? [swg]
It’s interesting seeing pictures of some of the early helicopters. So different from what we’re used to seeing today.
By the way, what’s the last picture of? Did you get to walk inside?
Been there a few times - the last was when I installed Comanche prototype 2. Unfortunately it got pulled back out to be used in some research. It’s one of the greatest aviation museums in the country. One thing to remember - only about half of their total collection is on display. There are many more interesting things stored in warehouses. Before they built the current building, you could just wander the warehouses. It was a poor display, but there are lots of interesting things in storage.
Here’s a pic of me in the aircraft the day we installed it. You can see the AH-64 prototype in the background. As soon as the guys who have it are done, it’s supposed to go back in this spot.
http://www.mindspring.com/~hollenbaugh/pics/Dan/P5250014.JPG
Thanks Jon
No photo’s needed in paticular, just keep posting
P>S> personal note, do they have any of your books on sale in the gift shop?
If I were a bettin’ man I’d say that is a CH-47A Chinook (Nam’ era maybe?)
Jon,
Great pics. (that Cheyenne pic is especially purtty!). I look forward to more pics from the hallowed ground that is the Army Aviation Museum. [8-]
Cheers,
Jon,
They all look great. Congrats on getting there. Have fun.
How about shooting your walk-arounds to Don at Prime Portal for all to drool over?
Gino,
I’m actually considering putting up my own website for everyone to see. Things are in the works now, but I should have something going pretty soon.
I’m rather upset that the Comanche wasn’t there. I was looking forward to seeing it “in the flesh”. Guess I’ll have to wait until its back from Huntsville.
Please keep us informed. On reflection, Jon, I do collect photo’s of little know or unusual aircraft in Army markings. If you see any take a photo for me. Thanks
Great photos!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
It sure is a shame that the AH-56 never went in to service.
It could have been a great aset to the troops in Nam at that time.
Mark[:)]
Hey Mark, I put that last pic up just for you!
Thanks Jon for thinking of me!![;)]
Mark[:)]
I realized I missed a bunch of the outdoor birds, so I’m headed back this afternoon. They’ve got the winged Chinook and a bunch of other oddballs sitting outside the museum, so that’s where I’ll be starting tomorrow.
Have you seen any Hueys rhey are still flying down there? I think there ase still a good amount down there. Please take pics if you can!
Jon,
I hate to tell you this but I saw it when it was here. I went into the museum to get a -10 for the Longbow, from the gift shop, for my wife and went “Heck, Yeah!” Took a quick look around and noticed it looked like it was one of the nonflyable mock-ups, but that it had some of the improvements not available on any of the current kits, like the small vert stabs at the ends of the horizontal stab. Went back about a week and a half later with the digital camera during one of my daughter’s Army JROTC competitions at Rucker and went “Heck, No!” Did a quick walk through of the museum and it was nowhere in sight, asked the people at the desk and they said the same thing, it’s supposed to be back in the future.
Sorry you fell into the modeling abyss (aka: The Wiregrass),
Keith
Hey,
I am the Navy Liaison Instructor at the Flight Medic School at Rucker. I am stationed in Pensacola and go up several time a year to play in the Huey’s (I mean teach)…There is not much in the gift shop as far as books. Lots of cool art work and t-shirts though. There is an aviation shop outside the main the gate that is helo nuts dream.
It is also worth the trip to P’cola to visit the museum here on the air station. The gift shop has a great collection of books but you have got to remind yourself that your gonna pay gift shop prices.
If any body needs research photos from the Navy side just ask. I’ll be happy to snap some and e-mail them to you.
Wish I could play with a HUEY again
I wish I could just play with one once.
Hey guys,
Got my “up slip” today. Phase I is just about complete. 17 days of leave and then I’m in the cockpit!
Keith - The Comanche that was, and will again be, in the Ft. Rucker museum wasn’t a mock-up. It was prototype 2. It was taken off flight status and put in storage condition when it was transferred. As it sits, it only lacks a few pieces to be flyable. Tail number is 95-0001, though the number painted on it was 94-0327. We put the production version tail, which was flown on 327, onto the display aircraft, 001, because I wanted the museum aircraft to be as close to the production aircraft configuration as possible.
Dan H.
