This is mainly directed at Frank, but I’ll take input from anyone. Which ship is this? Is it stateside? How common was the XM-18 configuration? Inquiring minds (Jon and I) want to know. Thanks in advance,
Ray
Hi Ray, and Jon… [:)]
That is #64-13145 during it’s evaluation flights right after she rolled off the assembly line. The XM-18 configuration was used on #145 and #149 for publicity photos, but once the team got to evaluate it properly at Ft Benning, they determined the 19rnd FFAR pod was more effective (and a lot less weight) for their mission, and it was never used again.
They were looking for a penetrating “Stand-Off” type weapons system, and the 7.62 ballistic just didn’t fit that need.
Hope this helps,
Take care,
Frank [:)]
Frank,
I knew we could count on you, sir! Thanks for the intel. Do you have the original of this photo? This one is from the Chinnery Vietnam helo book.
Thanks,
Ray
Awesome, thanks Frank!
Guess I won’t be building my GoGo bird with the XM-18 after all!
Jon
Just thinking out loud here, but swapping out that 7.62mm XM-18 for a XM-35 20mm gatling gun would look really wicked. And you’d definitely have a stand-off penetrator [}:)]
Andy
I remember when we started training in hovering fire with the XM-35 20 mm in the old G’s. When you pulled the trigger the aircraft would start settling if you had more than half a bag of gas. It was really noticeable on hot and humid days. The hovering fire was a real waste of training in my opinion, other than to show what it was like firing with marginal flight control. You had to watch too much inside and outside the cockpit at the same time you were trying to hit something down range. I liked it much more in running and diving fire. But there is nothing in helicopters firepower equal to the almighty rumble of the Apache 30mm. You just never get enough trigger time with it.[sigh]
Charlie
Charlie,
How about twin 30mm cannons ona UH-1C! Check out the XM-140:
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Here’s the system with the fairing removed:
And yes they DID fire it:
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My personal favorite Huey configuration!
Ray
Ray,
Wow, I bet that was one HEAVY Huey after the ammo was loaded on!! Great pictures, thanks!! [:)]
Ray, Jon and all…
Here’s another picture of #145 during her evaluation flights, carrying the minigun pod… 
In addition (in the event you’d like to see the real #145 in flight), here’s a short .MOV file of #145 during rocket pod (2.75in FFAR) ejection testing at Edwards AFB, 1966… http://gunsagogo.org/rocketpodtest.MOV
I don’t have the original of the pic you posted… (but Steve Maxham does) [;)]
Also, here are some originals (much better detail) of three photos on the website that show a very rare shot #145 in theatre when she carried the proposed name of “Crazy 8”. http://gunsagogo.org/crazyeight.jpg
http://gunsagogo.org/crazyeight2.jpg
http://gunsagogo.org/crazyeight3.jpg
(This was eventually changed to “Co$t of Living”, but at the time of her crash she carried no name on her side.) The FE & CE who were involved in her naming were KIA on 5 May 67, so the real “what it was officially called” story will never be known. Around 10 hours after this photo was made, #145 and her Crew were gone.
Take care,
Frank
Andy… A “what-if”… maybe? [;)] … 
Beautiful images. I bet it vibrated every rivet loose in that platform. [:D]
Charlie
Frank,
Thank you very much for great pics and for all the info. Very interesting indeed!
Really apritiate what you are doing!
Andy