The Restoration
The remains of training aid UH1-B donated to Lively Aviation School by Fl. Forestry Service.
It spent it's service live training pilots for Vietnam from 1960 through it's last flight in '72.
After this type of equipment is passed to training status, the Army writes it off their inventory.
After 4 years of cannibalization & sitting on the line, this one was destined for the scrap yard.
Inside the cabin, before restoration began.
It's last "hovering" maneuver
After a safe landing, the work begins.
Installing the mast & main rotor assy. After 30+ years, the parts still came together.
But I wouldn't want to be around during a "maintenance turn".
Quality Assurance would have never let this pass!
During the planning stage. Note the skids off the deck.
It took some "Country Boy" ingenuity to design a way to raise, load, & unload it on our soon to be built tow trailer. The Army guys couldn't figure out how we load/unload it in 20 minutes
Building the trailer to fit the job.
Reviving some of the systems. A burner from a junked steam cleaner makes a good visual effect when power is applied & "engine start" switch engaged on the collective.
The work in progress after 6 months, "Have Mission, Will Travel"
The acceptance of a UH1-H from Ft. Rucker, on loan from the Army, before it's restoration began.
They couldn't believe my rig would haul a Huey.
Before I left, they were taking measurements of the trailer.
Tows like a dream at 60+ mph., completely street legal.