If you have never heard a Huey (Page 2): I never went to Nam but I am well acquainted with the Huey. I remember when they were just coming into use at Fort Bragg and I have ridden on...

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I never went to Nam but I am well acquainted with the Huey. I remember when they were just coming into use at Fort Bragg and I have ridden on them. When a Huey is coming toward you that rotor banging is like no other sound. Sitting in the door with your feet on the runner is a sensation one does not forget.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Bigmike1 wrote:

I never went to Nam but I am well acquainted with the Huey. I remember when they were just coming into use at Fort Bragg and I have ridden on them. When a Huey is coming toward you that rotor banging is like no other sound. Sitting in the door with your feet on the runner is a sensation one does not forget.

We sat in the door with our feet on the skid in order to get the hell out as soon as we were low enough to jump. The Huey was a hell of a big target. I was the platoon leader's RTO which got me a seat on the front row. At the time we were still using the very clumsy "prick ten" (AN/PRC-10) units and I seemed to have a permanent bruise on my lower back from the bottom of the thing bouncing around and banging into me.

It seems that the favorite target of the VC and NVA gunners, next to the sight of a Huey flaring out in an approach, was the bobbing of a radio antenna through the bush so I kept mine tucked into a strap on my suspenders. Didn't seem to affect the ability to remain in contact with the company CO. Those were the days. Not the 'good ol' days, just the days.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Alafoto wrote:

We sat in the door with our feet on the skid in or... (show quote)

That is old, discontinued in 1965 replaced by the AN/PRC 25 then that was replaced in 1968 by the AN/PRC 77 which is what we had.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Here's another sound thrill....

Working at the Watkins Glen racetrack during a Formula One event about 40 years ago, I happened to be standing about 10-15 feet from the back end of a Cosworth V8-powered car in the paddock area when a crew member fired it up. The sound and shock wave nearly knocked me over.

That's an experience I will always remember...and feel :-)

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I flew Huey’s in Vietnam, ‘68–‘69, with the 199th Lt. Inf. Bde. Got a lot of hours and did pretty much of everything a Huey was able to do. Loved that bird. It’s sound is unique and unforgettable. I do understand.

regularguy55

Yes, brings back memories from a long time ago that at times seems like only yesterday. Contrasts of a beautiful country with the ravages of war. Thanks.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

regularguy55 wrote:

Yes, brings back memories from a long time ago that at times seems like only yesterday. Contrasts of a beautiful country with the ravages of war. Thanks.

It was indeed, a contrast, for sure.

tommyII Loc: Northern Illinois

Very true. They have a sound like no other.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Silverman wrote:

My older brother flew on those "Birds" as a Medic, he told me he always had a "Body-Guard" assigned to him, so he could concentrate on his job of helping the wounded soldiers. He was in Vietnam 68-69. Home safe, married, 3 children and 6 Grandkids, now 72 years old.

I had a friend who pulled that duty for a while. He was a Chaplain's Assistant and his Chaplain rotated home, the replacement was not due for almost a month so he got TDY as an extra gunner on Dust Offs for three weeks. He not only stood guard over the medics and wounded at the LZ but if there weren't enough choppers to haul everyone out at once he and his M-60 got to stay behind to hold the LZ until more birds came to get them. When the new Chaplain arrived he was very relieved to end that TDY adventure. He said he just wasn't cut out to be a gunfighter.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

robertjerl wrote:

I had a friend who pulled that duty for a while. ... (show quote)

There were a lot of heroes back then who did things, often on their own without being assigned to do them, that no one heard about or which any of them got any recognition for having done those things. Guys just did what needed to be done, usually at great risk to themselves.

PH CIB

Rode in many a Slick and Sh*thooks, never rode in a jolly green giant or a loach.....

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Hueys used to be a regular sight flying near our home in Dallas back in the 70's and 80's. Their unique duel rotor sound couldn't be missed thumping the ground. It was great. I'm not sure if they flew out of the NAS in Fort Worth, but that has now been de-commisioned as well, so there aren't ANY military copters flying overhead anymore. Too bad.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Wingpilot wrote:

There were a lot of heroes back then who did things, often on their own without being assigned to do them, that no one heard about or which any of them got any recognition for having done those things. Guys just did what needed to be done, usually at great risk to themselves.

He did have one good story to tell from that TDY. They were going into a clearing to meet and pickup a squad bringing some wounded down a trail. The bushes on the opposite side from where they expected the squad started shaking and he and the door gunner both hosed the bushes down and out fell a dead tiger. They sent another Huey to pick up the tiger and the hide ended up hanging on a wall at the unit's airfield.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

robertjerl wrote:

He did have one good story to tell from that TDY. They were going into a clearing to meet and pickup a squad bringing some wounded down a trail. The bushes on the opposite side from where they expected the squad started shaking and he and the door gunner both hosed the bushes down and out feel a dead tiger. They sent another Huey to pick up the tiger and the hide ended up hanging on a wall at the unit's airfield.

Too funny. Things like that happened, though. That tiger could have been more dangerous than a VC or NVA. Nice trophy, though. I wonder who ended up with it when it was all over.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

robertjerl wrote:

He did have one good story to tell from that TDY. They were going into a clearing to meet and pickup a squad bringing some wounded down a trail. The bushes on the opposite side from where they expected the squad started shaking and he and the door gunner both hosed the bushes down and out feel a dead tiger. They sent another Huey to pick up the tiger and the hide ended up hanging on a wall at the unit's airfield.

We had a Marine in our area that was mauled by a Tiger. They promptly sent out a squad to get the Tiger. Instead, the Tiger got a couple more of them, and the operation was called off. Disclaimer: I did not know any of the injured Marines personally, and I got the story second-hand, so cannot swear it was true. Still...