Roost Air Lounge => Aviation related topics => Topic started by: Mike on March 28, 2009, 11:55:22 PM
Title: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on March 28, 2009, 11:55:22 PM
Here is my new ride. Doesn't have a name yet though. Nobu and I have been practicing the last 2 weeks and worked out all the little bugs that were still left over...
It's a 1965 UH-1H, completely overhauled and re-done. -703 engine (1800SHP), fast-fin, and an almost modern cockpit. Flies really great!
All we need now is another fire season..... ::thinking::
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: TheSoccerMom on March 28, 2009, 11:58:23 PM
OHH NOOOOOOOOO, YOU WENT AND DID IT!!!!
Now we can say, without fibbing, "Yeah... Mike's at work... in the 7-11!!" ::eek::
Wow, she's a real Red Rocket........ sweet!!!!!!!!!! ::bow::
::bow::
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Baradium on March 29, 2009, 12:01:36 AM
looks like a clifford to me :D
Beautiful bird... I love hearing those things flying overheard. Air Logistics and Evergreen fly them up north (well that or the civilian variant).
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Oddball on March 29, 2009, 12:02:11 AM
did Colonel Kilgore come with it?
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Firegirl on March 29, 2009, 05:06:50 AM
Mike seen inside the 7-11! ::eek::
HA HA ::rofl::
Woot Woot! ;D
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Oddball on March 29, 2009, 09:41:47 AM
Any one else hear Ride of the Valkyries? ::whistle::
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Ragwing on March 29, 2009, 02:18:33 PM
Mike, REALLY NICE BIRD ::bow:: ::wave:: Love the cherry red.
Your cockpit instrumentation is scary!! ::eek:: I was expecting a lot more changes. It would not take much to transition. The artificial horizon location would throw me for a while.
Comparison of "H" models. Standard Issue and Mike's (http://www.dodson.com/images/huey_instrument_panel.jpg) (http://www.chickenwingscomics.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1785.0;attach=2954;image)
(http://tri.army.mil/LC/cs/csa/uh-1hi.jpg)
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Chopper Doc on March 29, 2009, 03:26:55 PM
Nice pics, Ragwing. The "H" even still had the armoured seats and the steam-powered radios.
And Mike, welcome to the big leagues. Now if you'd just get the tail rotor moved to the other side and the 212 rotor system installed (10,200 internal and 10,500 external) you'd be flying ships like some of the ones I work: we operate two 205A1's, one "+" with the 212 rotor/-13 engine, and a "++" with the 212 rotor/-17 donkey.
http://www.eaglecopters.com/PDFs/Eagle.GateFold.Comp.v3.9.pdf (http://www.eaglecopters.com/PDFs/Eagle.GateFold.Comp.v3.9.pdf) will download a brochure for the Eagle Singe, a 212 with the TwinPac removed and a T53-17 (civvie version of the -701 you're running) installed. Gross weight is 11,200 and the basic empty is around 6,000. We operate two of the Singles and a third is expected this spring. We load one 90gal aux tank and fly them for forestry bucket ships; the 350 gal (Imperial) Bambi on a 165' longline is about 3700#. That still leaves two hours endurance plus reserves even if you start with a full bucket. If need be, we have the dump pumps installed in the buckets so the turn can be started with fuel for three hours endurance and the excess load pumped off while picking the bucket until the fuel burns off. Very handy firefighting machine when you can drop 3500# of water every cycle, right on the spot, without the downdraft stirring things up or knocking down trees.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on March 29, 2009, 04:51:44 PM
Yeah, you're right Ragwing. We didn't change much on the panel. We build a new panel and our six-packs (or the equivalent, they're not complete) are now powered by DC, except for the AI on the right side. We even have some of the NVG equipment left in it. This used to be a National Guard trainer as far as I understand and didn't make it to Vietnam which is probably a good thing.
Chopper Doc, I have heard about the Single Eagle and seen one at the last HAI Expo and it looks like a SWEET set-up! I hear the TR gearbox conversion is kind of a big mod though. The problem we found is the price. The Eagle is almost three times the price than a 1H. This being the first medium for the company we are looking to build some budget first before moving on a new medium. I hope it works out because moving from all lights to a medium is a big step. Right now we're running a 324 bucket on a 150 line and since this is a very light ship after all the military crap was stripped out, we are looking at 4000lbs of payload. We have a 90gal AUX tank on the left side but it looks like we will have to leave it empty for bucket work. And down here I think the FS would pay almost the same price an hour and per day no matter if you have a 324 or a 350, so it's hard to justify the extra cost... ;) BUT I would really like to have a standard category ship because it would allow us to do lift work within the city limits of LA which would be a big plus for the winter months.
I have another question for, will send you a PM.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: G-man on March 29, 2009, 05:40:21 PM
It turned out nice huh.. So how is Jane feeling now that you just DUMPED her for something better??
Doc, I am glad you noticed all the work that went into Mike's machine. The Blue one in the background of the pics is mine. (Although I have yet to fly it---go figure, Mike and Nobu do all THEIR training in OUR aircraft, while I sit and watch--although to be honest I did not really want to do it). Below is a picture of the inside.. I will let you all determine WHO whines to the boss all the time. "I can't fly that its dirty", or "I dont like those old guages and buttons"..yada yada yada... Let the rivalry continue ::whistle:: ::whistle::
This used to be a National Guard trainer as far as I understand and didn't make it to Vietnam which is probably a good thing.
That sounds really good.
The birds that went over were worked hard and put away wet. When you flew low to avoid Victor Charlie, you often flew through bamboo. Your rotor was like a lawnmower, mowing the bamboo above you.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on March 29, 2009, 07:08:42 PM
It turned out nice huh.. So how is Jane feeling now that you just DUMPED her for something better??
Doc, I am glad you noticed all the work that went into Mike's machine. The Blue one in the background of the pics is mine. (Although I have yet to fly it---go figure, Mike and Nobu do all THEIR training in OUR aircraft, while I sit and watch--although to be honest I did not really want to do it). Below is a picture of the inside.. I will let you all determine WHO whines to the boss all the time. "I can't fly that its dirty", or "I dont like those old guages and buttons"..yada yada yada... Let the rivalry continue ::whistle:: ::whistle::
I think the difference is one belongs exclusevly to the boss and the other one is a partnership. You know that his new dog is called "Huey" right?!
The other day I got scolded for filing something on a cowling (on the inside!!! and only to keep a pressure line from rubbing against it) without asking him first! ;)
So, it's not all us, buddy ::complaining: (a little self defense there....)
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on March 29, 2009, 07:10:06 PM
This used to be a National Guard trainer as far as I understand and didn't make it to Vietnam which is probably a good thing.
That sounds really good.
The birds that went over were worked hard and put away wet. When you flew low to avoid Victor Charlie, you often flew through bamboo. Your rotor was like a lawnmower, mowing the bamboo above you.
but trainers also get rided purdy ruff, don't they? ;D
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: G-man on March 29, 2009, 07:14:29 PM
So, it's not all us, buddy ::complaining: (a little self defense there....)
Ahhh excuses excuses... I know how it is--out of sight -- out of mind.. We are just the bastard child up in RDD.. ::sulk:: ::sulk:: JK
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Chopper Doc on March 29, 2009, 09:16:07 PM
We operated two 204's that used to belong to Air America. These are pics of one of those ships at work.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Chopper Doc on March 29, 2009, 09:24:47 PM
By the way, Mike, the Eagle Single you saw at HAI was our new one. In the development pipeline for the Single is a lighter tailboom to reduce the ballast, bringing the EW in under 6000#, and the reinforcement of the lift beam (using 412 parts) to increase the external gross to at least 11,900#. Also, the input quill from the 214 and an improved Kaflex input driveshaft will allow a higher power input, basically creating an "HP" version of the Single.
We'd be talking about a medium that can lift it's own weight in useful load, even under high/hot conditions. Stuff that in your three-bladed plastic POS and smoke it.
And G-Man, I like the panel in your aircraft: the old dials, switches, and buttons are just what you want to find in a medium. It makes them familiar, or friendly.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on March 29, 2009, 09:54:41 PM
By the way, Mike, the Eagle Single you saw at HAI was our new one. In the development pipeline for the Single is a lighter tailboom to reduce the ballast, bringing the EW in under 6000#, and the reinforcement of the lift beam (using 412 parts) to increase the external gross to at least 11,900#. Also, the input quill from the 214 and an improved Kaflex input driveshaft will allow a higher power input, basically creating an "HP" version of the Single.
Really? That was yours? What a small world! Awesome! Did I see you there by any chance as well? Who knows, right?!
We'd be talking about a medium that can lift it's own weight in useful load, even under high/hot conditions. Stuff that in your three-bladed plastic POS and smoke it.
Harsh words....hehe. The plastic POS has treated me pretty well over the years.... ;) But I guess I could load it up all the way to max gross . . . and the Single-Eagle can still come in and lift the whole thing on the LL and fly away with it.... ::unbelieveable::
And G-Man, I like the panel in your aircraft: the old dials, switches, and buttons are just what you want to find in a medium. It makes them familiar, or friendly.
Yeah G-Man! He's right I guess ;D although he might be dating himself there a little....
LOVE the Air America pics by the way! Do you have more?? |:)\ ::rofl::
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Chopper Doc on March 29, 2009, 10:34:56 PM
Workhorses:
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on March 29, 2009, 11:18:39 PM
N I C E !!!!
I bet you got some good stories about working down there with this "airline"..... ::angel::
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Frank N. O. on March 30, 2009, 10:43:53 AM
What about Panaca Jane? How is this old thing better than an Ecureuil and LongRanger?
Frank
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Oddball on March 30, 2009, 11:17:29 AM
They have been going strong since the early 1960's frank and have out lasted a lot of other types of helicopter. BTW Doc sweet pics even though im a fixed wing bloke, love the Bell UH-1
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on March 30, 2009, 05:13:32 PM
What about Panaca Jane? How is this old thing better than an Ecureuil and LongRanger?
Frank
According to Chopper Doc, it is! ;) ;D
Quote
We'd be talking about a medium that can lift it's own weight in useful load, even under high/hot conditions. Stuff that in your three-bladed plastic POS and smoke it.
Don't get me wrong Frank. I still love flying Jane, she is a lot smoother and a lot less maintenance (who doesn't like a low maintenance girl, right?!) But I take a Huey over a Long Ranger any time!!!
And when you think about it, Jane will never be able to pick up a 324 bucket and throw it on a fire at 6000ft..... No matter how hard she tries....
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: G-man on March 30, 2009, 05:28:25 PM
And when you think about it, Jane will never be able to pick up a 324 bucket and throw it on a fire at 6000ft..... No matter how hard she tries....
Well you could...no-one says you have to have water in it.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Chopper Doc on March 31, 2009, 02:49:35 AM
Those old 204's worked hard in the Arctic, which is where I worked on them, in the years after they were repatriated to North America. I may have grey hair but I'm not old enough to have served in Vietnam; those pics came from a buddy who has researched the provenance of the two old girls.
For those who don't know, Air America was an airline owned by the CIA during the Vietnam era. It allowed for the covert movement of CIA personnel around Southeast Asia as well as for the support of other clandestine ops. Apparently, the two 204's pictured here were built by Fuji under license from Bell (they were building UH-1's for the Japanese military) and given civilian data plates within the American domestic numbering sequence, under the assumption that the ships would be lost during the conflict. When they survived and were sold to a North American operator, Bell helicopter had to revise their maintenance manuals to include those two serial numbers.
Storied ships, those two. When we sold them one went down to Chili and was lost in the jungle due to fuel exhaustion. The second ship was sent by the new owner down to replace the lost one and is still flying around the jungle today, where it appeared on one of those TV shows featuring "spectacular real-life footage" taken while bucketing on a fire in an urban area.
Oh, the stories they could tell, if only they could talk.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on April 10, 2009, 05:06:35 AM
flies nice!
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Oddball on April 10, 2009, 07:01:22 AM
Looks nice too
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: G-man on April 15, 2009, 05:11:28 PM
From another forum---Hueys were not known for their speed, however, when they had to, they sure could "Haul Ass" ::whistle:: ::whistle::
HA HA !!! ::rofl:: NICE! As a Huey fan this mental image is the first one that comes to mind when somebody says "hauls ass" and "Huey" in the same sentence.... ;) ;D
Hey, that aircraft looks like one of the Air America ships Chopper Doc posted! ::thinking::
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: undatc on May 02, 2009, 05:41:41 AM
She is prudy. Maybe I missed it somewhere, why the new ride?
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Skid Kid on May 13, 2009, 01:13:58 AM
Sweet ride Mike! Very Pretty! Since you're showin yours, I'll show mine. Well, not exactly mine since they wont let us take cameras in the hanger, but one of it's sisters.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Frank N. O. on May 14, 2009, 06:46:26 AM
Wow, that looks great! And it's also the first time I've seen a bucket-seat in a helicopter.
Frank
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Mike on May 16, 2009, 03:53:36 PM
What IS THAT, chopper doc? ::unbelieveable::
Looks like some new generation 412.....
I think I want one!
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Skid Kid on May 25, 2009, 05:05:17 AM
This guy or Chopper Doc?
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Frank N. O. on May 25, 2009, 11:03:02 AM
but does it come with MP3, Blue tooth, Air Conditioning, DVD player, surround sound systems all ready fitted?
You only get that stuff in S-mom's minivan. Gotta keep the kids happy!
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Chopper Doc on May 26, 2009, 11:30:39 PM
Installing an IPod port is one of the standard mods I do to every machine I work on. Not only does it keep the kids happy, but I fly the left seat many days too.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Skid Kid on May 27, 2009, 03:03:15 AM
Installing an IPod port is one of the standard mods I do to every machine I work on. Not only does it keep the kids happy, but I fly the left seat many days too.
We already got that one figured out. Just take any off the shelf headphone set, clip the wires after they split, crimp on pins, and install pins into the plug on the intercommunications system box in the spots for an un-used audio channel and ta-da! Now the whole crew can rock out to Ride of the Valkyries over downtown Baghdad!
Anywho, I hope they release a commercial version of the UH-1Y "Venom" once they get all the bugs worked out. It might not be a maintenance friendly machine at the moment but it sure is a workhorse!
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Chopper Doc on May 27, 2009, 01:22:54 PM
Yup, same mod. I have access to some 2.5mm jacks so I normally wire the audio panel input to the jack and then mount the jack someplace where a fidgeting crewman won't get tangled in the IPod cable or boot the plug off.
Little things can make the ride so much nicer.
Glad to hear that the "Y" is working out. What kinds of issues are you experiencing with it that can be discussed without OPSEC heat? Just having fun figuring out the normal systems integration issues?
I'd love to see Bell make a civvie version of the "W" as a heavy-lift bird. Keep the pylons for external stores and ferry tanks and strip the excess weight from the rest of the machine and you'd have a great hook machine. And unlike the K-Max, the engineer doesn't have to ride in a lawn chair strapped to the outside when a maintenance flight is required.
Title: Re: Check out Mikes new ride!
Post by: Skid Kid on May 28, 2009, 05:49:46 AM
Just figuring out what the normal wear and tear is gonna end up being. The latest major problem we've had is that 2 of our bird's Main Rotor Gearboxes (why can't we call em transmission anymore!) threw some big frickin chips out in flight. Both birds made it back to the ground OK ( the incidents happened within 2 weeks of each other) with no other damage to the aircraft and only slightly shaken crew members. The investigations afterwards determined some of the internal gearing was substandard (don't remember the exact details on why) and they managed to narrow it down to a specific lot and then recalled them. Other than that the training squadron next door had a slightly funny one where the electrically powered minigun jammed and dropped both generators offline. ::loony::
