The Army purchased this helicopter May 1970. The aircraft was sent to Vietnam and served time with A/101 AHB, 101st Airborne Division "The Comancheros" during 1971. UH-1H 69-15354 remained in Vietnam until February, 1972 and flew a total of 1417 combat hours until the aircraft was returned to the United States. The aircraft is now owned and operated by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, the AAHF has repainted #354 with the markings and nose art that the aircraft wore while in service with the Comancheros in 1971.
The AAHF has completely restored the aircraft and proudly uses Comanchero #354 in their Sky Soldiers Demonstration Team air show and also for the Huey Ride program. The AAHF Sky Soldiers Vietnam air show combines seven of the AAHF veteran Army helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with actual infantry assault teams to deliver a realistic and powerful portrayal of the use of Army Aviation and Air Assault infantry forces in a typical Air Cav troop action in Vietnam. The program includes multiple aircraft gun and rocket runs, artillery support, a low-level supply air drop, and an infantry air assault with a realistic ground "fire fight", complete with opposing forces and the liberal use of blank ammunition by both sides. Realistic pyrotechnic effects support the action throughout this program to convey realistic weapons effects to the crowd. Every effort is made to ensure that the audience receives a realistic representation of the Army and Army Aviation in action in Vietnam.
http://www.trailofhonor.org/video.html
Shows videos of 354 at our appearance at The Trail of Honor in front of the Harley dealer in Jackson, MS.
2008 Photos of UH-1H #69-15354
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 Photos from the filming on a documentary movie staring UH-1H#69-15354
Here are pix of 354 and the movie shoot. The deal is: Windfall
Films says they have a contract with the Discovery Channel and the Smithsonian
Channel to produce a show tentatively titled " Helicopter Missions." This
mission shows the rescue of a CIDG force. Curt Knapp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
UH-1H #69-15354 on display in photos below. Also photos of several Comanchero Veterans revisiting with AC #354 at Fort Campbell, KY in May 2007. This was the first time her old crew from Vietnam had seen the aircraft since 1971. Robert Morris, Aircraft Commander, Richard Bittle, Crew Chief and John Stallings, Door Gunner, were AC# 354's crew during 1971 at Camp Eagle, RVN.
Click on photo thumbnail to see larger photo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
The current show schedule for this aircraft and the other AAHF aircraft
YouTube - Huey Helicopter UH-1H 69-15354 ride
More UH-1H #69-15354 Photos
Click on photo thumbnail to see larger photo
|
Taken at the Muskegon ( Michigan ) Air fair July 2006 as 354 and one of our other Hueys were reforming after our troop insertion and subsequent medevac. Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
Muskegon again. Lucky to get these shots because we normally reform in trail. Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
Muskegon. Returning to our LZ after show. That's our AAHF G-Model Cobra behind. Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
Last Muskegon shot. This is usually how
I see 354 from the gunner's seat of the trail Huey. It appears that
354 is loaded with troops, so this just prior to the insertion.
Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
|
Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 This photo taken from our AAHF Loach, 795 as we're headed home from a Huey Ride program at Jackson, Miss., in May 2006. You can see that our suitcases, etc, are strapped into the gunner's well. Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 Branson, Mo., June 2006. When 354 is the medevac ship in our show it takes the trail position as seen here. Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 354 sitting on standby at our Huey Ride LZ at Branson, Mo., in June. Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 As the medevac ship, 354 takes a big ol' hairy flare before touching down. During each show one of our Hueys performs a dual role as a troop ship for the insertion, then we land somewhere out of sight, place a red cross in a cargo door window, and become the medevac ship. Yes it's not on the door, and the M-60 is still attached, but hey...! Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 Preflight at Fort Campbell 2007 Week of the Eagles Photo provided by Curt Knapp AAHF |
 354 on the ramp at the Cleveland, Ohio, Airshow Labor Day 2007. Photo by Glen Veno |
354 waiting to give Huey rides at
Cleveland, Ohio Labor Day 2007
photo by Glen Veno |
Old Huey & old crew. AAHF members Glen
Veno, Jerry Mellick, Brent Gourley
Cleveland, Ohio Labor Day 2007
photo from Glen Veno |
Copy.jpg) Here's an interesting one....... That's our Jerry Mellick surrounded by the flight attendants from that United plane in the background. Life's tough on the road. photo from Glen Veno |
|
You can help support UH-1H 69-15354 Comanchero aircraft 354, which was flown by the Comancheros at Camp Eagle, RVN in 1971 is presently maintained and flown by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF). 354 needs our help. This aircraft, along with some others, are currently being maintained at the AAHF hanger in Hampton, Georgia. The foundation can always use help in the repair and maintenance of these Vietnam era aircraft. Another huey has members of their unit in Vietnam get together and work on it on a yearly basis. We would like to organize a group of volunteer Comancheros to once a year go to Hampton (located 100 yd from Atlanta Motor Speedway) to work on not only 354 but other Vietnam era aircraft. Skill level would be great, but participation is more important. There is a bunkhouse at the hanger that can sleep 6 men. If wives or families want to come down hotels are close by. There is an RV set-up next to the hanger. There are a multitude of tasks to be performed to include cleaning and tagging parts, general cleanup, painting and administrative work as well as after hours get together. March 12th thru 16th 2005 Comanchero Veterans James and Diane Pfutzner, Bob Carr, Ed and Kathy Schmelzer, Gary Lee Stamey, Martin DiOrio, Tom Halligan, Stephen "Smokey" Stover, Michael Rusden, and Fred Bradley were in Atlanta to support our aircraft and the AAHF.
Photographs by John D. Kennedy of the 354 work party at AAHF Click on thumbnails to see larger photo
Comancheros; Martin DiOrio, Fred Bradley, Mike Rusden, Bob Carr, Tom Halligan, Smokey Stover, Jim Pfutzner, Ed Schmelzer and Gary Lee Stamey. Photo by Dianne Pfutzner
If you would like to be a part of next years AAHF work party please leave a message for Jim Pfutzner
Click on thumbnails to see larger photo
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Click on thumbnail to see larger photo
Click on thumbnail to see larger photo
Provided by Stephen Cipot
Stephen Cipot and AC#354 at the Dayton, OH Air Show
Provided by Diane Ptutzner
Jim and Diane Pfutzner with family at Camden South Carolina to see the Sky Soldiers. We got there early and visited with the pilots and crew of 354. They were wonderful to us, took us for a great ride.
The following photos were taken during the Viet Nam Veterans Reunion during the week of Jun12 - 18 in Branson MO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARMY AVIATION HERITAGE FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation membership is comprised of individuals of both genders from both Military and Civilian professions. While the majority has aviation experience, others simply wish to participate and commemorate the Veterans and their service that we honor.
While the majority of our members live across the 50 States of America, some live in other countries. All are welcome. While the skills of many members are quite pertinent to the maintenance and operation of our aircraft, others use their expertise in Administrative, Financial, Management and supporting areas. All are needed.
Membership has grown at an increasingly quickening pace as the "word" of our existence and purpose is made known.
While members are needed to actively participate within our hanger operations, distance will prevent such day-to-day participation of many. Members can be active participants even when their home is distant for our home base at Tara Field. Such tasks could include ‘scouting-out’ of parts, services, aircraft and fund raising activities.
Individuals may wish to only lend their moral support by their Annual or Life Time Memberships. Such memberships are very welcome and foster successful continuation of our Mission.
Membership Dues
$ 36 Annual Membership - $400 Lifetime Membership– Individual
$ 48 Annual Professional/Non-Profit Organizations
$120 Annual Manufacturer/Vendor Businesses
$ 25 Heritage Newsletter (Only) per yea
rAAHF Membership Application
Note: Annual membership dues are payable in March of each year. Dues for first year members are prorated when their 2nd year dues are calculated to account for their mid-year membership date.
Help financially support UH-1H 69-15354
The AAHF is a non-profit public educational foundation, dedicated to informing the American people about Army Aviation heritage. As a non-profit entity, the Foundation receives no financial support from the Government and is dependent for it’s operation and growth upon the public and corporate contributions of money, equipment, services and aircraft.
Contributions can be made to the Foundation’s general operation fund or to accounts specific to the restoration/operation of a specific aircraft or other specified activities.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in supporting the objectives of the Foundation, please specify which fund(s) you would like to assist, and make checks payable to the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. Tender them to a Foundation Officer or mail to: ATTN: VP Of Finance, 506 Mt. Pleasant Road, Hampton, GA 30228.
All donations of money and equipment are fully tax-deductible under I.R.S guidelines for a 501(c)(3) foundation.
The Goldbook information (history) on Aircraft UH-1H 69-15354
|
Thank you for
your visit to our web site, you are Visitor #
The
photos and written material on this web site may not be published or used
for any
other
use, other than viewing on this site,
without written permission from the Webmaster and the contributor.
All photos and written material remain the personal property
of this web site and it’s contributors. Web-master: Richard A. Bittle
Comanchero Door-Gunner 12/70 - 10/71 DISCLAIMER: Items used on This Web Page are drawn from sources all over the internet, including FTP sites. Some images have been scanned from books and magazines. If information is known about the originator a credit is placed near that item, otherwise if you are the author or photographer and do not want it shown on this web site, please advise the webmaster and it will be removed. None of these items are being sold. No copyright infringement is intended. |
