How Much To BUY a Huey Helicopter In THAILAND 2022 ? (Bell UH-1 Helicopter)

Thailand 2022 and I stumble across a huey helicopter off highway 1 in Nakhon Sawan province Thailand. Being an avid history fan I stop to take a look, find out the price and give a brief background into Thailand’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict. Links below.
Cheun owner - tel. [phone] (Thai language)
Google map link - goo.gl/maps/AV...
Huey for sale post/advert (maybe sold) - silodrome.com/...
#thailand2022 #huey helicopter

[@jamesabroad8589]

Hi guys, it's rotor blades, not propellers and got my copilot/pilot chairs mixed up, oh well. Would be great to hear any stories/experiences regarding this aircraft. All the best.👍🍺

[@i.r.wayright1457]

Pilot flew from the right seat as you first said, copilot on left. The pilot kept his hand on the cyclic stick between his knees, so the he could change radio frequencies, or operate other controls, with his left hand, while the collective control could be held in place where he set it for flight with a friction adjustment. Back in the 1960s and engine was about $50,000 and the whole helicopter was under $200,000. Multiply those figures by probably 10 for a price today.

[@jamesabroad8589]

I thought I was correct from looking at old footage on YT. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge, appreciate it.👍🍻

[@rj8288]

Rotary wing pilots did a right hand landing pattern as opposed to fixed wing doing a left hand pattern. The pilot sat on the side that gave him the best visual of the landing when turning from base to final approach.

[@KutWrite]

@@rj8288: Right-hand pilot also gives a better view if one loses control of the tail rotor. The helo would turn to right until recovering or starting an autorotation, so you can better see where the aircraft is turning..

[@KutWrite]

RIght-o. Also the "joystick" (aircraft attitude) is properly called the cyclic. The lever to the left (power/rotor pitch) is called the collective. Pedals control pitch of the tailrotor for yaw (nose left-right) control. You'd just refer to them that way, as in "give it more left pedal."

[@Jeff_E]

As I'm writing this, I'm standing in a spot at the Bell Helicopter plant in Hurst (Fort Worth), Texas, where every Vietnam-era Huey came off the production line. Cool video. Thanks for sharing!

[@KutWrite]

Oh, so the Bell plant is in the H-E-B area west of Dallas?

[@tigertanktoo]

I crewed Hueys for 11 years in the US Army in Germany, the US and during Operation Just Cause in Panama and Desert Storm in the middle east. Working on UH60 Blackhawks now for the Army as a contractor. Helicopters are still paying my rent. 😎

[@dave-yj9mc]

Hey tiger, I was a Huey CE too for 14 years. Are there any contractor jobs in Thailand?

[@MoreFormosa]

That's awesome, I bet you have some great stories too. Thank you for your service.

[@Jeff_E]

@@dave-yj9mc Thailand is phasing out there remaining Hueys. We had a group of RTA generals in recently, shopping for some more Bell 429’s and possibly some 412’s (4 blade / Twin engine version of the Hueys). What part of Thailand are you in? I’m retiring hopefully in October, and will be living up in the north by Lampang.

[@outdoorlifemaine6691]

Another brainwashed American military personnel who thinks he's a hero will really it's a family killer

[@BPD1586]

Wanted to crew Blackhawks or Chinooks when I enlisted, thought it'd be a good stepping stone for WOFT. Unfortunately, failed color vision at MEPS; ended up going Air Force JAG.

[@bobhebblewhite1685]

spent many happy hours in these at 5sqn , happy days. did not know back then how i would miss them now.

[@leestephenfitzpatrick6373]

As iconic as the Willy's Jeep, nice find 👌

[@frisk151]

The helicopter on top of the bus is an Entrom... It was the first helicopter I personally flew and trained in...

[@dennisrhein3425]

No engine, that’s a big chunk of the value. Co pilot does sit on the left. It’s a cyclic not a stick. The other control is the collective. These aircraft were mostly retired due to low remaining component times.

[@georgejackson4105]

No way is a bird in that state worth that kind of money. It's basically a shell of it's former self. Much of the electronics and avionics are either gone, or completely corroded and I would wager a bet that the engine is missing too. This old geezer was clearly looking for some retirement money, lol.

[@bodazephyr6629]

yes the engine is missing

[@i.r.wayright1457]

I worked on the UH-1H in Vietnam. The man pointed to the area of the transmission in the aft part of the cabin, and said that is where the engine goes. Wrong. The engine sits above on the enclosed deck and behind the transmission. It would be a Lycoming T53-L14A with 1400 horsepower. The other helicopter is an Enstrom.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Thanks for the info. really appreciate it.👍

[@huey-fan8335]

A UH-1H has a T53-L13B ....

[@i.r.wayright1457]

@@huey-fan8335 Well it has been 50+ years, so I was off by one.

[@KutWrite]

I wondered if the roof-chopper was an Enstrom. It looked like one, but seemed too small. Maybe a homebuilt version based on it?

[@TheBoatPirate]

I hear the H model and the B model were the only ones that dustoff pilots liked. those guys were amazing from what i read.

[@andrewgates8158]

Will they take a company check?

[@XRakkgruntX]

Harrison Ford will write the check

[@mickeydee3595]

Tune in to next weeks episode where we find out how much it costs to buy a Black Hawk helicopter in Afghanistan!

[@jamesabroad8589]

Probably got showrooms full of them. 😁👍🍺

[@GenXMafia]

Most underrated comment of the decade!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣FJB!!!

[@USNveteran]

Best Vietnam combat helicopter book I ever read was "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason. FLY NAVY!!!

[@dand3975]

Snake Pilot by Randy Zauhn was a great book too.

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

I've read it several times, an eye opener for certain.

[@JODPAUL]

Yupp

[@BrushCountryAg06]

Same here…I have to also recommend reading, “LOW LEVEL HELL”.

[@dand3975]

L.B.J.'s hired gun (Marine Corps door gunner on a Huey) . Also Blue Max Missions & Memories, N.G. Brown (ARA /221 AHB), Was more very good reading. Many of these books can be read thru the "book loan" program at your local public library.

[@jeep146]

You would not to want to buy one unless you have deep pockets. If you do then you would buy a flying one. I worked army depot for awhile. To make it safe to fly it has to be torn apart and all the metal structure would need inspection and repair. Many man hours and you still have to get the critical parts like a engine and the avionics. For us poor people just a fantasy.

[@bavery6957]

My dad was a Dustoff pilot in Vietnam, 1965 - 66. He rarely spoke about it, but I'll never forget how shaken up he seemed after we went to see "Apocalypse Now" in a theater the first month it came out. He was kind of pinned to his seat, even after the credits ended and the lights came up. Of course, he stoically shook that off and carried on...

[@KutWrite]

There was a lot in that film to stick anyone to his seat, combat experience or not!

[@TheBoatPirate]

A real dustoff pilot was a seriously gigantic balled mofo. he deserved a LOT more than he got. and pulled off miracles to boot! Great book out there called Dead Men Flying.

[@tbugher62]

Paid $91,000 for mine in 2003,thats for a well used one,but still serviced with log books and flyable.😮

[@jamesabroad8589]

You gotta good deal mate.😁👍🍺

[@tbugher62]

@@jamesabroad8589 not really,if you look at the cost of parts it's expensive as hell.

[@dronemonkey2038]

For a B205?

[@jeffboonie3903]

Would be interested in cost per hour of operation

[@d-rot]

Im sure old Thai boy was amenable to some negotiating if you got cash on the barrel head so to speak.

[@richardmaxwell3472]

62,000 Australian's served in Vietnam , 514 KIA.

[@johno01970]

🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@MickB235]

Given the fact that it has been residing in a somewhat tropical area for what would be a quantity of years ,short of a near complete airframe teardown and inspection , about the only thing this machine would be worthy of now is display /museum piece, I dare say corrosion would be lurking in some not easily accessible places

[@dmsdmullins]

I'm a former Air Force heavy aircraft maintainer and would bet the house this would cost on the order of 10 times the purchase price to have a chance at being airworthy again.

[@erickrewson6419]

"The engine goes there", nope, the transmission goes there, old Huey crewchief here, 67-69, I worked on them mostly in field maintenance, took them apart and put them back together. 50 years later I could still take one apart just from memory.

[@jamesabroad8589]

I've seen a few more along the same highway that one has been moved now. Excuse my ignorance I know nothing about helicopters but find them very interesting LOL. 👍🍺

[@TheBoatPirate]

thanks man, you guys did good over there. i WISH i could play with one. every once in a while i see one flying fighting wildfires in norcal.

[@richardthomas9263]

Brings back fond memories. I never felt unsafe riding in a Huey, unlike the early days of the CrashHawks. They fixed the BlackHawk issues and now it has proven very safe and reliable. My last flight in a Huey was in 1986 from Fort Knox, Ky. Went on to ride many more missions in the BlackHawks and Chinooks till the mid 90s. Still love the sound of Huey it is so distinctive. Thanks for sharing.

[@KutWrite]

Yes, and the Cobra sounds similar, but has an angry growl to it.

[@TheBoatPirate]

I read that there are things a huey could do that a blackhawk could only dream of doing. those death spiral inserts had to be a sight to see.

[@brexpatfarang3780]

Hi James. The yellow one looks like an Enstrom F-28F or 280FX

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers, yes, that seems to be the general consensus.👍🍺

[@bad74maverick1]

I believe it's the F-28. the 280FX has a domed top with twin air intakes

[@bad74maverick1]

The helicopter on top of the bus is an Enstrom F28 Falcon. It has the "smooth" top and the wide air fins below and behind the exhaust port which seems to be covered. The 280FX will have the duel scoop air intakes on top that kind of dome it and they have a longer set of finely spaced air fins on the side

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers, thanks for the info mate.👍

[@BattShytKuhraezy]

PISTON ??

[@tirbomax]

@@BattShytKuhraezy yes

[@badgumby9544]

There was a National Guard Huey Medical Squadron on the base I was stationed at in California, back in the late 70's. They use to let me ride with them all the time. Used to sit in the side gunner seat(no guns mounted) with the side doors open. Great fun.

[@mikkesuperuser5371]

Interesting to learn that Thai soldiers also fought in Vietnam. Thanks for the research.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Yep, find this kind of stuff interesting. Might have to do a Kanchananburi trip someday.👍🍺

[@BROOKS39]

South Koreans ,Australians & New Zealanders also all fought in Vietnam

[@michaelsamuel9917]

@@BROOKS39 Ironically lots of West Indians also served in the US army back then it was a quick way to a Green card & US citizenship, i recall a local guy in the Trinidad Coast Guard who was a Helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and was flying Gazelle Helicopters.

[@stevekitt52]

Kanchanaburi is fascinating.The war graves are kept immaculate and i saw Thai schoolkids being shown around. The Jeath museum is quite sobering.

[@terrysaunders2026]

⁠@@michaelsamuel9917 Speaking of irony; lots of Canadians served in the US Army at a time that many Americans crossed the border to avoid service. Not picking on anyone, just sayin’!

[@johnhudson8197]

I flew 1,955 combat hours in Huey's (and gunships) in Vietnam - 1968~1970. Prior to that, I was a qualified helicopter mechanic. The one above has no engine. The price he's asking is nonsense. What condition are both the main and tail rotor blades? Is there still a transmission inside the housing? Beyond some missing circuit breakers, the instrument panel looks complete - But. Do any of the instruments and radios still work? Having a "shell" is one thing...a flyable helicopter another. I would tread very carefully on this one. John

[@jamesabroad8589]

The helicopter has been sold or moved on now but yes with no engine I think the price was way too high but with everything in Thailand all things are negotiable. Thank you for your comment.👍🍺

[@ezragonzalez8936]

cheapest flying condition in the u.s is $340k

[@DeadeyeLefty]

This one will cost you that again to repower it, and that again to finish the restoration...assuming the airframe is airworthy in the first place.

[@mikeschumacher9715]

rotor blades not propellers. that bird is too far gone to ever be certified again.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Yes, thanks.

[@kenfoote2598]

Not true. With money it could be flying again.

[@dean7118]

Door gunner US MC Danang 73-75 miss flying pilot was a crop duster low and fast

[@dave.of.the.forrest]

I flew them in US Army flight school ('83). Amazing this one still has all the instruments and avionics, although no engine. Cool find!

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers mate. Always stumble across interesting things in Thailand. 👍🍺

[@JohnDoe-jn4ex]

Charley don't surf.

[@MoreFormosa]

That's awesome! you speak great Thai too by the way. And I had no idea Thai forces also fought in the Vietnam war 👍🏼 I have a military surplus Army HMMWV but had to leave it behind. Can't get it into Taiwan, yet there's a guy that has one for sale in Taiwan at his offroad dealership, he won't reveal how he go it though. The US gov sold about 500 HMMWVS to Taiwan over the years, though I have no idea how you'd navigate their twisting mountain roads in one

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers, yes, loads of old army surplus gear here in Thailand.👍🍺

[@choppergirl]

Pass on the Huey, but I'd jump on that baby blue Honda C90 SuperCub to take back to the states. 3:29

[@enyawnivlag1]

And the problem with buying anything like that in Thailand is you can't get them out of the country.....My friend has 2 WW2 jeeps...and he can't sell them because of issues getting them out..

[@pogle63]

2.9 million bart £65,000 oooohhhh think some severe haggling needed with mr Cheung there - crazy high price !!!!! Good video though

[@skyfarmorganics]

Mate in 1993 whilst I was making a documentary film in Vietnam I was offered a crashed Huey with no engine for $5,000. I seriously considered it to try to ship it back to UK but money was too tight then so didn't take the bargain. Great vlog again.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Quite a story mate. An iconic collectable now. Not sure how you'd get it on your roof.😁👍

[@eddyriley2055]

looking for the engine? pointing in the wrong place. it should be overhead , below the rotor head ,slightly aft.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Yes, I have no clue about helicopters. Cheun pointed out where the engine goes lol.

[@porternelson2926]

I’ve always wanted to fly a Helicopter! The coolest machine ever invented!

[@theodoreolson8529]

Didn't you watch Clear and Present Danger? Harrison Ford bought a Huey for a million dollars. 🙂

[@fatherd.6016]

Not much good without the engine and electronics. Best place for that old girl is the scrapyard...!!!

[@FCain-mf4tf]

My neighbor Gary was a machine gunner in 1967 and 68 in Nam. He is still pissed off.

[@Few_politicians_run_your_life]

After the war in Vietnam Thai still have to fight with Communist within Thailnand until mid 80's. We have communist that took control of many areas especially in the mountains. A lot of people dies. The King of Thailand always go with the army and help develope something helping the people in order to change them and it became very success a lot of Communist converted. That's why we have school, hospital, free land for farming, almost everywhere.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Yes, my wife's Uncle fought on the border. Some interesting stories.👍🍺

[@docmach8794]

Aside from the engine missing, no soundproofing and the wiring hacked out, it would take you a month to get that thing ready to crash. Mr. Cheun was taking advantage of the farung. Kao chai mai?

[@Bigsky1991]

Over 2000 hrs in " Slugs"...I could preflight it and give you a thumbs up/down on it in about 30 minutes...

[@oldphart-zc3jz]

The overhaul of the engine and gearbox will be the real money to make a static bird a flyer. Then be sure to check ITAR to see if that model can be legally owned in your country.

[@hueydevotedUH1]

I think it's a '69. Crewed those for MANY years. Was seriously a sad day when they finally took our last one away.

[@timrussell1559]

I will pay you an american made 63 impala and a case of snickers bars for that huey. Yeh'suh, yoos gotz uh deeehl

[@dylanmccallister1888]

So, i looked up the requirements from the FAA to get one imported something i have never googled before 😂 Its surprisingly not a lot.

[@jerrodbeck1799]

The sad part is the US government started the Vietnam war in the gulf of Tonkin, and how many people died on both sides so sad🙏🏻

[@LERobinson1]

1700 hrs in a UH-1H. I believe the helicopter on the roof of the bus is a Brantly.

[@DannyCreech]

That is an EXPENSIVE lawn ornament. That is all it is. It would cost you way to much to get that flying again.

[@LostCloudx4]

lol he MIGHT get 250k for it if he's lucky. For 800k-2m you can buy a 747 lol

[@ravusursi893]

If you like Hueys, you MUST read Chickenhawk by Robert Mason. It’s a harrowing account of the life of a Huey pilot in Vietnam.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Yes, will check that out. Others commented on that book also. Cheers.👍🍺

[@ravusursi893]

@@jamesabroad8589 I read it when I was 19 yrs old (34yrs ago!) and it shocked me. Being from Europe, Vietnam war knowledge was limited to TV drams such as Tour of Duty and films like Hamburger Hill, FMJ and Platoon etc. I thought Platoon was brutal but this book actually shook me up! Multiple Hueys and Slicks flying across a sunset with Fortunate Son playing in the background is a distracting and misleading cliché, war for those guys brutal at best! Any Vietnam vets reading this, gents, you have my upmost respect!

[@GenXMafia]

@@ravusursi893Fortunate Son.

[@nathanroberts355]

If I had heapof gold nuggets and I take a trip to Thailand and buy this uh1 Huey helicopter

[@samdigiorgipo]

The ones that come out winners are the manufactures of all this equipment , ammo ,etc , , , wow , can't count the profits made and money spent , , ,

[@Mike-01234]

Looks to be in rough shape take lot of work, and money to make it air worthy again. Might make a good static display.

[@CalumMacNeil-qb6wp]

IF I HAD THE MONEY I'D BUY THAT CHOPPER HANDS DOWN AND SHIP IT TO SCOTLAND 'RE PAINT IT TO ORIGINAL COLOURS AND USE IT AS MY RECREATIONAL HANG OUT. SITUATED OVERLOOKING SOME BEAUTIFUL HIGHLAND SCENERY. THANKS FOR THE VIDEO.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Cheers mate. Glad you enjoyed it.👍🍺

[@GenerationGap69]

I used to fly a Kawasaki kh4 that was a Thai police training helicopter

[@lightmeupsigns5363]

The unidentified helicopter is a enstrom it’s English made from memory

[@Bigsleepy28]

My father flew these in Vietnam. He has some pretty cool stories about flying in general. We don't discuss the war much though but I don't blame him, I doubt it's something any veteran of that war likes to do. God Bless all who had to fight in that war. So many of us appreciate you.

[@thatguy8005]

It all depends on the engine condition and time… and time on parts, like blades. Helicopters prices cannot be determined by just looking at them… to get it safely flying could cost $1 million.

[@TuffBurnOutTeam]

Every bit of it

[@Mike-01234]

If you look at video 6:50 engine looks to have been removed. Not surprised he or someone got good money for the engine. Might be able to make a static display out of it like he did in a museum clean it up paint everything make it look new again lot cheaper than trying to make it air worthy. Cheaper to just buy one flying already.

[@seycheles27]

Please someone buy this and restore. It will make one hell of a documentary.

[@andyburleigh4578]

The small helicopter is and Enstrom. Civilian helicopter

[@pm1104]

The whit3 helicopter one looks like an Enstrom Shark..!

[@jameshund3203]

50 and with shipping no engine easier or the local shop that gust happened to find a rare engine boom apart to us

[@sleeplessstu]

The small copter on top of the bus looks like an old Enstrom trainer. Maybe an early ‘70’s F-28. The second helicopter I ever flew in after the Bell 47G

[@Sir-Vivor]

Remember: Charlie don’t surf 🏄‍♀️

[@spankyharland9845]

looks good, just a little elbow grease and it will be flight ready.

[@jameshund3203]

Incredible in the st golf they where deliberately not seen Lockheed

[@bobobrien6755]

Missing engine. Without log books it's a big paper weight.

[@ak-northman726]

The little one on top of the bus is an Enstrom f-28A.

[@djpmatchbox]

it could be restored to flight. just would need someone who wants to do it.

[@billyjack3361]

I flew UH-1H’s in Vietnam, 69-70. The same model here. The other helicopter is an Enstrom F-28A.

[@dadskrej5226]

I was a UH-1D-H mechanic in Vietnam 69-70 for the First Cav. I flew all the test flights after maintenance in our unit. These models were very easy to work on...all except the hydraulics in the 'hell-hole'. Never enjoyed that. Good memories and good video...thanks!

[@scotabot7826]

The other helicopter is a very early Enstrom Shark. The only thing that Huey is worth is scrap Aluminum, unless you have a couple million dollars to throw at it. It would have to be completely restored. Too many old, life limited parts that need to be thrown in the trash, although it already looks pretty stripped.

[@Oneye839]

I was with the 7 th infantry divisions at Fort Ord in the early 70’s and we used to love flying in these baby’s especially after walking 12 miles with a full rucksack 🤣🤣 the sound of these babies coming to get you was the best sound at the time.

[@jamesabroad8589]

Thanks for sharing mate. Used to hear them often before they were decommissioned here. Very distinct sound and always made me think of the Vietnam conflict. All the best.👍🍺

[@TC-tw5zk]

I was at fort ord in 1975... but for basic training and ait

[@UNITED-WITH-UKRAINE]

Nice old German MAN fire truck on the property

[@whatsawigwag2590]

I used to have an old 54 power wagon like one next to huey

[@user-po9sg3ks4p]

I’ll give him £20 quid for scrap

[@Beerbellybilly1]

The one on top of the bus I think is an Enstrom Helicopter

[@dave-yj9mc]

$82,000 isn't that bad.

[@rdw1970]

Chef: How come all you guys sit on your helmets? So we don't get our balls blown off!

[@jamesabroad8589]

Great movie. Saw it again a couple of months ago.👍🍺

[@rdw1970]

@@jamesabroad8589 Same here mate - one of my favourite films 🍻👍

[@acr9319]

@@rdw1970 Which film is that, seems like one I'd like to watch too.

[@ottergreen8190]

Buying and airworthy are horses of another color

[@Mike_Greentea]

What no blood stains! Not interested

[@jamesabroad8589]

WTF Bit brutal Mike lol

[@jrussell5243]

The 'one up there' looks like an Enstrom Shark,

[@bryce1916]

There is no engine , how was this advertised as ready to go .lol

[@corjp]

The helo on the bus is an Enstrom American made

[@KevinHuff23]

They want close to a million dollars for Uh-1 huey display that you can buy for around $80k in the US?

[@simonnoble7589]

HE would have to pay ME to take it away for him ?

[@mannyquin9192]

It’s missing the most expensive part the engine

[@3by2youRreal]

It’s piece of junk…. Too expensive

[@hoedemakerbart]

I met an American Vietnam vet in Thailand back in 2009. It was at the border near Cambodia, he went gambling there, was married to a Thai wife, he lived in Bangkok since the war ended

[@mitch_the_-itch]

Its the cyclic and collective not a joystick.

[@paradiddlediddle8630]

I was 67N Huey Crew Chief in Central America during the Iran Contra wars.

[@valkyrie9228]

Helicopter on roof is Enstrom F-28

[@JohnDoe-ml8ru]

Thats a lot of money for a 70 year old bird.

[@GenerationGap69]

I think the one on the bus is an Enstrom 280

[@pwrplnt1975]

It's missing the turbine...lol!

[@davidlawrence4246]

Fuel boost on,are we clear coming Hot

[@utley]

a lot of corrosion on that helicopter...the heli on top of the bus looks like a later model 47 with skin and an updated canopy bubble.

[@neilcigelske4454]

Nope not a bellno older Bells had 3 blades. The Ensrom was a lot nicer helicopter to fly than a POS aRobertson.

[@texan2u]

Ummm, wouldn't that thing be owned by The United States Military ?

[@jamesabroad8589]

In 1973, when the U.S. withdrew its last combat troops under the Paris peace accords, it left behind $5 billion worth of military equipment. Much of it was given or sold cheaply to Thailand.👍🍺

[@lessharratt8719]

Looks like an enstrom sitting on the bus.

[@Kiwibird8888]

The other helicopter looks like a Estrom