My 1965 Huey Helicopter - Chasing Down a Dream

Walk around of my 1965 Uh-1h Huey Helicopter. I have been restoring this bird for the past 5 years here on my property.

[@mikedelta9590]

1965 is my year of birth. Lucky Guy to have this in your backyard. Congrats from Germany for this iconic aircraft. Live your dreams.

[@arts6821]

I think every man's dream is to have a Huey in their backyard haha!

[@jrranch9712]

outstanding.

[@oof9952]

I want a Blackhawk fly it low and fast

[@tihi79]

100% 👍🏻

[@kennybarnes3776]

100% !! 💪🏻🤣

[@williamanderson6006]

Thank you for keeping this important piece of history alive

[@charlesmiddleton3247]

I am without words at the moment! Let me take a breather..... I still have dreams now and then of these work horses of aviation. I served in the Marine Corps at New River Air Station early 70's. Nothing but helicopters and A-10's. Rode in a few of these along with some CH-46's. Some great memories. I would give anything to be back flying again. Such a tremendous job. Thanks to all who were involved in getting this "girl" back to flying condition. Semper Fi!

[@steventwiddy3402]

Jacksonville has grown quite a bit since then, I work on OV 22s and H 53s at cherry point

[@charlesmiddleton3247]

@@steventwiddy3402 Been back to my old stomping grounds a few times and yes it has changed tremendously from my days in. Thanks so much for your expertise on your mechanical skills for working on those flying Marine Corps "Birds".I Semper Fi!!!

[@steventwiddy3402]

@@charlesmiddleton3247 I’m just trying to do my best and support our warfighers

[@Ottomypall]

I concur the experience U.S.ARMY 1979

[@garybolton7916]

I love the sound of a Huey starting up! It is so distinctive the different sounds as the turbos increase power!!👍🤗

[@mustanlab302]

I pass by every so often. I love seeing it out in the yard. The uh-1 is such an incredible machine

[@Ottomypall]

Absolutely

[@carlmclelland7624]

I was an Army air traffic controller, 1967-70. We had lots of opportunity to jump in the left seat and get 'bootleg' flying time. Spent many hours is C, D and H models.... You brought a tear to a glass eye with this project. Hoping for every success and yes... if ever I'm driving past, rest assured I'll stop and talk about those days with you........... Carl, 366th ASD, DakTo, Vietnam, '68-69

[@larryfindley3197]

I was a controller with the 362 ASD in Tay Ninh 69-70. Got many free rides with Huey pilots and crews. Sure miss flying.

[@larryfindley3197]

Carl. I was at Kessler 12/68 to 5/69. My MOS was also GCA. When I got to Tay Ninh in June of 69 a new tower and GCA were up and running. Took 3 days to get a ride out of Ben Hoa. Found quickly why they called it Rocket City. Glad you made it home.

[@Bill-yy3ck]

Welcome home brother B Co 3/8 4th Div 68-69 Plei Trapp Valley 3/69

[@mikeizzano172]

I wasn’t in country , but I served 68/72 Navy helicopters you don’t know how many men ,and some women , will tear up on this one me included…I still can hear a chopper coming way before anyone else can .It will always be a part of me ,I hold my head high to this day will still defend my country and flag…..sorry about the rant , only a guy with a Huey in his yard could understand…thanks

[@Mike-226]

My older neighbor, who knew me since I was a child after my parents moved next to him, spent over twenty years working on these as a mechanic at CCAD (Texas) after he was discharged from serving and fighting in Korea . A vast number of them were being sent here from Vietnam later and he was one of the men who fixed them so they could be sent back over there. He also was of a select few who had special knowledge and skills to work on a certain part/area of Chinooks to the point that they flew him out to California at one point to do work on them and train other mechanics. It was an honor to have known him.

[@richwhite4331]

Great job on the restore!! I was in country in 68/69 and got to ride in these babies on a number of times, a couple of trips into HOT LZ's and the guys that flew these and the door gunners where the grunts best friends!!!!!! Every once in awhile a Huey will fly over our area here in central California and I have my grandson yelling "POP SMOKE"!!!! when we here that unforgettable sound of the Huey!! Thanks for all of the work & $$$$$ your pouring out to keep this bird alive for others to enjoy!! God Bless You!!

[@richardbillhartz4537]

As an Army Cessna O1E Bird Dog pilot in the Delta in 69, I had the opportunity to fly in a number of Hueys, always with the transmission over torque warning flashing due to the density altitude. They are tough machines to survive the conditions they were flown in, and the pilots deserve a lot of credit for keeping them in one piece.

[@EDB888]

This is really a dream! Fantastic historical piece! Greetings from Brazil

[@randymacsgarage]

1965 I was 5 years old my father was in the Army so I was a Army brat and I had OD green fatigues just like my dad we were invited to a photo shoot of the first Huey to have the 1st cav patch the yellow one painted on the door my dad was so upset with me because I hated the hat and I needed to wear it for the picture I don't remember which base we where at and the picture is god knows where although I still see it in my mind as if it was yesterday instead of almost 60 years ago. Great job thanks for the memory 👍👍

[@SpressoHead]

Beautiful. Very fond of these. I grew up in the late 60’s - mid 70’s a half mile from the front gates of MAFB. I can still fondly recall the unholy deafening thumping of 10, 12, sometimes 15 or more of these coming in and leaving in formation at the base during the conflict. A local family of pilots here in Billings purchased one several years ago and restored it as a search & rescue unit. It went to aid in the relief effort in Indonesia after the Boxing Day tsunamis. In fact, it flew over me today, and I felt the hair on my neck stand up! These old birds are tough - they’re worth saving. Thank you for the vid. I hope you get to fly it someday!

[@Lt.Gruber]

Gorgeous project mate, good to hear you so passionate about it and keeping this iconic aircraft from history alive

[@pateastes9767]

Old Huey driver here. Hope you get that bird flyable. Great helicopters!

[@Ottomypall]

I'll take a Huey over the more modern ones today . Those rotors thump the air making a warrior sound comming.

[@Monkmaster1969]

Just saw your page while roaming around this afternoon. Super job in the resto! I was an instructor pilot/ flight commander at Mother Rucker from 1969 to 1973 in the contact division. We were responsible for training initial entry pilots in the UH-1 aircraft. We flew A, B, D, and H models during our month long phase. My flight trained all commissioned officers from the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corp. Was a long time ago, but your video gets a smile, and an increased heart rate in this old duck.

[@supercat380]

Holy Gaboon viper! This beats owning a Ferrari or any other grown-man's toys!! Well- done on your achievement in making this helicopter a remarkable display chopper!!

[@jankro1]

Besides owning and flying a Black Hawk, like Heavy D😊

[@afreightdogslife]

What an awesome project! Best of luck and never stop the project. This historical bird deserves a second chance of life. Good job, good man, I salute you. E-4 12-B US Army combat veteran.

[@stefanosemisa9288]

Genuinely beautiful! I can understand how much love and passion you put into her and this awesome project. She is stunningly fascinating. Thanks for sharing!

[@AlvinUselton]

I’m so very happy for you!! I hope you get it air worthy and completely restored. I love these birds

[@LaCorvette]

That's a nice bird to have sitting on the lawn. Thumbs up for the work you have put in to make history come alive for generations to come.

[@DaveRubs]

My dream is to ride in a Huey! Dude your slick is awesome 😎

[@Longhorn77Gunner]

I was a gunner on a UH-1D in Vietnam. 1966-1968. Love this bird. 1st Aviation Battalion, 1st Infantry Division.

[@Ottomypall]

Luv the Huey U.S.ARMY 1979

[@bigcountry5045]

THATS FRIGGEN AWESOME ... VERY BEAUTIFUL BIRD !! I LOVE THE HUEY ... I RODE IN A FEW WHILE I WAS IN THE ARMY IN THE GULF WAR ... THATS WHEN THEY WERE REPLACING THEM WITH THE BLACKHAWKS SO I TOOK EVERY CHANCE I COULD TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THEM BEFORE THEY WERE GONE ... I WOULD LOVE TO RIDE IN ONE AGAIN SOME DAY ... THAT ICONIC WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP AS THE BLADES CUT OR " BEAT " THE AIR .... YOU JUST CANT BEAT IT ..... I LOVE THAT SOUND !!!!!

[@michaelneely4851]

If I woke up every morning knowing I was walking out to my Huey. My guy I would be freaking emotional, And a combat proven Huey. " Where's Mike?" " Crying at the back door again." Congrats man truly a dream come true

[@CalumMacNeil-qb6wp]

I wish I had one of those in my garden I would KID on I was flying it .By raising it up and down by hydraulic supports. GREAT MACHINE IF ICOULD AFFORD ONE I'D GET ONE RHANKS FOR THE WALK ROUND.

[@carlosleonardogomezhidalgo1573]

This guy is living the dream for real.!!! Nice video brother beautiful piece of history

[@BeltFedsComLLC]

Thanks man

[@cchuckfm]

Excited to see this in the air again someday. Nice work so far!

[@davidbain1009]

My all time fav machine, l restore cars and can only imagine the time and love you put into restoring this Huey. Awesome stuff mate from down under.

[@D.Frasure]

That engine bay is really clean, nice! really nice Huey you got I enjoyed the tour.

[@briansouthworth737]

Wow, How Cool is This, The History And The Stories. If It Could Only Talk.. Thanx For Sharing . . .

[@grudzien9784]

Hey brother, nobody is a nobody! You inspire a lot of people with this. Beautiful machine! Congrats

[@Ottomypall]

Absolutely I am a Huey fan big time. U.S.ARMY 1979

[@johnlazlo1908]

My Uncle was Marines in Nam Helicopter squad. Best documentary that I saw was a restored Bell Huey going around the country giving rides and stories from Nam.

[@MRrwmac]

Just another old Army Huey Pilot here. Not just Rucker Advanced Training in B models but 5K total mostly in D models in my 23 year career. Wanted to thank you for the memories! You either learned your terminology from rebuilding it piece by piece, or you crewed or flew them. You are one lucky guy to have gotten one and even though your family may not understand your want of it, they need to know you love your family very much for letting you enduldge yourself into it. They are special and keepers (as we used to say at the o club…haha). Maybe someday you’ll get a chance to pull pitch on her! Just remember to keep the oily side down!

[@BeltFedsComLLC]

Thank you sir for the kind words and taking the time to write something so thoughtful. I’m doing my best to restore this to standards that you old Huey crew would respect. - Aaron

[@mr.m2556]

That slick is bad ass, love to follow your progress in her restoration. Cheers

[@itsathaithing]

Pretty cool man. I too, am a middle class nobody that bought a 1966 Learjet 24. A dream I have had of owning one since I was a kid. You never know you may have that thing flying sooner than you think. Opportunities present themselves.

[@chadpyett6441]

She's a thing of beauty man hope you get it back to its former glory

[@danielandjenny9]

Hi I’m from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and I absolutely love history and things to do with military stuff including helicopters… that set up is amazing 🤩

[@bigbang7897]

Watching from Ireland I hope you get it running some day there is nothing like a Huey.

[@lyonanddebanderson4418]

Just Awesome!!! I remember UH1's (HUEYS) well. I could go to sleep with you running that thump, thump all night if you were my neighbor. You are a lucky man & thank you for preserving her. A friend of mine just had the exact one he flew put into a museum in Salt Lake City a few years back. Great music ending too!

[@i.r.wayright1457]

I'm in Pennsylvania and used to work on the engines (T53-L13A) in the H model Hueys. I was at Vinh Long in the Mekong delta with the 7th Squadron 1st Air Cav 68-69. Have you ever tried to start the engine? Best to do that on a flat spot, not on a side hill like where it is now.

[@ed12151]

Brings back so many memories, I was a rotor system repair specialist (68 E 2P) at Ft Bragg '75 - '78 with the 1 Sqdn / 17 AirCav, 82nd ABN. Wasn't onlt fun to work on the Huey's but we also had OH- 58's and AH- 1's (J & S models). God, I miss those days, even the pain in the ass swash plate adjusting.

[@nivid01]

Well done mate! She looks fantastic! Great colour!!!

[@hlarks]

I grew up a couple miles from NAS Glenview in Illinois. We had Hueys flying over daily. It was a low flying Huey that set off the alarm in my first car. Around 2004, I'm working on a construction site near Buckley AFB in Colorado when I hear the distinct sound of a Huey approaching. My partner never heard it before and I told him to wait for it. He was impressed.

[@humid-rb7rt]

WOW! Great video! It brings back memories as I was a infantryman with 2/5 Cav 87-90. When I got out they were just bringing the Blackhawks in. I have sat in the door ripping the treetops in this bad bird white knuckling lol. We also took our Air Assault training in these. A truly badass bird! So glad you have it American. Hoooaaahhhhhh!!!

[@Kristianott]

This has got to be one of the coolest things you can purchase wow!

[@sararedfearn4691]

You Sir are not , repeat not a nobody. You are a very committed individual , that I admit to being very very jealous of. I live in the UK so getting a helicopter in a used and striped condition out ot the question. Good luck with you project and don’t stop. Thank you JR/UK

[@andreabenvenuti7940]

Amazing helicopter and super job from your side! I love it!

[@LEAD-DISPENSER]

that's the coolest thing ever glad someone has it that loves it

[@jmuniz7844]

Wow that is in incredible! Amazing to be able to own a piece of American history. Congratulations, hopefully you can do a video down the road of it fully restored.

[@silverfoxstacker1588]

I crewed on of these most of the 80’s. I’d point out your tailrotor driveshaft clamps should be indexed 90° to each other if not the shafts will be completely out of balance. And the clamps gaped with no more than .13 difference if I recall. Love to stop by and see this beauty being in Pa as well

[@MetamorphicWonders]

That is awesome. Greetings from the UK. I like random stuff and this is right up my alley!!!!

[@DARQ71]

Great Job!!! Congratulations for sure you must feel very proud to restore this piece of History in your backyard....

[@johnnyh409]

Brings back many memories some good more bad. I have never have felt more alive as I did flying into a hot LZ.

[@jeffreydyanzio5709]

Finally, I pass this thing all the time and have always wondered about it sitting it your yard!

[@jacobburkard8612]

I hope you guys get it flying, that's awesome

[@waterbaron5392]

I rode as a crew chief and door gunner for medivac 1st. Calv for 756 hours from 15 December 68 to middle of November 69. I don’t miss one damn minute of it.

[@chuckfranklin6621]

So cool that you own this! Cant wait to see it get airworthy! Helicopters rule!

[@GeneralHawk505]

I would love to travel to come see this beautiful bird!!!

[@arnosquellati567]

Excellent video! This helicopter is my favorite because they were flying when I served in the US Army. The M60 MG is my favorite MG too. So thank you for these videos. I subscribed.

[@thomashammond5936]

RVN 69-70. I was an engineman 68B20. I was at Bearcat with the 135th AHC EMU's. Then at Long Bien with the 117th AHC Warlords. The Huey is the best aircraft ever. SGT Tom Hammond

[@AlvaradoPinup]

Thank you for preserving History, amazing!

[@williamsaldanah3554]

Super clean looking engine, lines, etc!! Bet you could get it started in short time, maybe not legal but running!!❤

[@Wrongway-vb1lj]

Nice project. Looks sweet, please continue. Without breath.

[@AdamBorseti]

To me, you've achieved a rare status in life. I mean, who the fuck else can say they own a Huey and a bunch of machine guns? America baby, FUCK YEAH!

[@laurence1643]

Excellent !!! USAF 66-70, weapons & munitions specialist, F-4 D

[@mattottie6410]

Hopefully it out of the weather in winter, nice, we had two uh1p choppers in the USAF as my base, 1974, real history, thx. Matt

[@sandeewood2948]

That Huey really cool looking you are doing a great job of restoring this Huey as a grunt in the 25th infantry division I flew on many of those choppers in 1968/1969.

[@humid-rb7rt]

I went through basic with three platoons of guys at Benning headed to the 25th. Thanks for your service brother and welcome home.

[@sandeewood2948]

thank you I appreciate that thank you for serving…

[@Martinbergin]

Very well done,greetings from ireland

[@Pauls-World]

The best yard art I’ve ever seen

[@robc.5745]

What a lawn ornament ,Beautiful.

[@tabdycollins]

Well done. I wish I had one. I used to fly them in Oman. If I win the Euromillions - a Huey is on my shopping list.

[@brianvaughn8136]

I envy you sir, absolutely bad ass. Wish we were neighbors!.

[@davidlawrencebanks4610]

Looks fantastic, well done sir

[@wedge7j7]

I was a Huey mechanic stateside and crew chief/ mechanic in Germany early 80's...

[@gusm2752]

That’s awesome. Hope to her take flight again some day. 👍🇺🇸

[@les8518]

I can understand your love. Goodluck to you for the day it takes to the air again.

[@andrewbergman9315]

Airworthy? I truly hope this one flies.... so beautiful and so well restored.

[@jeffreypinder9398]

65 Would be a -11B, correct. -13B improved version in 1968. She is a beauty. I crewed them from 1983 to 1988.

[@terrylacey3607]

Great video what a great place as well ❤

[@RipperYou]

A true beauty!

[@jamieyork8615]

That is the best looking helicopter ever made!

[@roypeavy3542]

Hat's off for you restoration on the Huey. 69/70 Americal Vietnam 👍👍

[@christiancea6]

This is amazing! I wish you were my neighbor lol. I grew up near West Point and watched these fly my entire life. Incredible helicopter, please keep us posted. You earned my subscription

[@whiskeythree1622]

Ya GOTTA get straight & FLY it! Outstanding job -- looks like the hard part is done Go get em 👍🏼

[@billberry557]

I can only imagine the cost at firs purchasing this Aircraft and then the cost of procuring the parts not to mention the manhours on restoring it. You have done a great job from what we can see in the video I am impressed with not only the state of the Aircraft but you actually have an engine most restorations are lacking that. The Door Gunner side of the Aircraft which is the side you first show from the nose back to the tail is great (it is not the Crew chief side of the Aircraft). Pilot on the right seat and door gunner on the Right hand crew seat Aircraft Commander on left front and Crew Chief on the left crew seat. The Armor seat were not Kevlar but instead they were Ceramic much the same as the Chicken Plate that we were issued for a chest protector. The Engine is or was in the H model was a TH53-13 not a -11 that was one of the differences between the D Model and H model you have. Not knocking you on the corrections just updating what you were saying. Love the job you have done this is very impressive and is actually better looking and more correct than some Aircraft you may see on display in a Museum. Believe it or not not the paint patchwork on your aircraft and it's wear and tear condition was very indicative of how our aircraft looked with them having been used sometimes 10 to 12 hrs or more per day sometimes 7 days a week. I was assigned to the 174th AHC LZZ Bronco at Duc Pho and was there from Feb 1969 to Feb 1970. Working as PE Team leader performing 100 hr Maintenance Cycles on our Aircraft I got to see a lot of them almost on a weekly basis. Great jp you have done on this Aircraft. You are living the dream a lot of us who served in Nam and worked on or manned these Aircraft have and that is owning our own Huey. Keep up the good work and share your progress please.

[@BeltFedsComLLC]

Thank you sir for the very thorough and detailed write up. I appreciate you taking the time to do it. Yes I know they went to the - 13 when they converted them from D to H… I had mentioned in the video that the - 11 was the correct engine when it was issued in 1965. From what I understand this was converted to H in 1967…. Attention to detail is very important for me. I have all the door Gunner stuff for the other side of it as well….. most restorations I see have brand new paint on them. All of the paint on this helicopter is original and it looks old and war-torn. Which is exactly how I like it. I believe it gives it character. But a lot of Vietnam vets I talked to like yourself also affirmed that these helicopters looks like this in Vietnam.. lots of hard use… Thank you again for the kind words and for taking the time to give me your feedback. It means a lot. Thank you

[@JohnPennock-d3y]

Wow, thats a REAL LAWN ORNAMENT! John P.

[@joey193650]

That is so cool. I am happy someone has this for the love of the project not for the monetary value. I see so many cars go to people who have no knowledge or love of the car itself. they just car about the dollar. Also Mecum and Barrett Jackson have made the car hobby very expensive. Everyone thinks they now have a million dollar rust bucket in the yard. I know it is late , but it just popped up on KZbin. Guess I know what I will be watching for a while. Got to catch up on the videos now.

[@bretthoffman2128]

Looks good. You’ve really got to be on the repairs though, as I understand the FAA is really proactive about making sure everything is just right

[@foxtrot312]

Classified it as an experimental aircraft when ready to fly?

[@hamletthaus3046]

You. Are a legend Sir. Hat tip!

[@bettypruitt7582]

Kudos for your commitment! Nice!

[@mshoulders100]

Thank you to the pilot's that brought our boys and girls home safely.

[@AlbertHess-xy7ky]

Thank you to the pilots who lit Vietnamese women and children on fire. 50,000 American patriots came home in a bag.

[@johnflechler263]

You have found the Holy Grail of antique collecting. Your neighbors may not be too happy if you ever fire that thing up and start rattling all the windows in the neighborhood. If you have a son he can tell the other boys at school that he has to get home after school to help dad mount another M60 on the side of his Huey. If you have a daughter you can tell her boyfriend to come out in the back yard that you want to show him your Huey with the M60 you have mounted on it and what it will do. I used to tell my daughter's boyfriend that I wanted to take him out to the garage to show him my band saw and what it will do. He eventually married my daughter.

[@DEVILFISH1122]

What a cool project!😊

[@barrywinslow9798]

Well done my friend....love the Huey

[@pipeliner345]

I totally!!!! Completely understand why you're doing this. I would love to do the very same thing one day. ❤

[@ronniehayes2396]

That bird may have flow in Vietnam, but the tail number looks like it was last flown Okla National Guard before being fazed out, so I contacted a friend who flew for the guards and he thinks he flew it he will be checking his log book, thanks for showing it off and also restoring it. 1SG Hayes retired OKANG

[@BeltFedsComLLC]

The tail boom is from another bird. That is not the tail number… The helicopter S/N is 65-10032

[@evergladesflyer5167]

Fantastic is all I can say. Ex Huey technician here.

[@Tier1Norseman]

Looks amazing. I have an OH-6 fuselage sitting in my garage roght now 😂, I'm going to put it on an M35A2 with the front end of the truck for my powerhouse and a cut bed that will match up with the fuselage so I can drive a helicopter around on a 6x6 with a Chevy big block gasoline engine. Since I never got to fly or ride in any, I'll at least drive her and enjoy every bit of it.

[@kennetharntson5912]

I rode on a couple of hueys while stationed in Saigon back in 1967-68. In 1974, I worked on a oilfield project in New Guinea ( Irian Jaya) , we had 14 Hueys on the project since we were working in the jungle. even the drilling rig were moved and assembled by the helicopter took 47 load to move a rig. The helicopter flew out pipe for the pipeline, and every morning 14 of us including the pilot flew out to the jungle to clear the jungle and build pumpstation and pipelines. All the piolets were ex-Vietnam combat piolets about my age of 27. One pilot named Appelton would come out where I was working and pick me up for a fly around he would show me how to fly the Huey. Which was very complicated. They were 5 controls you had to use the 2 foot pedals controlled th back rotor, then on the side of the seat was rather collector that controlled the pitch of the top rotor. Between your legs was a rod with different buttons on it but it controlled the orientations of to Huey. I war never good at flying the Huey. My father had a Cessna170 that was far simpler to fly. But for a 27 year old flying on helicopters and building pipelines in the jungles of New Guinea working 4 weeks on and getting 2 weeks off in Bangkok, LIFE COULD NOT GET ANY BETTER for the 3 years I spent on that job. Also on that job we had 2 Bell jet Rangers and 2 Hugh's 500s(fly Easter eggs).