Restoring Cobras & Hueys at the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation

A visit to the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF) in Hampton, GA in late March 2021, where the national one-of-a-kind non-profit organization restores, maintains & operates a fleet of Vietnam & Desert Storm-era combat veteran Huey & Cobra helicopters. They are composed of Veterans, their families & civilian supporters, working together to keep Army Aviation history alive through various youth & public outreach events, air shows, flyovers, movie & TV show productions & more.
The company also provided an update on their Cobra 'Project 295', currently being restored to its original glory when it came out of production as the 50th Cobra ever made.
Visit & donate - armyav.org/about
Credit: Mike Killian / All Rights Reserved, pls contact for use
/ mikekillianphotography
/ mikekillianphotography
www.mikekillianphotography.co...

[@MikeKillian]

SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL - youtube.com/@MikeKillian FOLLOW MY WORK ON SOCIAL MEDIA! - instagram.com/mikekillianphotography - facebook.com/MikeKillianPhotography ARMY AVIATION HERITAGE FOUNDATION ⬇️ Instagram - instagram.com/armyaviationheritage?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ= Facebook - facebook.com/ArmyAvOrg?mibextid=LQQJ4d JOIN / DONATE & WEBSITE - armyav.org

[@Jason-iz6ob]

My dad is a Vietnam vet with PTSD thanks to it. But to this day if he ever hears a Huey flying over, which doesn’t happen much these days but did when I was a kid, he’ll stop, smile, and say that’s a Huey. Once I asked why he liked it so much, “Cause when we heard that we knew they were coming to get us out.”

[@Jason-iz6ob]

@Bernard Of course not.

[@coltongarber8087]

Amen it was the sound of freedom and the sound of death for the Vietnamese

[@toshawebster6523]

What so sweet about you this is that piece of metal that called Jesus nut 😄if that fails prepared to met Jesus just the way you Said it so funny I had to lol 🤣 makes my day that's why I love these toy Jesus is the real pilot he's the one In control of these craft you taught me a very interesting story thank you mike it will always stays in my head 😇🙏🏽 when I heard about Vietnam I think about my baby the love of my life ❤️ I remember watching the Vietnam war on television in the 80s 🙏🏽✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾👍🏽

[@westerlywinds5684]

@@toshawebster6523 Never blaspheme. Never.

[@olilolilgibran1745]

*kkk"l"ľ

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

These birds deserve almost the same level of respect as the men who flew them....

[@EnterpriseXI]

Almost?

[@dakmycat3688]

They threw a lot of those over Board after the war.

[@lcfflc3887]

@@EnterpriseXI well they are just machines after all so you can not equate.

[@smokeyjoe4078]

A Huey/Huey-Cobra is for Vietnam what a Spitfire or a Messerschmitt is for WW2 . . . A Milestone for Aviation history! Love them! And it is really satisfying to see them restored and honored!

[@Its_Me_Romano]

i would compare them more to the P51 Mustang and P47 Thunderbolt

[@MichelleW870]

@@Its_Me_Romano p51 is the only one that competes with spitfires or 109s in iconic status, p47 is lower

[@dadskrej5226]

Company A, 227th AHC, 1st Cavalry in Lei Khe South Vietnam. I was lead mechanic for our company in 1969-70, fixing/maintaining UH-!D and UH-1H models. I flew all the test flights for Hueys coming out of maintenance. Loved the job and the flying! Still get excited when a Huey flies over.

[@Jedidaddyo]

As a 67-Y from the Desert Storm era it's really great to see some of these snakes and birds getting some love, and living new lives.

[@adriancullingworth2051]

Thank you for preserving these war birds and thank you for your service as well as those who commented or were mentioned 🫡🇺🇸❤️

[@cogboy302]

Hello from the UK. There's a Huey UH1 that's been restored and flying over here in the North West of England. It flew over my house one day and that two rotor 'thump thump' sound is unmistakable. Beautiful piece of kit.

[@darylcav6285]

These birds bring back many good memories, I was a 67Y in the 80’s . Served in C Trp, 4/7 Cav and 229AHB . Thank you guys for keeping them alive!

[@jiridvorak]

Thanks for service, sir !

[@larrysouthern5098]

Cobra and Huey.......two Superb aircraft.. OUTSTANDING CREW THAT FLEW THEM.. SORRY WE LOST SO MANY BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN...... Outstanding performance!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!! ( small words for a HARD AND THANKLESS JOB!!!..) 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@dw7094]

Same air frame, same distinct sound!

[@KyleCowden]

The Huey (originally HU-1 is where the Iroquois got its nickname and was later re-designated UH-1) was in service when I was in the Army. I've rappelled out of them, parachuted from them and hopped out in air mobile exercises. I can still smell and hear them. Love that platform.

[@Matt-uz5qw]

I fly on the new Yankees as a gunner, wouldn’t want to fly on any other bird

[@Le.le_le]

nói thật ba que khoái nó lắm

[@Matt-uz5qw]

@@Le.le_le no ablo espanol

[@Le.le_le]

@@Matt-uz5qw càng trực thăng đối với 3 que thật tuyệt vời , thật đấy

[@jmmartin7766]

My dad was a snake driver in 'Nam who got shot down three times and still made it home. That *could have* been one of his birds... Nice to see you guys doing this.

[@Thunderbirdsforever-]

Damn! I was in Vietnam with 101st airborne division as an infantryman, 2/501st infantry, Camp Eagle Vietnam, Camp Carroll, Vietnam. I will never forget the first time that we were told to saddle up! and headed out with the “ fabulous blue stars’” of the 48th assault helicopter company. Absolute magic! I was sitting in between the two seats and just staring out at the land in front of me when the helicopter started to rise up and the land started to disappear beneath us. Anyway there’s a BUNCH of surplus Hueys (and I mean chitload) near the little airport just outside of Maricopa Arizona. If you follow the Google map leading away from the city of Maricopa and heading toward the Casagranda area, just as you were leaving Maricopa you search for a little airstrip, and then you will look around at the different hangers by using Google earth and you will spot probably 100 or so Vietnam era Hueys. There is also a pile of different parts and components laying around out there some of the radio flaps still have artwork and decoration from Vietnam but it’s really faded in the hot Arizona sun. I don’t know who owns it but I know it’s been there for years and years and it looks static as if somebody went out and bought all these helicopters and then walked away from the whole project. I went out there one time after I heard about it and sure enough it was a Huey extravaganza! But there was a pitbull hanging around and I just stayed in my car. I hope you can look it up on Google Earth and make contact with the owners and see if he’ll donate a few of his ships to you.

[@bobbybandz9194]

My grandfather flew both in Vietnam; he never talked about the war really,but loved to talk about the choppers,esp his Huey!

[@MikeKillian]

Guys would burst into tears at the sounds of a Huey bcuz it meant they were being saved

[@ajl9791]

Thank you for keeping these hero’s still flying. Very proud of you guys and the brave pilots that flew them.

[@sandraelsmaterialoblivion7201]

HOLY CRAP!!! I flew on the first one shown more than once. Never forget that tail number. There is a rough looking Huey at a museum by me, going to approach them in the spring about fixing the old lady up some

[@wheel1775]

I’m a Marine, and I will always have spot in my heart for the Corps. However it brings a tear to my eye when I see these helicopters brought back to life. I have a newfound admiration for all that served in Vietnam, as more and more of their stories are told. Preserving the helicopters is one way to help preserve the memory of those that served. I hate seeing any military aircraft left to rot. So many veterans served admirably in these craft, that they deserve to be preserved. Walk through any aircraft museum and you can feel the aircraft talking to you. I can’t thank you enough for what you do.

[@MrMnchstr]

I'm a retired 67N3T and always saw the Huey as the 57 Chevy of Army Aviation.

[@rickystutts6028]

I WISH THEY STILL MADE THEM . I LOVE TO HEAR THEM FLY OVER . YOU NEVER FORGET THE SOUND THEY MADE . AT AGE OF 10 I ALLWAYS WANT TO FLY ON ONE . AND STILL DO .

[@rayman1230]

After seeing all the Vietnam veterans comments, it would be cool to see as many who served in companies working and flying these, do a collaboration video. Having the helicopters and men who worked them during that time would be a milestone in revisiting history.

[@simoncampbell-smith6745]

An awesome aircraft. UH-1 is a classic example of if it looks right it flies right. Even as a Limey it is an icon.

[@Sharkwhisperer57]

Absolutely love looking at those old birds, sitting there. The time I spent on Hueys was short-lived, Blackhawks were phasing in as replacements, but they are near and dear. The Cobras were a constant sight on the airfield and air in Germany, the 501st ABC had so many of them. Followed the link and donated, will return and do so as often as possible. Thanks for taking the time to create this video and upload it.

[@colvinator1611]

You're all doing a great job preserving ( history ) these machines befitting of the heroes that flew in them. Great video, thanks a lot, Colin UK 🇬🇧.

[@tommyk1073]

Took a ride at Dayton air in show in that cobra..liked it so much that I decided to get my helicopter private license. It’s great what you guys do!!

[@nakotaapache4674]

Your jobs and passion is a great honor. I am thankful that you are helping history staying alive for that great engineering and great helicopters.

[@jamespence9469]

It was great to see these aircraft. I was a volunteer with the foundation back in the 2000s, mostly as a member of what was then called the Special Effects Team. However, I had a role in the painting of Huey 354. The aircraft was due to be repainted out of the CARC paint as it had come to the foundation. My way of putting in a vote in to get it repainted in Vietnam era colors was to paint a version of the Comanchero nose art on the back of my flight helmet. Based on that paintjob, I was asked to do the nose art on 354.

[@warrenchambers4819]

Yup true story I saw the whole thing, his involvement was kinda my fault but he's a dedicated kinda guy and I don't think he even holds it against me 😁. Jim does a dam fine job at whatever he sets his mind to and the foundation really benefited from his time there. By special effects he means he blew sh!t up and made it look good (He'd served in the Army in an armored outfit so things that go boom seemed to calm him down nicely) I knew we were all havin fun whenever Jim had that Chesty Puller look on his face I think that's how he smiled 😊

[@charlesmiddleton3247]

Thanks for all who put their time into restoring these historic beauties! Served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era at New River Air Station and road in a few of these "Birds." Eventually was attached to HMM-261 which was the CH-46's. Miss those days so much. Hope to one day get one more ride before my days are done. Semper Fi!

[@rtkville]

I was a Huey Driver in Vietnam 68-69, in the 48th ASLT Co. After Nam I flue a UH-1 in CA-ARNG and loved it. I retired from the Army with 26 yrs service. This was the best time of my life. What you folks are doing makes me feel proud and great-full THANK YOU!

[@Thunderbirdsforever-]

Flew is how it’s spelled, troll MF.

[@toddkarrick6711]

I don't remember tail #'s But I worked on those old Cobras as a 67Y in W Germany through the 80's. Love them old things... Thanks for the flashback

[@andresgarcia7757]

man the Huey just sounds iconic, too band it is getting rare to see one around these days.

[@jimlong527]

Great birds After four blade strikes crashes & a loach shot downs I survived, get this I am not a pilot….they are life savers. Thank you for what you do, 101st Airborne 2/502 Camp Eagle VN.1970-1971

[@sjd7188]

Thanksmfor posting. These guys are doing great work keeping these around and in good shape

[@Stubby0266]

I would love to work on the Cobras and Hueys again.

[@jeffsturges7434]

Now this brought tears to my eyes. Great job guy's - 12C10.

[@ronstowell8646]

Good times, was Army CC on cobras in Germany in the early 80's... keep up the great work.

[@Thunderbyrd.]

Very cool! I had the pleasure of visiting S.E.S. many times where helicopters are built, rebuilt and updated. It was interesting to see over a hundred Cobra's stripped down to the bare airframe and built back with new parts and brand new engines. I was shocked at the amount of wiring that runs through those helicopters. I was also able to talk to the mechanics, pilots, and test pilots. Interesting.

[@jyack275]

Looking under the outer panels really brings back memories. I still remember about 95% of the Hueys and Cobras. Marine Corp version.

[@stevenrobertson9583]

I was an Armament and Avionics technician and Armament Mechanic. at Ft. Rucker, Al. and was phased onto the AH-64 Apache helicopter. Loved every minute, I was assigned to to the Firing Range, to make sure they could complete their firing tables.

[@jyack275]

That looks fun. I used to be an Airframer and Hydraulicsman for the UH-1N's and AH-1W's. They were fun to work on. Especially the quick battle damage repairs. Marine Corps versions.

[@fireslayer5166]

Brilliant work fellas, hats off to you for preserving significant history that featured in the lives of so many soldiers. Well done, from Australia.

[@WarThnderMudnen76]

Brilliant video. Bloody marvelous. I'm only 2 hours away from you guys and cant wait to check it out. Cheers for making this and cheers to You tube for actually recommending something good.

[@unbrandedindustriesincorpo1701]

Great video Mike. Beautiful footage.

[@robertnorthrup1914]

I remember catching a ride on a Huey from Nah Tran to Dong Ba Tin and out over the South China Sea. The air crew got permission to “test guns” on a pod of sharks below. What a sight by a communications specialist.

[@deckpogi2680]

I am lucky enough to be save, picked and ride on the lovely Huey, I will never forget the whopping sound it makes on the distance, and when the side door gunner open fire it indeed a hail of bullet to the receiving end. the huey have a special place in my heart it save me and my men many times in numerous operations. even to this day hearing the whoop sound makes me turn back and search for it like a little kid.

[@rlr50]

Those Cobras are beautiful !

[@PPGATL]

Lots of "Hey I was... " coincidence stories here so figured I might as well jump in after the magic KZbin algorithm fed me this video. Was in the military, cold war era, a long time, flew in helicopters a couple of times. But that's not it. First, I'm one of those crazy guys with the rag wings out at the other end of the runway from you guys. We've seen you fly, we are impressed. Second, my next door neighbor is Cliff, a Vietnam era pilot/engineer who you certainly know. Third, before all of that happened, I paid for my wife to go on a Huey ride at Falcon Field some years ago. Her first time even near a helicopter, I told her to make sure she sat facing the door so she could get some good pictures through the window. She had no clue the door was going to be left open. You probably still remember her screams - she sure does, and enjoyed it very much! Good work guys, keep it up!

[@FunWithCars716]

Flew on a huey from the Army Heritage at the Niagara Falls air show in 2004, was one of the most amazing things I have ever done! It still had bullet holes in it from Vietnam!

[@P61guy61]

Awesome. Thank you for posting.

[@stinger1029]

Airtroop 11th ACR, Fulda Germany. Cobras by far are the best birds in the sky, IMHO. Love and miss them everyday.

[@allentate3760]

I rode in their Cobra about a year ago. Really great experience. Will do it again I hope.

[@grifce]

67Y was my MOS loved the Cobra

[@jyack275]

The canopies were such a task to replace but fun.

[@edgu71eg]

If i lived near you i would volunteer nothing more exciting than seeing an old bird being reborn

[@gtrs4ever]

That is so cool! I worked and crewed, stationed in Panama 114th Avn 1980-82, 227th 1st CAV 1982-83, Hawaii Army NG 1984, to sometime in the 90's when they traded them in for Chinooks. Hawaii Guard had OH-58A & C, UH-1H, AH-1G & 1H, yes, I worked on all of them, to include U-21 Beechcraft Airplane. Fortunate to have crewed and flown in all of them. Miss the smell of WTR, not! Ha! Thanks for keeping them alive! Brings back memories!

[@bigchunggus1138]

Loved the video sir

[@dogman490]

Thanks for the look at these old birds.

[@cliffjamerson3107]

Super cool I’ve wanted a Huey since a kid

[@MillsAmmunition]

Amazing work!! Thank you

[@kennethperian4370]

Great job showing and telling, keep on flying and fix them up nice helicopters . Love them helicopters thanks for showing telling have them flying and well see ya next time see ya bye.

[@dbriggs1689]

Awesome video man. Thanks for sharing.

[@batterup4669]

Impressive work!

[@gbjanuary]

Never been in helicopter but HUey always looked impressive watching them in Vietnam war films flying troops.

[@robertmiley3551]

Mad Respect Brothers! 😎

[@kellymiller9201]

I would never be able to leave. Pure Heaven.

[@aaronsauer6628]

incredible they look amazing

[@allgood6760]

Good work!.. our RNZAF operated Huey's.. cheers from down under 👍

[@beneluxairplanes]

the 2 bladed huey sounds soooo good ! its my number 1 chopper ! a dream to film 1 in action

[@ProducerCliff]

I so want a Huey! I learnt to fly in New Zealand, my instructor was a Vietnam dustoff pilot. They were still using Iroquois in New Zealand.

[@thatguy7085]

Good group their in Hampton GA. Loads of work by volunteers.

[@rogerarnold7262]

Looks like a fantastic place to visit

[@clintonscott9623]

I've worked on aircraft since 1989, I still can't believe these things actually fly, and rather well at that....

[@vanpenguin22]

Thank you for what you do

[@shingerz]

Brilliant stuff 👍

[@martinandersson1049]

Great content! I performed some sheetmetal work on a 1970 Bell 205A1 up in Norway the other day. The old Bird is still fully operational, doing heavy sling work in 2023! Beat that with modern tech in 50+ years.

[@adamthompson4979]

The statement " Marines don't agree" basically sums up the Marine Corps.

[@Bendigo1]

I know a few Marines that would disagree with you... 🤣

[@Ma77riK]

my pops was a UH-1 mechanic back in 1970-75, he's still a mechanic today, runs his own auto shop in eureka ca.

[@jamesfowler776]

Beautiful aircraft love ❤️ both huey and cobra

[@Dd-do6gf]

I got to ride in a vietnam veteran huey in hawaii before it was retired, it had an interesting life, shot down six times in vietnam, and put back in service.

[@corneliusthegreat6794]

cool to see this

[@02051970sonny]

Beautiful 😍👍👍

[@WakeMarine]

Skid Kids! Deployed with HMLA-367 "SCARFACE". I like the work you all are doing. Rah. VMA-211.

[@kjpphotography4764]

Those are really nice!

[@phantomghost1778]

Wow those are amazing to see those restored and can they still start

[@Erik-pr2rf]

when you heard the sound of the Cobra's and Hueys coming over the horizon in war you knew this meant business and the crap was gonna hit the floor

[@grant209]

Been a while since the last Australian Army Huey was retired from Service . . . sad day but most were 40 odd years old when retired . . . funny how even today the unique sound that is the Huey . . . still turn the heads of those who know and love the Huey to scan the skies well before we can see them

[@Its_Me_Romano]

the sound of relief

[@jamesappling1212]

As long as some Wiseacre isn't broadcasting "Flight of the Valkyries" it's great to see Them working again.😉

[@caveman6988]

We in Australia used these beautiful Hueys in the Australian army in Vietnam a great and reliable helicopter

[@yeehaw31415]

nice video! damn do I miss going in to AAHF

[@danielherrera7169]

Que bueno que restauren esas hermosas máquinas esos son clásico de ala aviación.. mundial. Ojalá hubiera más x los tres 👍👍👍 saludos...

[@hariyanto-wp5nq]

wow great job

[@pixelforge4858]

very cool

[@kennethbrown5784]

Amazing to see anything to serve in Vietnam and Iraq

[@i.r.wayright1457]

I was in B Troop, 7th Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry and was first at Di An for two months then at Vinh Long for the last 10 months. 10-29-68 to 10-29-69. 68B turbine engine specialist. I was on a test flight one night in a Cobra and flew it from the front seat with the pilot asleep in back. He woke up when I pitched left and down to turn back towards some lights on the ground as all in front of me was blackness of the Delta towards the South China Sea. The pilot stayed awake long enough to land back in the revetment, but it took three guys to get him out of the cockpit. He was up for 27 hours straight at that time around 2:30AM and had made three trips to Saigon the day before. Most fun flying was in the OH-6A though. But that is another story.

[@dangerousseriouslypreparin7875]

My favorite helicopter Huey I love sounds and way it fly , Cobra was also good look in my teen days

[@marleyboy7732]

Always hated seeing some on these in the bone yards. Always wondered why they just sat instead of just fixing them up. Or civilians use them much. Keep up the good work. Looks great.

[@outdoorlifemaine6691]

They look so perfect they look like models

[@sui1162]

I know somone on my dads side of the family that was a huey pilot, I dont know who exactly tho as theres tons of people in my immediate family its hard to remember all their labels. But anyways, its always nice to see these birds get fixed up.

[@michaelrodriguez2719]

Yes that helicopter is very useful and effective ,used particularly on Pacific tropical forested region good for them to restored it and served its purposed.

[@Erik-pr2rf]

wish these beautiful birds were still used in war time .... they have FIREPOWER like the apache ... nothing beats them

[@degosaurus9798]

I’ve always wanted a uh1 it’s my favorite flying vehicle of all time

[@allenrobbins3072]

I can't believe I'm old enough that I may have actually flown one of those in Flight school in Rucker