Sikorsky UH-34D Helicopter Startup

This helicopter is retired from the Marine squadron HMM-362. From 1965 to 1968 this helicopter served in Vietnam and still has 54 bullet hole patches. Currently based in Inola Oklahoma it still flies to area schools and air shows.

[@B126USMC]

When I was a Marine grunt in "Nam in 68-69 ; this was the chopper we used . I think it had a crew of 3-4. Carried about 4 of us combat Marines . We carried a lot of gear back then ; all the canteens of water you could put on your cartridge belt and pack, all as many bandoliers of magazines you could handle for your '14 or "'16 , a pistol, and each person carried'60 machine-gun ammo, each person carried one 60 MM mortar round, claymore mines, gas mask , bayonet , "jack-off's", smoke, poncho , c-rats galore, trip flares, mosquito repellant , first aid kit , your flak jacket and helmet on ..... We carried so much gear and you weighted so much ; that guys would throw away ( shit-can ) personal stuff like watches , tooth brushes, and any ounce of something that was over-burdening ...... I don't how these choppers went through the hell that they did ..... But this was a darn good 'chopper And then soon came the replacement .. the '46 ... and then the "Jolly Green"....... Was on '34 that got hit with a few rounds..... but it made it .....Tough little chopper

[@HeLpEr4u083]

Thank you for serving.

[@maitlandmoore6426]

Thanks for surviving that for me , I need men you you today. Thanks for your service , without u there'd be no us , I just made that up. I think .

[@gliderp]

Thank you very much for your service sir.

[@JohnSmith-hd2tl]

Thank you for your service to our country.

[@nebojsa1976]

Why did you serve the country that has the most blood on its hands?

[@davidowen5583]

I have 1100 hours in these. Set a lot of air conditioners with them. Great machine.

[@Noneedforhandlesanymore]

David Owen r u in oregon ?

[@alphasiera1757]

Is this reliable enough?

[@dennislorden3142]

I wanna fly these how could I do that

[@LincolnSP150]

Some years back one went down at Milwaukee Lake Front while setting air conditioning unit in place. Lost tail rotor released cargo hook and tried to right the bird with forward flight. Crashed at waters edge ship was impailed by upright standing pipe. Pilot survived crash with apparent injuries, was quite the spectacle at the time.

[@Trendslife877]

It sounds like a turbocharged drag Camaro from 2007

[@shireguy1]

I had a lot of rides in this aircraft type when I was in the USMC in the early to mid 60's. Brought back a lot of memories. Thanks for posting!

[@rompn4x]

I grew up in the jet helicopter age. Never heard one of these in real life. What a sound!

[@osamabinladen824]

Me too

[@williamlowers1964]

It's a 9 cylinder radial reciprocating engine, likely an R-1820. Very reliable. If you opened the front cowling, where it says YL37, you would see it fits in kind of angled front to back, with the bottom cylinders toward the front.

[@Gian092]

You mean turbine helicopter age.

[@dennisgiddens202]

I loved flying in these babies in MAG 16 @ Marble Mountain in 1968. They were being phased out for Hueys and CH-46's They were a work horse for a long time. It makes feel young again to see one.

[@markhamersly1664]

If I'm not mistaken, this is along the "North Road" near Riverhead, NY, correct? I used to see one there when we went to Greenport to see my in-laws. US Army aviator

[@JohnSokko]

It has a 9 cylinder radial engine. Very cool stuff. Similar engine to what is used in many other aircraft, and a version of the Sherman Tank.

[@simonvance8054]

Wasn't too familiar with these Sikorskys. Damn did I get a surprise to hear the piston engine fire up instead of a turbine!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

It's the same Wright Cyclone radial which powers among others, the DC-3 and the B-17 Bomber

[@kevvywevvywoo]

expecting it to sound like a Wessex? !!

[@rogertycholiz2218]

They were all manufactured with the big round engines before turbines. Bell converted quite a few to turbines.

[@nathanreid2974]

i agree, i think this is 1 of a few piston aircraft

[@gertraba4484]

@@rogertycholiz2218 SCREAMING MIMI from RIPTIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ovalwingnut]

Absolutely one of my favorite "old school" helicopters, bar none. I was amazed when I realized (discovered) that a sweet, BIG radial engine was front & center (we didn't have the internet back then:). The view from the "top" must be spectacular. Thank you for sharing!

[@aaronreichler2570]

Sounds like an old pickup truck

[@wcresponder]

It is an old pick up. Ha ha ha get it?

[@JeansZi]

Yea, sound likes 80s or early 90s V8

[@jaxonrowsell2874]

It does doesn't it

[@jasoncole665]

The ol shift to lol

[@henrys.6864]

Sounds like a 40's flat head Ford V8!

[@quillmaurer6563]

I think we can stop worrying about what our muscle/tuner/resto/other cool cars sound like, as they will never sound this amazing. The gold standard of exhaust noise has been set.

[@jsidaho1957]

You nailed it !

[@basingold3651]

I don't know mate, it sounds absolutely epic yes but I think you need to see some top fuel dragsters race. And I don't mean on tv, in person. Sitting in the grandstand seeing a past it's like being punched in the chest and other than clap of thunder from a very close lighting strike nothing is louder.

[@gen.vic_rattlehead]

Based on the look and sound, this helicopter still uses it's old radial engine! Amazing!

[@chuckfinley6156]

my first helo ride. I was yanked out of Santa Anita canyon by the Sierra Madre S/R team of the LASD in 1975 in one of these. thanks for the ride guys, it was a tough day.

[@alaskaboomer6143]

Raw power. I worked on and with these beasts for about 10 years in the nineties and still love the sound of the old 1820!

[@firepower7017]

scott thompson Bruh the 1820s still had hot air ballons and ships powered by sail and horses for transportation how the hell you get that year

[@firepower7017]

scott thompson and fhe first petrol car was the mercedes motorwagen made 1886 so if you look up 1820s cars you may think I lied but look at their fashion and homes

[@alaskaboomer6143]

Not a year. Engine model and size. Curtiss-Wright Cyclone 1820. 9 cylinder radial engine. Largest single row radial engine that was made. 1820 is cubic inches.

[@syzfilms]

.058 is when they lower the engine rpm and the internal roller clutch hooks up solid as the motor speeds back up. It is called marrying the needles. Awesome bird. I miss the old girls.

[@homefront3162]

One in every crowd

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

Homefront Come again?

[@heythere135]

@@fordxbgtfalcon I believe they are calling the OP a know if all. Please correct me if I'm wrong, homefront. They being said, I'm glad syzfilms explained that because I was wondering why they increased RPMs then suddenly dropped down idle, only to increase RPMs again. The more ya know 🤷‍♂️

[@user-ic1us5ms1x]

A sprag clutch

[@titan06]

My dad showed me this video probably when I was around four or five, and I still love it, I keep it in the back of my mind… I don’t know why

[@mk84ldb]

I flew in these for fence line patrol in Gtmo Bay Cuba in '69; yep, it sounds just like that; better in person when you are sitting in the doorway hanging your feet over the side. My particular pilot liked to auto gyro down from altitude when we were near the runway. First time he did that I had to change my shorts. Love the radial engines. After he engages the rotor, the first few revs makes it feel like you are in an unbalanced spin cycle inside a washing machine. Smoothes out in a few seconds

[@c.c.fielder5432]

So fine.... remember it so well. Thanks for posting.

[@EdWhisenantAviation]

Great video & awesome helicopter you don't see many of these around & still flying, very nice!

[@09beegee]

A number 1 Helo. The radial engine in front could absorb a lot of rounds and protect everyone inside. No downside to this ship.

[@marlintubbs6783]

I like that grimace it has on the cowl. It looks like it's wincing while its trying to start up.

[@brianjones3733]

thanks for posting. great vid.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

These were very good and reliable helicopters!

[@pooch034]

I have flown that particular helicopter when I was in HMM 362. You should hear 20 of them starting.

[@richarddegen6184]

HMM 362 1966-67 Ky Ha, LPD's, Phu Bai USMC

[@johnmance6031]

Love the sound of that 1820 roaring to life! Music to my ears!!

[@trains4one]

Nothing like the sound of a radial starting or running no matter what aircraft it is in.

[@axedaddyx]

Nice Bird...Super Radial Engine Sound, I used to hear these Birds start up nearly every morning when the service 1965-67, always loved hearing that bumpy idle. These were the Birds I flew in first, soon after it was all Hueys ! Lots of Huey Ridin !

[@douglaslett7504]

Sounds like my dad's old Chevy pickup in early 1960s trying to start and run. Great memories ! L.O.L.

[@wolfdiver7169]

Gentleman start your engine. I grow up with this sound and I love it!

[@petrpan5790]

i was probably listening 20 times, this sound is just unbelieveable

[@stupullenchannel3525]

My Dad ( bless his soul) worked on these in the Marines. Pre Huey days.

[@lorenzodunn3226]

Excellent film footage and sound.

[@neweracarz8526]

Sounds awesome

[@Zpe3ddyGonzalexx]

1:03 sounded like he put it in 2nd gear

[@Rainhill1829]

Dang that sounds good.

[@ZXLNT]

Love the sound of it idling,

[@DwarfTossify]

The exhaust note @ 0:25 is awesome

[@fargknob]

Thanks for the memory..........just like I remembered her.

[@johnthompson6550]

Great machine,,,,,,,,got to fly one at 16 years old from North Carolina to Alabama,,,,,,,,,,, the world became smaller........thank you Captain J. Tipon

[@daywalker750]

OMG that sounds good... great video!

[@waynec369]

They sound like an old combine with a face that only a mother could love.

[@bamaslamma1003]

Best radial startup on KZbin! Epic Win!

[@motorcopjoe]

Sounds friggin awesome

[@gordonemoore]

I flew in 2dMAW 34s at Lejeune in '65-'66. Thanks for the memory.

[@HowieMurray]

Wicked vid... thanks for posting. Love the round motor sound!!

[@ryanharris5703]

So much power behind that old radial

[@TheGeno3000]

Hella-cool. Young guys like me never get to see stuff like this. Thanks for sharing.

[@douglaslett7504]

Thanks for caring !

[@douwethaman]

holy shit, that must be the most awesome engine sound ever!

[@antikoerper256]

that sounds intimidatingly awesome

[@7822welshsteam]

What a great noise!

[@BlueSky-qv7cd]

A friend of mine maintained these in Vietnam, he said when the Huey first came out they tried to sling load a ground artillery cannon with the Huey and it wouldn't pick it up, they then hooked it to the Sikorsky, the Wright engine snorted and spit a little but it picked it up and flew away.

[@stephenpersic3331]

John doe huey carried a lot of loads in nam you idiot

[@BlueSky-qv7cd]

stephen persic Thats true but when they first started putting turbine engines in helicopters they would not haul what the old piston engine Sikorsky's would

[@stephenpersic3331]

John doe im sorry for saying idiot, but really, the huey was never designed for carrying heavy loads, you cant really compare the these helicopters, thats like comparing a cessna to a 747, my uncle flew the huey in viet nam, they were best at dropping six guys in full pack on the side of a hill, and some were even equipped with a small elevator , i dont know anything about these old piston engine birds , but im sure they could really haul

[@firepower7017]

stephen persic till the CH-47 came in and made carrying things easy

[@shovel20]

I love these. But If it stalls..........auto rotation. Turbine was better in the end.

[@anair70]

The clicking at the start sounded like the fuel pump on my old Austin A40.

[@HeliPadUSA]

I got to see the one at St. Louis operate for a while - big ol' gorgeous gal! Love these!! When I was a kid I watched one of these on that show Riptide.

[@HowieMurray]

@cuzzythewolf2 ahhhh..... beauty is in the eye of the beholder... no? I love them... worked on the turbine version of these aircraft in Canada for many years fighting forest fires and helilogging. Sikorsky sure knew how to build an aircraft. Thanks for the description of the startup. Despite working alongside a round motor version of the machine I never knew about the clutch arrangement. Very interesting. Nice post thanks!!

[@lorenzodunn3226]

Brings back memories.

[@isakjohansson7134]

Thats one beatiful helicopter

[@SludgeSlinger]

A piece of Marine history. Take good care of her. Thanks for posting. I flew in the Phrogs that replaced this fine bird. Alas, they are now history as well. All good things come to an end I guess...

[@JayJay1990fromwiehl]

HOLY SHIT.. I never heard a sound that beautiful...

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

You can always hear that distinct lugging sound when the clutch fully locks together.

[@jonkzak]

Remindes me of my old Dodge starting up and USMC dreams of old.

[@pir8hntr]

I flew in 34's at Santa Ana and in HMM-362 in Vietnam out of Phu Bai and off the USS OKINAWA. The gas turbines in the 46's I flew in afterwards just doesn't have quite the same magical sound.

[@nathanbliss4941]

Nice sound man

[@agcatdriver]

I've seen this one at the warbird fly-in at Ada, OK a couple of times. Very nice example of this particular Helo.

[@jameshardie9914]

We had a licrnsed built version of this in britain called the westland wessex, they used to operate in the raf and royal navy alongside the westland sea king but now are sadly retired, only one remains still airworthy today

[@jeroenjansen2709]

That sound oozes raw power!

[@themagicboy6548]

sounds so nice!

[@alexzingo6952]

Nice engine sound!

[@Elcaballos]

Súper like. I love this sound!!

[@dansutherland6815]

Love the radio engine awesome,,, plenty of tork

[@mortdk]

That R-1820 Wright engine sounds INCREDIBLE. Like a bad ass big block v-8

[@volkandemir1009]

Great engine sound.

[@siegfried4325]

i love this sound!

[@nanchomer1887]

Realmente hermosa carcacha, helicoptero con mucha historia, un gran veterano

[@himmler251]

sounds like an f4 corsair with that radial, beautiful

[@raydecatur9459]

Sounds like my old Dodge pickup. Love those round engines.

[@jgstargazer]

I was at Davis Monthan in 1978 and saw a pot-load of these things laying on their side in a pile. Alongside was a pile of rotors and engines that looked like a stack of meatballs. They also had a few Ch-37's

[@KB4QAA]

A real helicopter!

[@JohnCoffins]

i wish my el camino sounded that good lol

[@ReidCampbell1]

Hard to believe those things ever flew. They used that same radial in Sherman tanks during WWII. I operated Grumman AG-Cats in the Dominican Republic using the R-1340, same engine I think, what a monster to take care of.

[@GayGallois]

Wonderful!

[@jsidaho1957]

What a classic helicopter, UH-34 for life !

[@dferrari3215]

I loved this Chopper since I was a kid.

[@volo870]

Bless you!

[@oisiaa]

Interesting! I've never seen a radial engined helicopter start up before!

[@williamadkins6380]

I was an "A" gunner on one of these in 1968 with HMM-163

[@sy3the384]

thank you for your service

[@jakobc.2558]

Some people dont know but this is also a vietnam heli. Therefore playing fortunate son while flying is acceptable.

[@conradfung5537]

I remember this helicopter from the 80s tv show "Riptide", they called their pink helicopter "Mimi".

[@Rickster5176]

That's the way God intended helicopters to sound. 1525 Horsepower, Wright 1820 radial powerplant. I regret that in my career as a helicopter pilot I never got to fly one of these.

[@boxer1129]

It's amazing that some cars have this kind of horsepower these days...

[@crankygunreviews]

I love how they sounds like a Cammed big block Chevy when they start up

[@bionictrucker1]

THE ENGINE IS A RADIAL ENGINE MOUNTED IN THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER. THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE ENGINE IS MOUNTED AT AN UPWARD ANGLE, BETWEEN THE PILOT/CO-PILOT UNDER A CONSOLE IN THE COCKPIT, TO THE GEARBOX JUST BEHIND THE COCKPIT. WHAT A NICE CLASSIC SOUND.

[@Grumpy7783]

HOLY HELL that's awesome!

[@edpazikas8777]

I love this sound and this helikopter

[@gts9920]

How awesome does that thing sound?!

[@maxsparks5183]

Radial engines are wonderful. True workhorses.

[@Warcrazyness]

Well that was a fast startup

[@bonzo874]

that big radial , the sound of freedom !!

[@trevorwhitham6742]

Awesome

[@BeechKingAir350]

This makes a big block Chevy sound like a lawn mower.

[@Tjita1]

I just decided that's it's going to be my goal in life to fly one of these at some point.

[@agcatdriver]

These birds always remind me of a television show back in the 80's called "Rip Tide". It was a detective show and the two guys that starred in it had an old beat up PINK Sikorsky called the "Screaming Mimi".

[@GlennWheelerDrone]

How awesome is that.....

[@BCAD01]

Nothing like the sound of those radial engines starting up!