This OH-6 Has Been Grounded For Two Years! Plus a FLIR/Spotlight Tour

Рет қаралды 17,068

Күн бұрын

It's been almost two years since I last flew with the Harrison County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit, and their beautiful OH-6 has been grounded for the entire time. They need help finding a fuel cell (Part Number) 369A8102-5 to get it flying again. Plus Greg gives me a tour of the new FLIR/Spotlight system they recently installed on the OH-58.

Пікірлер: 102

@The_Sprinklez 4 ай бұрын

You had asked early in the video if the OH-6 had seen Vietnam service. Here's what I was able to find 😃: "7817 assigned to 219th Reconnaissance Airplane Company Headhunters 1967-May 1968. Assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders May 1968-Jul 1968. Assigned to B Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders Aug 1968-Jun 1969 Combat damage May 9, 1969 South Vietnam by small arms fire and force landed. Later recovered and repaired. Flying low level through Phan Rang Pass under orders from the flight leader and damaged when hit tree with chin bubble Jun 26, 1969 in South Vietnam. Assigned to 604th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support) Jul 1969. Assigned to B Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division Warlords May 1971-Dec 1971 Assigned to 245th Aviation Regiment. Registered N301SD to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Gulfport, Mississippi, Oct 5, 1993; current"

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

Wow!

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

Can you search 66-17817? It may be referred to that in some records.

@The_Sprinklez 4 ай бұрын

66-17817 comes back to an aircraft destroyed by an RPG in 1968: "17817 assigned to B Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders May 1968-Jun 1968 Assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders Jul 1968 Assigned to B Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment Ruthless Riders Aug 1968-Dec1968 Shot down Dec 30, 1968 in the area about half way between Bao Loc and Phan Thiet, South Vietnam by an RPG, crashed and destroyed."

@ronmoore5827 4 ай бұрын

I was an Army Huey crew chief 77-80. Fuel cell problems sucked. Hopefully they get that good looking helicopter back in the air.

@groningenparanormaal3642 4 ай бұрын

My first thought was contact HeavyD, my second was Good luck!

@donaldparlett7708 4 ай бұрын

I flew as an Aeroscout Observer for 6 years on Loach’s. The best bird out there. We called the OH-58 the ‘5.8 not quite a 6’. The OH-6 definitely performed so much better than the Kiowa. Miss those times,Scouts Out!!

@owen33333 4 ай бұрын

Hartwig Aircraft Fuelcell Repair can also supply you with custom made bladders for old helicopters or new homebuilts in which the original cells are not available. We can custom-build cells of any size and shape to your specifications

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

Sent them an email!

@owen33333 4 ай бұрын

@@CWLemoine I hope they can make one for you. Will be much better than old stock from decades ago.

@MeppyMan 4 ай бұрын

500 has always been my favourite helicopter I ever flew. Like a Ferrari in the sky. Almost had one take me out when I was doing circuits in the 300 when doing my PPL. That wasn’t so fun lol.

@johns8771 4 ай бұрын

Check with the Spartanburg County (SC) Sheriff's Office. They just transitioned from an OH-6 to the OH-58D. Can't speak to their stock of spare parts but it may be worth a try. Also, you might want to try the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SC SLED).

@theshawnmccown 4 ай бұрын

"Turn down for what?!" Now that song is in my head again.

@MillicentSquirrelHole 4 ай бұрын

Tell them Sheriff bros' to call Cleet. He resuscitated one that was..abandoned in Venezuela..an ex-Nicky Maduro bird, if you will, well, mebbe..and now being refurbed at Thoroughbred Aviation, Lexington, Kentucky

@PTRRanger951 4 ай бұрын

All they need to do is call Thoroughbred. One of their facilities may have one.

@lcamber 4 ай бұрын

I was scheduled to fly a week before it was grounded. But weather prevented that flight 😤

@ardyzink7928 4 ай бұрын

Just a thought, you may have already tried this. But, have you reached out to any Army Guard or Res outfits to see if any parts (fuel cell) have been kicked into the corner of some storage depots - or shops? I was always amazed at what we could find at Tobyhanna, PA Army Guard supply dump. I was ANG back then ... but they didn't care.

@level1804 4 ай бұрын

Find out the NSN and stick it in a global look up. 👍

@TheBrotherKane 4 ай бұрын

Hey C.W., brought back some memories at the end of the video. I bought my wedding bands in 1992 at that Dillard's. Someone else already mentioned it, but they need to get with Thoroughbred Aviation Services in Lexington, KY.

@james94582 4 ай бұрын

Certainly hope to see this old vet brought back to life... So hope to see a new bladder worked out

@jeffclark6469 4 ай бұрын

Maybe check with Hartwig Fuel Cell Repair out of Minneapolis?

@PrimarchX 4 ай бұрын

The Loach is an old bird. Glad to see she could serve as long as she has.

@PTRRanger951 4 ай бұрын

Veritable Aviation has one listed on their site, says its in stock, updated as of 05-05-2024. It's that part number with an NSN of 1560-00-943-0800. It says its for the OH6 and the cell is made by Agustawestland Inc. They also have others with that part number, some made by MD Helicopters as well. Also saying they are in stock. They list having over 1,600 in their stock and ready to ship.

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

I’ll try that!

@johnb7490 4 ай бұрын

That was so cool, thanks.

@ctguy1955 4 ай бұрын

I've been waiting for the Corsair F4u for 5 years. I have been diagnosed with brain lesions and a non-cancerous tumor, hope I live to be able to fly it

@pistonburner6448 4 ай бұрын

I like how even the SxS at the hangar has "SHERIFF" written on it! But I guess I'd do that too, if for no other reason than its effectiveness as a theft deterrent. I'm guessing it's not meant to catch bad guys on the apron...

@jbouza09 4 ай бұрын

AFR ENTERPRISES showing 1 DAVINCI aircraft showing 1 serviceable VERITRUE COMPINENTS, showing 2 new

@theredmonkey8280 4 ай бұрын

Hey I know that airport, I work inside the AOA as airfield ground maintenance I’ve seen that helicopter in the 900 hanger and wondered what was going on with it, always cool seeing the place you work and live on KZbin

@plnbuf1 4 ай бұрын

Floats and Fuel Cells inc. of Memphis, TN does great work. Not sure it they've done an OH-6, but probably have done an MD-500. Might be Major alteration/repair time......

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

I called them. They could only repair it if it hadn’t been cracked. They can’t help unfortunately.

@BobSmith-mu5kg 4 ай бұрын

Wow. Cool stuff man. Wish I knew somebody to help with that bladder.

@sachmo0196 4 ай бұрын

Periodic maint/slep...Missed it! To bad, the OH-6 is one bad girl. Take care of her and she will take care of you!, remember...you haul your fam. Dont piss her off! She has babies on-board.

@kevintaylor791 4 ай бұрын

Wow, all those color changing lights on a police helicopter... With that, you COULD break up parties, or be the best part of a party!!!!

@bullhornzz 4 ай бұрын

Contact Cleetus McFarland, he's currently restoring a SUPER sketchy 500 he bought in Venezuela, I think he's using a place called Thoroughbred aviation in Kentucky, they specialize in Hughes 500sn

@Andrew-13579 4 ай бұрын

Besides that, Cleetus is a warbird fan and owns a racetrack and just bought a grass-strip airport in Florida, east of Sarasota, 67FL. There’s a veteran A-4 pilot and former POW there. You might want to interview him. You might have some common interests there. Might be a place to get your stock car racing kicks …in a more casual environment, perhaps. 👍

@Delatta1961 4 ай бұрын

You might want to also check with New Hanover, Columbus, and Brunswick Counties in NC. All have OH-58s in service and might be available to help, or at least vector you somewhere

@jbouza09 4 ай бұрын

For military surplus parts it’s usually better to use he NSN for better results. You also may want to call MD helicopters, there may be a “newer” PN equivalent they may have in stock

@clargay 4 ай бұрын

Check out FUEL SAFE in Redmond Oregon. They do aviation and custom fuel bladders. You will need to give them the old tank for its dimensions and fittings.

@dudehuh5491 4 ай бұрын

nothin worse then see a beautiful bird grounded

@samuraidriver4x4 4 ай бұрын

Maybe reach out to Mike Patey, he might have some ideas? Shame it's just sitting there.

@BobSmith-mu5kg 4 ай бұрын

My FB rotor network has been engaged. I hope it leads to something.

@pistonburner6448 4 ай бұрын

I hope you guys can transition to another platform soon, FB being such an evil and criminal company...

@c1ph3rpunk 4 ай бұрын

Think I found my next band name, Epic Rotor Network.

@gregorymaupin6388 4 ай бұрын

Go fly with Cleetus McFarland and Diesel Dave!

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

That would be awesome!

@oliverlarsen6768 4 ай бұрын

@@CWLemoine i asked one of the admins in Cleetus's facebook group about this video and im pretty sure you have a good chance of getting through there! Worth a shot at least. My comments seem to dissappear so i dont know whats going on with that. The group has 170k members and a lot of them are helicopter guys i have seen so somebody oughta know someone!

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@oliverlarsen6768 4 ай бұрын

@@CWLemoine Im sure you have already reached out to Thoroughbred Aviation?

@rrrak86 4 ай бұрын

Have them contact Brown Helicopter in Pensacola, FL. It is possible that they have a cell tucked away somewhere.

@jlo7770 11 күн бұрын

This might be really wild but cant you contact md? I know theres still a few of those oh-6 airworthy and even the md500d? It seems wild that they wouldnt be able to replace a fuel cell in a multi million dollar helicopter.. that almost seems really bad for business.. or contact goodyear since if i caught it correctly the cell was stamped goodyear. Or ffcfuelcells? Or is this a situation where the department wants a free cell and thats the hiccup? Maybe look into the japanese manufacturer that got the license for the oh-6? Someone has the mold somewhere.

@chrishoyt3032 4 ай бұрын

Have you guys checked with thoroughbred aviation to see if they can track down that part for you guys?

@jbouza09 4 ай бұрын

Check Floats and Fuel cells, they should be able to build a new tank from the components.

@joshdenton611 4 ай бұрын

As popular as the flying egg was back in the day, you'd think a fuel cell or fitting could easily be cannibalized off of a similar aircraft sitting in an aircraft graveyard somewhere. Davis Monthan or some place similar.🤔

@tomeickhorst6787 4 ай бұрын

Check with Thoroughbred Aviation

@R1j0hn 4 ай бұрын

Contact Thoroughbred Aviation ❓

@level1804 4 ай бұрын

If you could find the NSN of the bladder and get a friendly Air Force stores person to do a “global look up” of said NSN, it might throw up an option.

@PTRRanger951 4 ай бұрын

It maybe 1560-00-943-0800 (1560009430800). That part number comes back to that with a fuel cell for the OH6, and made by Agustawestland Inc.

@bgsumo40 4 ай бұрын

Thoroughbred Aviation

@Pablo-sr5bx 4 ай бұрын

Missed opportunity to yell "Enhance", while testing the zoom.

@Karibanu 4 ай бұрын

Next up, Mover flying a DCS helicopter in a real helicopter ( OH-58 can't be too far now, eh? ) - how powerful is that tablet? :p Thanks for the tour! was wondering what was going on, you did a whole series of vids with them & then it all just went cold. That OH-6 has seen some things...

@geraldhoag5548 3 ай бұрын

You're not thinking of going o he "DARK SIDE"?

@Beth-ie 4 ай бұрын

I don't know, man. I've flown in them a handful of times - and it was phenomenal. But now that I've seen one up close and paid attention? Um - no more copters for me. (Looks like you could make a better one out of Legos and condoms😉😂.)

@BlackEpyon 4 ай бұрын

I am not a pilot. Shall I assume the reason the fuel "tank" is a bladder is to allow it to expand and contract with altitude and temperature without leaking?

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

It’s self sealing for damage in combat.

@BlackEpyon 4 ай бұрын

@@CWLemoine Makes sense. Although, that feature seems to have failed if it's now leaking.

@cup_and_cone 4 ай бұрын

@@BlackEpyon They're self-healing in the sense that it will not rapidly pour out and lead to low fuel, but they still slowly weep where it was punctured.

@josephschmoe3796 4 ай бұрын

My former employer recently replaced 2 MD500Es with AB125s. One of the 500s has 9000hrs, the other 16000. The engines, oddly, are higher time. I got to fly in them occasionally, they were great helicopters - especially when new. Both are up on an auction page, we'll see what they bring.

@ryanelliott6971 4 ай бұрын

What about thoroughbred aviation?

@Fox3Hammy 4 ай бұрын

They have the technology, now we just need tomcats

@JanNovak-pg8oe 4 ай бұрын

Teamviewer client on the helicopter's computer. Oh, god 😀 Hopefully this thing is so old there is no fly-by-wire or CAN-bus like stuff.

@LBGUKRWP 4 ай бұрын

In all seriousness try and get in touch with Dave Sparks if anyone can find one it’s him or he will know someone I’m sure

@PrimarchX 4 ай бұрын

I see they have a Trakka in da Choppa!

@dwbowhunterable 4 ай бұрын

Mike Patey, bet he can build you one.

@LEAD-DISPENSER 4 ай бұрын

i would literally just throw a drag car fuel cell in the back seat an be done with it lol

@irgski 4 ай бұрын

…amazing what you can do on a limitless budget…

@CWLemoine 4 ай бұрын

Who has a limitless budget?

@DonLafontaine62 4 ай бұрын

Lol. If they had a limitless budget they wouldn't be asking for our help.

@michaelwindsor1328 4 ай бұрын

Get rid of of it and get a 500D or E

@justplinkin4809 4 ай бұрын

Get some JBWeld, it’ll be fine…….

@briancooper2112 4 ай бұрын

MD helicopters won't help?

@briancooper2112 4 ай бұрын

Boneyard in Tucson?

@sachmo0196 4 ай бұрын

Too much going on, on the sticks. Left side select (stick to screen). Botton up/down/select.

@dudehuh5491 4 ай бұрын

usta work on downlink when microwave now its all bonded cellular

@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 4 ай бұрын

I HATE touchscreen interfaces on cars, planes, helicopters, etc.

@playtime5234 4 ай бұрын

Get some billionaire to donate

@jameslooker4791 4 ай бұрын

MD helicopter is a mess. They probably are headed toward a buy out by a Prime Defense Contractor.

@PTRRanger951 4 ай бұрын

Not the current company. Things have changed in the last couple years since they were bought out and new admin came in. Completely different company than what it was.