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121st AVN Association
Volume Number 3 =
Issue Number 3 Date 6
Welcome
Fall is= here! The heat of summer is behind us, and we wake up to delightfully cool mornin= gs for a change. If I recall correctly, this is about the time that Viet Nam cooled down, and we would be wearing everything that we could find to stay warm. We hope that you have h= ad an enjoyable summer, and the holidays ahead will be joyous for you. We have a story from Bob Greene in= this issue about hydraulic failure. As you who flew the early UH-1D’s know, the hydraulic system was a major source of problems. Some of u= s flew without the panel over the front of the transmission well, so that we could monitor and access the hydraulic reservoir. I was very glad when the modificat= ion was made to 663, which added a large reservoir on top of the helicopter that held enough fluid to complete a day’s missions without worrying about running out of fluid. Which reminds = me of another story…. =
I can r= ecall several modifications that were preformed at Soc Trang on our Hueys. One was the Hydraulic Reservoir; another was the change to the Electrical system th= at replaced the single intercom and radio control panel in the center of the passenger compartment with a control panel for the crewchief and a separate= one for the gunner. If anyone remembers any other modifications that were made = to our helicopters, please let us know. I don’t think that I worked on anything except D models, so I = am completely ignorant about what may have been done to our B’s.
Don Jackson
Chairman’s
Corner
. We had planned to give two scholar= ship awards this year, and coincidently, we received only two applications. Both were excellent candidates and= both would have been well qualified to receive the awards. However, one did not provide a let= ter of acceptance as a full-time student from a college, even after I had requeste= d it twice. This resulted in that applicant being disqualified and only one award of $500.00 was given. The recipient was Sarah Olson, granddaughter of Phil Olson. = Both applicants were encouraged to apply again next year.
I have started some grou= ndwork on a memorial stone for our people to be placed in the Memorial Park at Fort Rucker. Being a neophyte in t= his endeavor, it’s been a slow process.&= nbsp; I made a trip back to Rucker in late September to get photos and measurements of some of the monuments already there and I also visited the monument company in Dothan that erected the 162nd AHC stone for = the 2008 reunion. We have nothing= firm yet with respect to design or approximate cost and will keep all informed as progress occurs. Meanwhile, it’s not too early to start raising funds for this purpose. Hope all are well.
Best regards,
John
Secretary’s
Report
Update on the Association's
Incorporation
At the meeting held in May (2010), it was mentioned that the Associat=
ion
would be changing the location of our incorporation. When the 1=
21
Avn Association began, the original four members/trustees decided to
incorporate in Missouri. The reason for this was threefold: First of all, we
had the required Missouri resident (at the time I lived in Missouri) to act=
as
the agent for the corporation; second, it was simple to apply (a one page
form); and third, it was inexpensive.
As life and times change, as they often do, I had decided to move to
Florida, looking forward to no more miserable St. Louis winters. The
Association's Board of Trustees also held a meeting during the reunion in F=
ort
Rucker. At that time what to do about our incorporation was discussed. It w=
as
decided to research the best way to accomplish re-incorporating and act
accordingly. After researching several possible states, the Board voted to
reincorporate in Florida, and appointed me, as Secretary, to remain as the
registered agent for the association.
Reincorporating in Florida was a little more complicated, but not too
bad. It was more difficult to get them to understand that this is not a new
association, but an existing entity. Once that was accomplished it was smoo=
th
flying. As of August 25th we are now officially a Florida Non Profit
Corporation.
Now, remember earlier, I mentioned that incorporating in Missouri was
simple? Well, UN-incorporating was not quite as easy. Since our annual fili=
ng
was due this past August, I thought it would be just a simple task of notif=
ying
the Mo. Secretary of State that we would not be renewing our corporate stat=
us.
I checked and found it would, of course, require a form (this time it was a=
bout
two and a half pages). Ok, not a problem, I can handle that. But the form w=
as
rejected, because I had not also notified the State's Attorney General. Now=
here
was that mentioned in the instructions from the Secretary of State, but we =
are
talking about dealing with government here… So, upon filling out yet
another form for the attorney general and resubmitting the forms to the
Secretary of State, our corporation was officially dissolved in Missouri on
September 2, 2010.
While all this sounds simple and easy, it was not very fast. All the
forms I mention had to be submitted by regular mail. Responses would take o=
ne
or two weeks, so in all, it was about a six weeks process to dissolve our
Missouri Corporation and reincorporate in Florida.
Of course, none of this had an effect on our 501(c)19
IRS status as a Non Profit War Veterans Organization. As for you, as a member, nothing h=
as
changed, except the official location of our association.
That is all the news from the secretary's office (aka = World HQ), which is just a desk and computer. Hope everyone had a great summer. I wish everyone a Happy Veteran's Day, and while enjoying your barbeque and b= eer, raise toast all your fellow Vets, past, present = and future.
John Schmied, Secretary
Membership/Treasurer’s
Report
&nbs=
p; The weeks and months following reunions=
is a
slower period of activity in this quarter.=
Not totally without things to do or matters to handle. Some important=
events
to report, however.
&=
nbsp; The
Fort Rucker reunion was successful by any measure. Well attended and enjoyed by all.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> It also resulted in good PX sales =
and
substantial funds realized for scholarship funding for a second year for a
deserving relative of an Association member. It is quite satisfying to write th=
ose
checks as I consider it one of the most important projects we undertake.
&=
nbsp; Within
the last few weeks the Association contracted with a hotel in Colorado Spri=
ngs,
CO, which will house the next reunion in mid-June 2011. I believe those who attend will en=
joy
the facility and the events. =
The
hotel is entirely refurnishing the building this fall. Essentially we’ll have a bra=
nd new
hotel to enjoy. Easily access=
ible
from the Colorado Springs airport, it is complete with its own restaurant and
convention facility. The pack=
age
negotiated includes a hospitality room and full breakfasts (not continental)
for the days we are there. The
Saturday night dinner will be hosted at the hotel and will include a cash b=
ar
cocktail hour and fine menu. =
Plans
for the Friday night event and Saturday activities are presently in the
planning stages. When suffici=
ent
information on the reunion is put together a flyer will be in the mail to a=
ll folks
we have current mailing addresses for.&nbs=
p;
If you have a buddy who has moved recently, please contact me regard=
ing
the new address so we can get the flyer to him. If you have plans to relocate at a=
ny
time, please let the Association know.&n=
bsp;
Any contact change (email, mailing address, cell phone or landline)
should be forwarded. If you m=
ove it is
sometimes quite difficult to track =
you to
your new locations. In most cases I can still find you=
r new
AO but sometimes we are not successful and we lose contact.
&=
nbsp; At
this juncture there is no plan to provide a PX at this coming reunion. Primary reason for this is the cos=
t of transporting
items back and forth to the reunion.
If you are desirous of obtaining any of the existing PX items, see
Association web site. Please =
order
them well ahead of time so you can show your colors at the reunion.
&= nbsp; A clerical note here.= Only paid up members of the Association will receive copies of the f= ine Tiger Gazette. Those folks who support the organization are entitled to the benefits. Nuff said!
Historian’s Report
Day before yesterday I received by US Mail a box of pi= ctures and slides from Ernie Miller. This is really going to work out my scanner.&nb= sp; Also, since he sent me about 150 slides, I’m going to be able = to break out my slide scanner which I have had for some time but, not having h= ad any slides to scan, have not as yet put together. The pictures are particularly interesting for me because Ernie and I were at Soc Trang at the same time.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> My goal is to complete the scannin= g just before our next reunion so I can get them back to Ernie. Thanks, Ernie!
I continue to urge you to send me your photos, slides,= and copies of all types of orders covering the time you were at Soc Trang. I am still contemplating the best = means by which I can make the total collection available to all. The file or photo album section of= the Yahoo Group comes to mind, but if anyone has a better suggestion, please le= t me know.
I’m going to attempt to put together another sto= ry for the next release of the Tiger Gazette.&nbs= p; I hope some of you have taken my suggestion and have sent some to Do= n, so that they can be published.
That’s about it for this Gazette release. I hope you are all well and are considering sending me some of the materials you have before it’s too late and we’re all ascending (hopefully) on our final takeoff.
Bob
Ft Rucker Changes
Brig Gen Anthony G Crutchf=
ield is
the new Army Aviation Branch Chief, and commander the Army Aviation Center =
of
Excellence, and Fort Rucker. He replaces Maj Gen James O Barclay, who has h=
eld
these positions since July 2008.
In June, Lt Col Darren V C=
ox,
replaced Lt Col Shawn T Prickett, as commander of the 1st Battalion,
13th Aviation Regiment, Lt Col Prickett was our host for the 2010 reun=
ion.
John Kennedy, Norm Laumyer=
, and
Harry Harper, attended the Cox-Prickett change of command ceremony.
2011 Reunion=
plans:
The 2011 Reunion=
will
be in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I
am working to make this one memorable for all of the attendees. I do have some needs though to have
everything work out properly. If
you are planning to attend next June, please respond accordingly.
I am trying to s=
et up
a tour through the old NORAD facility.&nbs=
p;
According to the Air Force there are some requirements for the tour.=
First, there must be a minimum of =
15
persons and a maximum of 30 persons on the tour. So far there are THREE signed up -=
and
that includes my wife and me.
Second, all attendees must pass a security check, which means you ne=
ed
to get your full name, address, and SSN, for all attendees, to me no later =
than
December 30th so I can submit it to the Air Force by mid-January.
For
those NOT going on the NORAD tour, there some other ideas for additional tr=
ips. The Garden of the Gods is spectacu=
lar
and the Air Force Academy is also a great place to visit. We can do these while the NORAD tr=
ip is
going on, or instead of.
I would love for=
as
many as possible of you to be able to have a special Friday night
dinner/show. The Flying W Ran=
ch has
a wonderful dinner/show. If y=
ou
have ever been to a Chuck Wagon Dinner and Show - - this one is the grandda=
ddy
of them all - - they all started with this one in Colorado Springs. There is even a fun western villag=
e to
stroll through before the dinner.
Dinner will cost $20.00 per person.=
The show afterwards is worth the money all by itself so it is a great
deal and a lot of fun. Please=
let
me know if you'd like to attend this so I can tell them how many to expect =
and
reserve the seats.
If any of you ha=
ve any
requests, or perhaps some great ideas, let me know and I'll see what can be
done. I hope to see MANY of y=
ou
next June here in Colorado. philo590=
7@gmail.com
Phil Olson
OH, OH! NO HYDRAULICS!!
On one o= ccasion while I was flying with the Soc Trang Tigers just southeast of My Tho, our = crew chief came on the intercom and said, “It looks as if we are losing hydraulic fluid from our reservoir.”= We were in an early model of the UH-1D, which had a hydraulic system that was prone to leaking. Th= ere was a small window in the rear bulkhead, which permitted viewing the hydrau= lic reservoir fluid level indicator, which was a cylindrical, color-coded rod t= hat that pushed up out of the reservoir. It was fondly known as the “donkey dick”. As fluid leaked out of the system,= the donkey dick would protrude further up revealing first the color green then yellow, and finally red. Under normal, peacetime conditions, when yellow appeared it was time to get on the ground. However, the area aro= und the Mekong River was far from peacetime conditions so landing was not a good option. Fortunately, our crew= chief was on the ball (as were most of our guys) and gave us a heads-up that the hydraulics system was failing.
It was a beautiful day but with a brisk wind coming ou= t of the Northeast. The flight wit= h a nice tail wind looked like it was going to take less than 30 minutes, so I decided to attempt to get to Soc Trang.&nb= sp; Most helicopters of any size cannot be flown without hydraulic boost. The H-34 actually had = two completely separate hydraulic systems: one driven by the engine (secondary)= and one driven by the main transmission (primary). So in the event of an engine failu= re, the transmission would continue to provide full hydraulic power. The UH-1 h= ad only one hydraulic system and its hydraulic pump was driven by the transmission. However, I reme= mbered studying the hydraulic system of the UH-1 and had learned that there was a mechanism built into each hydraulic servo cylinder called the irreversible value. When the hydraulic pre= ssure dropped to 1,000 psi a valve in the mechanism would close and trap that pressure. This would provide = some ability to control the aircraft. In training instructors would demonstrate hydraulic failure by turning off the hydraulic control switch. This would give their students the experience of flying with only the pressure trapped in the irreversible valves. As long as you maintained good forward speed and didn’t try to= do anything abruptly, control could be maintained. I wouldn’t have wanted to try hovering with the hydraulics off.
But enough of this technical crap! As I was approaching the final bra=
nch of
the Mekong River, I could clearly see the runway at Soc Trang. I called the tower and told them I=
was
10 miles northeast for landing and had experienced hydraulic failure. They cleared me to land on runway =
04
since there was a northeasterly wind of around ten knots. However, the controls were really
getting stiff and I didn’t like the idea of making a one-eighty degree
turn since I was soon to be on a straight in for runway 22. So I contacted the tower and decla=
red an
emergency straight in for 22. As we
approached on short final it took both of us to keep the damn thing on
track. It was clear that a ru=
nning
landing was in order. With a =
steady
tail wind it was beginning to look like we were going to land like a C-5.
Bob Greene
Whikey Numba 1
Stop
me if you’ve heard this before.
Bob’s story about the hydraulics reminds me of an incident that
occurred soon after I left the hangar to become a crewchief. We frequently had to replenish the=
hydraulic
fluid while on operations. In=
old
663, this usually had to be done every time we landed. The Army issued us MIL-5056 (red
hydraulic fluid that smelled like a sweaty horse) in quart cans. One poked two holes in the can, and
poured the fluid into what ever needed it.=
Bell helicopter very thoughtfully provided a hole about ¼R=
21;
in diameter in the top of the hydraulic reservoir, which they surrounded wi=
th
parts of the helicopter. Pour=
ing
from the can to this hole was a challenge.=
Thus, I started transferring the hydraulic fluid to a Jack Daniels
bottle, whose long neck allowed me to pour the fluid into the hole with much
less spillage. I was re-filli=
ng the
reservoir at a stage field one afternoon, when a Vietnamese walked up. He spoke about as much English as =
I did
Vietnamese, but he knew a whiskey bottle when he saw one. His first words to me were “=
Whikey
Numba 1!” Not catching =
on
real fast, I agreed with him that Whikey was indeed Number 1. Then he held out an empty
C-ration can=
and
pointed to the bottle. I poin=
ted to
the bottle and to my mouth and said “Number 10!” He laughed and said “Numba
1!” I escalated to R=
20;Ba
Moui Lam!” It soon became evident that he thought I was just being st=
ingy
and did not want to share my whiskey, so I poured his can full. When he started to take a drink, I
pushed his hand away from his mouth and said “Number Ten!” He laughed at me and walked off si=
pping
on his drink, happy as a clam. I
suppose that this took care of any internal parasites that he may have had.=
I hope that =
he
suffered no permanent harm.
Don Jackson<= o:p>
Holiday Memories
We are very thankful for the frien=
dships
that we have formed, and for being able to reconnect with the friends of our
youth. We all spent at least =
one
holiday season in Viet Nam. I=
have
written previously about the Christmas party that we had in 1967. It was something that brightened o=
ur
days and brought us closer together.
If you have any memories of a Thanksgiving or
Christmas past that you would care to share, please send them to me.=
I
will print them in a future issue of the Gazette.
Don
Contact Us:
Letters to the editor should = be sent to:
Donald Jackson
217 Wilderness Cove Lane
Georgetown, Ky. 40324
Email: Tiger129ts@roadrunner.com
Your Board of Trustees is:
John Kennedy, Chairman =
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sp;
Donald Jackson, Vice Chairman
Kennedyj101@mchsi.com =
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Tiger129ts@roadrunner.c=
om =
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sp; =
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John Schmied, Secretary
johndschmied@yahoo.com =
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Tigerlead67@aol.com =
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sp; =
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Bob Greene, Historian =
&nb=
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Norm Laumeyer =
&nb=
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bojogreene@verizon.ne=
t =
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babsnnorm@aol.com =
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Lawrence Hays