Flatiron!-New video added 11-13-2011

[BrittMac]

Ray, I can't believe that was the first active flying Huey you had seen. That is a heck of a bird to start with lol! I hope you get another ride with the AAHF soon.

I can say that I sure do miss those fields full of Hueys at Rucker (I know I have said that before, but it still holds true).

Love seeing those Huey pics.

Incidently, I just got back from a weekend down in Gulf Shores for my wife's birthday weekend. She was kind enough to let me stop in at Battleship Park on the way back up to the 'Ham(it was freaking HOT). Got to see the Huey down there, and it was nice. It was also nice to see that they have made alot of headway in getting airframes fixed since the storm surge got them oh so long ago. Still sad to see the bent planes that are left though.

Feel free to throw some more Flatiron pics up. I grew up watching them fly. First around Rucker, then later in life I got to see them come into Flowers Hospital and SAMC with patients.

As always, it is great to see what pics you throw at us.

Brandon

[salvador001]

When my country was in civil war back in the 80s, we received big quantities of UH-1Hs, and i remember seeing a photo of a couple of flat iron Hs being downloaded from the C-141, because the threat was in the corner, they flew a couple of times with the flat iron paint sheme, but the US markings were covered with a paint line. I have the photos somewhere, i will try to search them and post them.

Rod.

Edited August 16, 2010 by salvador001

[Tank]

Ryan,

An excellent question but one which I can't answer with certainty. I have a feeling that 271 was left in it's white scheme for nostalgic reasons. The folks I spoke to didn't seem to think there would be a white 72, but you never know. It would be nice to have a white bird out there. By the way, another question I have been asked and that I have asked myself is "why is it called Flat Iron?" Here's the best explanation I have found thus far:

"The term Flatiron actually refers to the flat iron that settlers used to iron their clothes. While one was ironing, the other was off in a nearby stove ready to use when the first one cooled down. The air ambulance started out the same way. When one was in the air, another was waiting and ready go."

There are several current and former Flat Iron crewmen that may read this so feel free to chime in if I have anything wrong.

I thought this would also be an excellent chance to look back at some historical images of Flat Iron. I'm not sure of the exact date of it's creation, but i know it has been in existence since at least some time in the 60's and the earliest photos I have are of H-34s. Now THAT would be cool to see! just holler if you want to see more pics from the "old days"

Ray

Thanks Ray. Any more H-34 pics?

[rotorwash]

Thanks Ray. Any more H-34 pics?

Ryan,

I might have a few more B)

Ray

Edited August 17, 2010 by rotorwash

[Retired GunPilot]

Hey, have you posted that 72 intrustment panel poster I gave you? I thought I would check in tonight and see. :-) BTW, love the images.

Charlie

Edited August 17, 2010 by Retired GunPilot

[rotorwash]

Hey, have you posted that 72 intrustment panel poster I gave you? I thought I would check in tonight and see. :-) BTW, love the images.

Charlie

Charlie

I was just editing in Photoshop as you were making your post. It'll be up in few minutes.

Ray

[rotorwash]

Charlie

I was just editing in Photoshop as you were making your post. It'll be up in few minutes.

Ray

Here ya Go, Charlie. I'll let you tell them which radio is missing. I think the res of these pics is good enough for anyone who would like to use them as a basis for decals, especially in 1/72 or 1/48. You guys can thank Charlie for supplying these.

Ray

Here's the real deal just for comparison:

[Tank]

Thanks Ray for the H-34 and 72 pics.

[Loach Driver]

Ray, thanks for the photos of the H-34s. I never knew they had all-white ones in the medevac and fire-fighting role. Amazing. Please keep the good stuff coming.

LD.

[Retired GunPilot]

Thanks Ray, those are just beautiful! I was just pushing your buttons because I was bored stting here in my hotel room.

Charlie

[cvrle]

Those white H-34 need to appear in decal form! Italeri's kit is a perfect match!

[Tank]

Ryan,

I might have a few more :D

Ray

Is it me or does it appear that some have a all red (at least underneath) stabs and some don't. With the ones with red stab, what is the top...white or red?

[Len Lundh]

Is it me or does it appear that some have a all red (at least underneath) stabs and some don't. With the ones with red stab, what is the top...white or red?

Judging by the second and fourth shots directly above, the entire stab would have been painted red if not left white.

Len

[stump]

Man an all white Huey does looks bad ***...My wife is a flight medic on a bell 407,I got about 300 photos of an EC-135,and EC-145..nice but its just not a Huey..Thanks for the photos..What is the best 48th scale UH-1V Huey,and where does one get the decals do do a White Flat Iron Huey,Thanks ...STUMP

[BrittMac]

Stump, you can get the decals from Fireball, www.fireballmodels.info. Joseph makes the decals in 72nd scale up to 32nd I think. I know 48th up to 32nd for sure.

As for the kit, the Italeri UH-1's seem to be the favorite for most people, but they are relatively hard to come by. People want a good sum for them. You can still find the ESCI UH-1 kit on Ebay, as well as the Italeri, and you should be able to find the ESCI kit for much less money than the Italeri kit.

Also, Fireball makes an upgrade for the Huey's, as well as the decals.

[rotorwash]

I just returned from a trip to Rucker and I think it is safe to say that the pics you see below is some of the last of a Huey sitting on the Flatiron flight line. She and her sisters are actually grounded due to a issue with the tail spar and the rivets used to attach it. Never mind that these Hueys have several thousand flight hours with no issues due to the tail spar. This bird will be going to the US Army Aviation Museum along with one other Flatiron Huey. The remaining one is getting a new tail spar to meet the new Army requirements and my understanding is she will be flown over Rucker for a final farewell ceremony and then possibly sent to Ft. Hood. A very sad day indeed. I am also including a few "bonus" pics as well that I thought you guys might enjoy.

Ray

[huey_crew_chief]

Thanks for the last Huey pics! I am so upset that I was not able to get down there. Those girls were such a major part of my life and I truly love them. So are the hueys going to the museum staying painted the same way? Do you know anything about the one going to Ft. Hood? So sad about this! Thanks again! Dave

[HeavyArty]

Very nice, but sad to see them go. What is the story on the two-tone gray camo USAF Huey below? Trainer (TH-1H) or OPFOR VisMod?

[rotorwash]

Thanks for the last Huey pics! I am so upset that I was not able to get down there. Those girls were such a major part of my life and I truly love them. So are the hueys going to the museum staying painted the same way? Do you know anything about the one going to Ft. Hood? So sad about this! Thanks again! Dave

Dave,

Regarding the Hueys going to the USAAM, one will be retained by the Museum and hung from the ceiling on permanent display. The color has yet to be determined, but I am lobbying for a white bird. Money is very very tight these days, however. The other bird will be traded to another museum for an original YUH-1D that still had the tail boom extension plug from when she was upgraded for the 48 ft 205 rotor. the disposition of the last bird is not set in stone as I understand it, but Ft. Hood is the rumored destination.

Gino,

the camo bird is a straight up UH-1H as you can see below. Left hand tail rotor, standard armored seats, and , as afar as I know, the old gauges. There are a mix of ex-Army UH-1H's and the new TH-1H's that the USAF uses as trainers. The TH-1H is upgraded to Huey II standards with a 212 tail boom and rotor system. They also have crash attenuating seats, MFD displays in the cockpit and a glide slope indicator on the UH-1N style nose. To the best of my knowledge, the camo bird is not an OPFOR aircraft but just a standard trainer. The irony of ironies is that the whop, whop, whop of the good old Huey will be around Ft. Rucker for years to come, just not in US Army colors. Apparently they are good enough to train F-22 pilots, but not sufficient for the medivac mission anymore. Here are a few more pics.

Ray

UH-1H's

TH-1H:

[HeavyArty]

Thanks Ray. The USAF UH-1H sure has an interesting paint scheme. I haven't seen any current AF birds painted that way. Good to know there will still be Huey's flapping around for sime time to come, even if they are flown by USAF Flyboys.

[salvador001]

Both the UH-1H and TH-1H are true beauties, but the original baby is the best.... i just love hueys..... BTW great pics Ray..

Rod.

[rotorwash]

Gino,

Glad to be of service and glad the Hueys will be around a while longer.

Rod,

I agree the originals will always be the best. Imagine a UH-1M with a new Huey II engine and wide chord right handed tail rotor. I'd pay money to see that!

Ray

[huey_crew_chief]

The sadest thing about the remaining flying Huey is it is going to Ft. Hood. I have heard that the Hueys go to Hoot to be flown ito phase and then they are done for. I guess there are a few left at white sands and thats it.

[Liberator24]

I miss home. Just heard my g-pa is not doin so well, so I might be going home for a few days that I dont want to be there for.

Ray, you have got to let me know if you find yourself down there again any time soon. For your spirit with the greatest group of guys flying over the wiregrass, I have got to get you a Bama Home Grown Meal!

My parents are very fond of the flat irons. My mom has made a lot of friends with the pilots that came in to the Antique Mall she worked at, and I think the whole area loves these guys! I love to stop and watch them fly over Dothan...makes me proud to see any of the pilots fly in South Bama, but the Flat Irons have a special spot cause of what they do.

I have to agree with the majority, there is nothing like those Hueys! Got to fly on the door, here in Titusville with the vets on the last visit. WHOOOWHEEEEE!! Great ride!

Thanks for the pics....

-Jim

[rotorwash]

I miss home. Just heard my g-pa is not doin so well, so I might be going home for a few days that I dont want to be there for.

Ray, you have got to let me know if you find yourself down there again any time soon. For your spirit with the greatest group of guys flying over the wiregrass, I have got to get you a Bama Home Grown Meal!

My parents are very fond of the flat irons. My mom has made a lot of friends with the pilots that came in to the Antique Mall she worked at, and I think the whole area loves these guys! I love to stop and watch them fly over Dothan...makes me proud to see any of the pilots fly in South Bama, but the Flat Irons have a special spot cause of what they do.

I have to agree with the majority, there is nothing like those Hueys! Got to fly on the door, here in Titusville with the vets on the last visit. WHOOOWHEEEEE!! Great ride!

Thanks for the pics....

-Jim

Jim,

Sorry to hear about your g-pa. I wish him well.

You need not worry about me getting a good home cooked Bama meal. I grew up on squirrels and fresh fish and my grandmother and great grandmother were the best cooks in the state. My dear wife ain't too shabby either, but she's trying to keep me healthy so I don't get all the finger lickin' fried food and butter laden dishes of my youth that much anymore. Thankfully here in Auburn we have a few restaurants that specialize in artery clogging cuisine.

Besides the pilots, I love talking to the Flatiron mechanics. Some of those guys worked on Alpha models! Very interesting guys as they have been around much longer than any of the current pilots. I had the pleasure of meeting the last Huey pilot trained at Ft. Rucker, who is a Flatiron pilot, as well as getting to photograph the last Flatiron Hueys. I consider both an honor.

Ray