A question about US ARMY VIP Helicopters ???

John, How about one of these?  Hope they help.

   Ray

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 Hi Gino and Ray ,

I forgot I also had built a Hasegawa VIP UH-1H Huey

I also have two sets of these VIP Decals from Hawkeye Models here in Australia .

So I've divided my VIP Helicopters into groups of three ,

#Presidential : Hasegawa UH-60A Blackhawk , Fujimi SH-3D Seaking and Italeri VH-71

#USMC : Fujimi VH-53E , Fujimi SH-3D and Hobbyboss CH-46E/F

#US. NAVY : Italeri VH-60H , Italeri VH-1N , Italeri VH-53D .

#US.ARMY : UH-60A Blackhawk , UH-1H Huey and ............

I was thinking about a UH-34A Choctaw but I don't know how to scratch-build those landing gear floats ??? . I do have a OH-6 cayuse in my stash , I never knew that little bird could be use as an VIP Helo .

Those are really great pic's Ray , I am very greatful for you taking the time to post and share them . The VIP Helicopter build is probably two months away from starting , I just would like to get everything sorted out first .

I think a UH-34A might be the way to go , I'll have to try and work something out for those wheel floats .

Thanks again guys ...           Kind regards John

John,

  You are most welcome.  the H-34 with the floats is in the Army Aviation Museum and I have pics of her, including a couple of interior shots.  I'll try to get those up for you tonight or tomorrow. Got a busy day ahead.  Good luck with this project!

    Ray

If you want to add an Army presidential helo, they did use the UH-34 (VH-34?) before they gave up flying the President to the USMC. The Pima air museum in Arizona has one used by LBJ.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Army/Sikorsky-VH-34A-Choctaw/0139613/M/

same Helo with fresh paint

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Army/Sikorsky-VH-34A-Choctaw/1159332/M/

Couple I took at Pima

By Chance, did you pick up the VH-60 resin set from Hawkeye too?  I've been thinking about getting it, just haven't seen/heard anything about it.

TIA,

Austin

arkhunter2002 wrote:

By Chance, did you pick up the VH-60 resin set from Hawkeye too?  I've been thinking about getting it, just haven't seen/heard anything about it.   TIA, Austin

I did get the VH-60 resin set , The resin parts are okay but the clear parts were a disappointment . I was going to do the same as my US.Army VIP Blackhawk and cut the Hasegawa kit cabin doors in half .

I'll post another pic of the Army Blackhawk from the starboard side .

                                                    John

The presidential VH-60 will look pretty much like the VIP Army Blackhawk but with the extra communication and sensors and the folded under boarding steps

                                                    John

I just realized I posted the same pic twice , sorry about that .

                                           Kind regards John

John,

  here's the promised VH-34 pics.  These are all of 64320 , a bird flown by Col. Bill Howell. First, some pics of her in the Army Aviation Museum:

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i  really need to take some more of her next time I'm at Rucker.  If your build is a month or two off, I'll be going back in March most likely. Anyway, here are some pics of her from Col Howell's photo collection:

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Obviously a later photo, but here is Col. Howell:

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Hope these help.

   Ray 

Aaronw wrote:

Out of curiosity does anyone know why the Army stopped flying the president? From what I've found the Army and USMC used to switch off until sometime in the 60's or early 70's. It seems like a fairly prestigious duty to hand off to another service lightly.

The Army and USMC shared the duty from 57-76.  The Army's Executive Flight Detachment used to fly from Ft. Belvoir, Va.  HMX-1, based in Quantico VA, still has the mission of rotary wing transport for the President and other select VIPs. 

Grandadjohn and Ray , thankyou for those wonderful pic's of the VIP VH-34 . I've copied all of them into the computer for future reference , the close-ups of the landing gear and floats are excellent .

Thanks again guys , I really appreciate all your help .

                                        Kind regards John .

Ray/ Thanks. I served as security for helicopter supportr mission 1958 to 1960. Traveled through Europe o Peace through understanding mission was in Paris 1960 for summit confrence when Gary Powers U2 plane was shot down. Canada for St. Lawrence Seaway dedication.  Kansasfor dedication of Eisenhgower librayy. Numerous trips to Georgia for his golf. Saw some familiar faces in photos M/S Dunn. SP/4 Mooers army security. Dont get me going. Enjoyed every minute even 24 hr security back at Davison Army Airfield. S/P4 John P. Krajceck, 521 Miulitary Police. Fortr Belvoir,Va.                                                                        Thanks , John

Nobody has mentioned it, and there are plenty of Marine VIP helos already mentioned.. The Academy CH-46 has a set of VIP markings included in the box.

President Ford deactivated the US Army Executive Flight Detachment in  July 1976 as a cost savings.

the Marine-Brat

Wow!! Another nine-year old thread brought back to life.

Marine-brat

President Ford deactivated the US Army Executive Flight Detachment in  July 1976 as a cost savings.

Yes, it was noted nine years ago that the US Army no longer flies presidential VIP transport.  The original post was about Army VIP helicopters though, which the army still has, just not for the president.

I apologize. I just signed in yesterday and saw the post.

MarineBrat

HeavyArty

Wow!! Another nine-year old thread brought back to life.

One of the better qualities about forums are the archives given the wealth of data shared. Glad to see more data added 9 years later. 

VIP ships are interesting. Surprised to see no one posted any US Army VIP Hueys such as those used by MAS or SHAPE. Here is 22514 with 1st Avn Det HQs USAEUR Command at Farnsborough in the 80s from my slide collection. (photographers are unknown)

And a better shot of the super cushy Naugahyde seating for the VIP PAX. The bare metal polished skid steps, end caps, and cross tube roots on the skids are of interest as well.

Far cry from this UH-1B in 1962 for a Major General that is pretty standard with the exception of the pennant and steps added to the skids.

And VH-34's! 

Hugh

The patch is for the MIlitary DIstrict of Washington.  I suspect based at Davison Army Airfield but not positive

Hugh

I think somebody is funning somebody on a VH-6!