Maj. Charles L. Kelley's Huey

rangerj

Member since
March 2003

Maj. Charles L. Kelley's Huey

Posted by rangerj on Sunday, January 4, 2004 7:30 PM

Can any of you helo lovers help me identify Maj. Kelley's Huey. I have one reference that indicates that he flew a UH-1 # 91682. I would like to identify the slick he went down in. I think he went down in July of 1964.

Maj. Kelley was the driving force behind the creation of the Medavac or "Dust-off" program in Viet Nam. I want to do a model of his Huey to add to my collection of fixed wing aircraft. !/48th, 1/35th, or 1/32nd will be the scale, depending on the availability and quality of kits, and the "model" of the Huey (B, C, D ?).

Your recommendations, as to the preferred kit, would be greatly apreciated. I'm interested in accuracy and detail, even if it means buying an aftermarket detail set.

The "Dust-off" pilots flew by Maj. Kelleys creed;
NO Compromise,
NO Hesitation,
NO Rationalization,
NEVER Refuse a Mission,
NEVER Come Home Without a Patient,
Put the Patient First.
"FLY THE MISSION"

When told the LZ was TOO Hot, to get out, Maj. Kelley replied "When I Have Your Wounded".

I owe a personal debt of gratitude to a "dust-off" pilot and his crew. I have been putting off doing a tribute to Maj. Kelley and the dust-off pilots for too long. With a little of your expertisre and some advice I'm finally ready to start this project.

I usually do fixed wing aircraft, but this is one helo I have to do. To Maj. Charles L. Kelley and the "dust-off" pilots and crews.
Thanks in advance, rangerj

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Cobrahistorian

Member since
December 2002
From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!

Posted by Cobrahistorian on Sunday, January 4, 2004 10:55 PM

Rangerj,

Gimme a week and I'll have some info for you. I'm on vacation at home now in NY and won't have access to my library until I get back down to Texas next monday. I know I've got some info on his bird.

Take care!

"1-6 is in hot"

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Melgyver

Member since
March 2003
From: Lafayette, LA

Posted by Melgyver on Sunday, January 4, 2004 10:57 PM

I did a quick search and found the following info at www.virtualwall.org on Maj. Charles L. Kelly. He was flying a UH-1B SN 63-08591 when he was KIA on 1 July 1964. I haven't found another reference yet to confirm the type and SN.

Clear Left!

Mel

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snakedriver

Member since
December 2003
From: Central Massachusetts

Posted by snakedriver on Monday, January 5, 2004 5:04 PM

RangerJ,
Just checked the VHPA database and it cites the A/C that Maj. Kelly
was flying as UH-1B, SN 63-08591.

Don't mean nothin'

Reply

Melgyver

Member since
March 2003
From: Lafayette, LA

Posted by Melgyver on Monday, January 5, 2004 5:42 PM

rangerj,

Since snakedriver confirmed the type and SN your best bet is the 1/35th MRC UH-1C with a Cobra Company "B" model back date set. You may still have to do a little scratch building for the stretcher wall mounts and hanging straps.

Clear Left!

Mel

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rangerj

Member since
March 2003

Posted by rangerj on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 2:37 PM

Thanks guys,

I had my local hobby shop order the MRC 1/35 UH-1-C kit (there are 3 different kits) and the Huey "In Action" book. Where can I find the Cobra Company "back date" kit for the B? I tried the Great Models and Squadron's web sites and had no luck. rangerj

Reply

HeavyArty

Member since
December 2002
From: Valrico, FL

Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 6:31 PM

Rangerj,
Cobr Company has their own web site: cobracompany.com You will find a treasure trove of helo stuff there.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

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snakedriver

Member since
December 2003
From: Central Massachusetts

Posted by snakedriver on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 8:40 PM

Ranger,
Sorry about the delay, but I'm knocking myself out with my business.
This should help. Lots of photos of Major Kelly and 57th Med B models.
Also a nice shot of Capt. Kelly in OH-13 evac chopper in Korea.

Go to www.vhpa.org
Click on "related links"
Click on "Vietnam Helicopters and artifacts"
In left column click on "Medical Units"
Click on 57th Med and enjoy!

_______________________-
You can never have too much fuel - unless you're on fire!

Don't mean nothin'

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rangerj

Member since
March 2003

Posted by rangerj on Saturday, January 10, 2004 12:16 AM

Gentlemen,

I want to thank yoou all for your help thus far. I got the Cobra company UH -1-B backdate kit today. The parts are very nicely cast and the instructions are well written and ilistrated. They point out the differences between the C and B in detail.

For anyone interested, I shopped the Cobra Company online, received the kits within a few days, and the kit is top quality. www.cobracompany.com.

Tomorrow my MRC "Charlie" model kit should be in the local shop. Anybody know the FS paint number for the Nam Hueys. I,m guessing it is standard Army OD. "If it moves pick it up, if it doesn't move paint it OD". I can still hear a sargent saying this as we "polidced" the area around the barracks.

I'm going to practice with my new digital camera on this Huey backdate. I'll post pictures of the progress. The conversion is not all that difficult and doesn't require any major surgery. I'll let you all know how well the parts "fit". Thats the real test of a conversion kit as far as I'm concerned.

Again, thanks for your most informative responses I'm still looking for some interior shots of the Medevac Huey Bs. rangerj

Reply

snakedriver

Member since
December 2003
From: Central Massachusetts

Posted by snakedriver on Saturday, January 10, 2004 7:52 AM

Army specs of the period indicate that The UH-1B was to be finished in gloss olive drab FS 14087. Rotor blades were to be lusterless green shade # 3412 on top and lusterless black shade # 3725. Corresponding FS #'s 34087 and 37038. You may want to research the particular aircraft you are modelling, but in general, the 57th's B
models had the high-viz markings (national insignia, fuselage "ARMY", and yellow tail bands) painted out. The yellow " U.S. ARMY" and yellow call numbers remained on the vertical fin. The elimination of the hi-vis markings would have been accurate for the period during which Maj. Kelly commanded the 57th. The medical ID panels were carried in the standard three positions.

Don't mean nothin'

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 10, 2004 9:10 AM

Guys,

One source to help is the U.S. Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Al. The web page URL to the Research Library can be found at:

http://www.armyavnmuseum.org/museum/research.html

The museum is a quality facility and a number of retired Army Aviators tend to be found there working and supporting visitors. While stationed there from 1996-2000, I was able to meet and associate with tremendous veterans like CW4(Ret) Mike Novosel (CMOH) and Willie Ruff (Army One Pilot for Pres. Eisenhower).

Cannot recommend enough that you call and/or visit this great organization.

BTW Jon, if you go to Rucker for Flight School, you'll be in helo heaven with all the stuff you'll see!

Wade

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Cobrahistorian

Member since
December 2002
From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!

Posted by Cobrahistorian on Saturday, January 10, 2004 6:01 PM

Wade,

Yeah, I can't wait! They won't let me out of school early, though. I've got another 3 semesters of PhD coursework, then I go up to NJ to my unit, and only when a slot opens at Rucker do I get to go down there for flight training. Lots of moving for the next 2 1/2 years!

"1-6 is in hot"

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