H-21 Shawnee in Vietnam

http://www.118ahc.org/33rdTransCo.htm

I was in this unit in mid 63 and the 21 I crewed had all black blades. Some of the photos look like a blade is white however I believe that to be sun reflecting off the blade. As late as Jan of 64 the B model I crewed had black colored blades. Painting a blade or the cabin roof was just starting when I left. I went back twice after that and found that blade or roof painting was not 100%. Painting a blade changed the balance and in those days we didn't have electronic balancing equipment.

As far as enlisted crew clothing all we had was regular fatigues that had the sleeves cut off. That was the standard uniform as of Jan 64.

During early Viet Nam, USAF and Army crewmembers flew in highly modified flight suits.  ie, sleeves and legs cut off, etc for comfort.  After several fires and burned crewmembers, this practice was officially forbidden and most guys went along with it for personal safety.  That heavy, NOMEX flight suit actually had a reason for existence.

Darwin,  O.F.

I just don't get why white blades. The one I'm building is camo'ed. why white blades? I understand on a cobra- "you might see me, but I can kill you!" The H-21 I'm making is ether troop or supply.

I have never seen a pilot fly in shorts before, not even civi pilots.

Did someone order a CH-21 with white blades?  Coming right up, sir!:

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This photo is from the 2007 Riverside Airshow: The Riverside airshow is a one-day event held each year at Riverside airport near the eastern end of the Los Angeles basin.

Text for this pic reads as follows:

"My favorite American helicopter on the airshow circuit is this Piasecki H-21 "Shawnee", the only one of its kind in the world which is still flying.   With this type of helicopter it's easier to do a rolling takeoff than a vertical takeoff, and when it's gained a bit of speed the pilot lifts the rear undercarriage to bring the fuselage into a level attitude, before finally taking the last bit of weight off the nosewheel and climbing skywards."

Sorry it's not VN, but I assume it is restored as a VN bird. 

    Ray
 

I know two guys who flew H-21s in Vietnam.  Lemme ask.  I don't think they were all white, but one blade sounds about right.

Jon 

While not in Vietnam this CH-21 was photographed in Korea in early 1969 my me and would be typical of those used in Vietnam, the rotor blades were black