I've Waited My Whole Life For This Moment... My First HUEY Helicopter! 

I was an ARMY Warrant Officer Aviator who flew 3,700 hours in the UH-1 A, B, C, D, H, and M models. This may have started as a UH-1D, but with the roof mounted Pitot tube, it was upgraded at some point. The UH-1D 62-12372 that I flew at times with the 1st CAV in Vietnam started life with a 44 foot rotor system and an L-5 engine. Blade extensions were glued on and a 24 inch fuselage plug was bolted to the fuselage. An L-7 engine was added for more performance in the hot, humid Central Highlands of South Vietnam. Later in 1966, they added an L-9 engine and by March, 1967, some of our birds had the L-11 engines. All 21 of the UH-1D's I flew in 1966-67 in Vietnam were flown by me as an Instructor Pilot (after rebuild) at Hunter AAF at Savannah Georgia. Many, complete with patched bullet holes. I spent more than 30 nights sleeping in the front seat of the UH-1D, with a ready, reactionary force near the HUEY so we could be airborne in less than one minute. Those were the days my friends, I thought they would never end, but I am glad they did.

You still haven't made it until you buy an Apache

I was a door gunner UH-1D helicopter in Vietnam with the 118th AHC . In 1970-71. I had over 650 combat fighting hours..You will love this bird..PS: UH1's did not have wire cutters on them in my time in Vietnam...I'm 73 now....and still going.

You wouldn’t believe how much I love this aircraft. Back in the early 70s the sound of the “thump thump thump of these guys coming in meant pure relief. You could count ‘em. Smoke out!!!! One by one, others circling, guns blazing, controlled chaos, safety. My wife of 44 years just doesn’t understand wtf I’m up to every time I look skyward at the sound of a chopper and can id most, but can pick a Huey immediately. Thanks for saving her, enjoy. Many vets will probably hug you. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

My father was a huey mechanic in Vietnam from 63-66. He passed away from cancer in 2012. This brings my heart such happiness seeing this video and seeing your new Huey.

Based on armor seats and a few other things, it is obvious this helicopter previously belonged to the military. The particle separator(if original to the aircraft) would indicate an early D model, certainly not built in 1971. By that year, Bell was producing H models. The D model was a stretched version of the B model with the same T53-L11 engine. These were underpowered and in the high density altitude of Vietnam, with a full fuel load and a crew of four, it was not unusual to only be able to transport four American infantry troops. The first H model that I flew was in early 1970 and with the T53-L13 engine, the limitation was space rather than power. We could carry a whole lot of South Vietnamese ARVN troops and at least six US Army soldiers. The Huey is the “Gooney Bird”(C-47/DC-3) of helicopters and will be around for at least a century. Thanks for saving this one.

Its been 33 years since I was a US ARMY /National Guard pilot of a UH-1H. I have a cyclic that was chrome plated as my shifter knob in my Challenger and I have a complete tail rotor system hanging up on my shed at my inground pool. The area around my pool is called the "Officer's Club". each year I keep adding more and more helicopter stuff. I also have an OH-6 main rotor blade that I kept as a souvenir of my flying days. You are truly living my dream ! Fly safe and keep the greasy side down !

Just watched your video on my favorite the UH-1 Huey. Worked on them in the Army and those wire strike protection cutters SAVED MY LIFE in 1983. We struck 5 wires crossing a highway in Honduras, went down in a nearby field and did a controlled crash landing. Everyone walked away without a scratch. Known as the WISP system, I owe my life to it. Good luck with your Huey, I love that helicopter, still know my way around it like the back of my hand.

I'm a 70 yr old grandma now but back when I was 40 I got to ride in a Huey at an airshow. It was so thrilling, an experience I'll never forget. Congratulations on owning one.!

Congratulations for getting your first huey helicopter👏👏👏

I was a Combat Engineer in the Marines, and out of all the helicopters I flew in, the Huey was my favorite. This was the 2010’s so I’m sure it’s called something else. Least favorite was the Blackhawk because those Army guys are sooo talented, each ride felt impossible, how did they do that!? And we were packed in so tight I don’t think I ever sat in a seat.

My father always told me stories of working on Huey’s in Vietnam 67/68.. I think he said he was a pc4 I might of got that wrong but he said he was basically the supervisor of his mechanic/maintenance unit. I wish he was still around to watch this video he always watched you guys on TV!

I love the Huey and I like the Blackhawk. But my favourite helicopter would have to be the Chinook. The unmistakable sound from miles away just gets me every time.

I spent 20 years in the oilfield offshore and rode hundreds of trips out and back in all along the Gulf coast. That distinct rotor pop is one you never forget. That is heaven to hear 300 miles out in open water for the ride home!

These videos are sick, no scripts, no stupid sponsors, always something to learn by helping others. Great job guys ❤️

Those red doors remind me of ranger school, ! When I was at fort Benning GA, back in the early 80’s I took part in the largest ever training mission with Huey’s ever ,or ever done since..at least as far as ve been told ..it was so cool looking out the door,and seeing dozens and dozens of them all around each other as far as I could see across the tree tops, it was just nuts flying in at speed while watching and waiting to hear the jump master screaming go go go..and just free falling out ..

My dad spent his life chasing hueys around and keeping them airborne, cool to see someone else keeping them alive

Congratulations on your new helicopter; I'm sure it will awesome when you're done building it the way you want and will be put to good use. I'm extremely glad to see you stopping in to help Andrew Flare; he's a great guy with a awesome RU-vid channel. He's a men that helped out others in his community doing all he could, put together a fund raiser all while his own place was severely damaged.

With the big engine you should have no power problems maxing out the cargo hook. there are many improved components available for that aircraft. Looking forward to watching your progress with the build process. I worked UH-1N helicopters in the Air Force in the 1970's. Air rescue detachment in Florida. Best of luck with the project.

I grew up in Orange County, CA just three miles from Lighter then Air Marine Base, during Vietnam War. We had Helicopters flying over are neighborhood continuously. They trained Helicopter pilots at that base. The thumping sound of Helicopters, was a noise we thought was just normal. Helicopters & airplanes have a place in my heart ❤.

Congratulations Dave on your new baby, Huey helicopter. I have flown in helicopters, once in Maui and once in Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Best experiences ever. I Maui the pilot showed off his skills flyin over Molokai in deep canyons, with waterfalls. Jurassic park stuff. I am so glad that there's a channel I enjoy that highlights helicopters.

congrats Dave ! can't wait to see the finished huey! awesome project!

Congratulations !!!! That Helicopter makes the Sounds of Freedom

My dad was a gunner then crewchief on a uh-1c gunship with the 191st ahc in 68-69. He made it home, unfortunately gone now. When I was a kid we lived right next to an army training area call pinon canyon and the hueys would fly over and it would stop him dead in his tracks. His unit helped stop the attack on the embassy in saigon, and too many other missions to mention. He came home with 2 silver stars, 2 bronze stars, air medals He was a true warrior, and I miss him everyday. Always wanted to go up in a huey, to feel a tiny bit of what my dad felt. Someday. Congrats on your huey👍

Awesome!!! We are all excited along with you, I absolutely love the Huey!

I’m always here for the edits, whoever does your edits is hilarious

Thanks for coming to Nebraska. It takes alot for a Nebraskan to ask for help. My friend Sgt. Tompkins would love a ride if you're still around. We're in Valentine. The huey is rad. Much respect.

Worked with a company that had a few of these and modded them up... the pilots say the BLR FastFin is one of the best mods next to the turbine and 212 rotorsystem.. the difference in tail authority is like a bus to a ferrari. Good luck!.. these are beautiful work horses... and NOT supposed to be hangar queens😉

i can't wait to you guys' post next video watch you and flair for years

Flair is an awesome dude. Glad you came to his aid.

That's cool that y'all went to help Fiair. he has that MASSIVE excavator that Heavy D. will be right at home in, Flair's like me, he can drive it and move things around with it, but can't operate it very well, and removing that stuff off the vehicles/boats/SXS's and other things, in a timely manner with that equipment without causing more damage takes a bit of knowledge and experience. Can't wait to watch that video.

Awesome absolutely love the helicopter content

Welcome to the club. I used to be a maintenance test pilot for the Huey and was taught by the best. I always enjoyed test flying a Huey since almost all Huey missions were flown with dual pilots. Test flights were mandated with minimum crew, which was single pilot. Just about all of our Hueys were older than the crewchiefs working on them. Good times.

I’d fly with you & for you as what you do, especially for Vets makes serving and understanding Ex Service personnel a whole new level of appreciation. I wanted to do that here but got no backing. No passion or understanding like you and the boys. Thanks Dave.

I was Infantry back in the mid 90’s, my favorite ride was always the Huey. I just loved the sound of hearing it in the distance approaching the LZ.

Congratulations Dave! Another dream come true Fortunate Son. That's my favorite helicopter of all time.

Good luck Heavy!

Say...im glad to see that you were able to grab this huey that I mentioned earlier. I'm sure it will be a fine huey once you have completed the restore on this ole huey. I loved flying in them when I served in the army. Looking forward to watch the progress and the completion of the process.

Love that you're helping Flair out!! Two of my favorite youtubers coming together

Why do I see you Heavy D getting a Chinook next. Nice helicopter bro.

Thank you for taking care of the old birds and making them into new hawks old time. Enjoy watching the old become new again. God bless you and God bless bless America.

Congratulations Dave ! Look forward to seeing the finished product!! Would love a ride !

Dave, I love your channel, I love how you are so willing to help so many. I help a lot of people too whenever I can. I just love doing that. I also have a love for aviation and volunteer at a museum. I’m thinking about changing careers and becoming A&P mechanic. Thank you for being the person you are in this world. You are an inspiration to many.

Seriously wondered why it wasn’t the first !!!! I used to mech on those in the army.

"That's what we do" May God bless you with whatever you need to keep helping those in need.

Cool helicopter. Loved the video. Kudos on your willingness to help the tornado victims.

Flown in a few UH1's while i was in the Marines 1981-84 . I love the sound of the rotor chop

Do I get a flight in it for sending you the lead?!?

I have a 76 y/o friend who flew Hueys in Vietnam. He tells wild and crazy tales. He is quite a character.

I was a Huey Crewchief on N models in the Marine Corps. The 212 set up is nice but you're gonna be limited to 1290 shp at the transmission. It's nice to have 1800 shaft horsepower on the engine, but the 412 is better all the way around. it's a completely different transmission that will give you an 1800shp limit at the tranny. Two blades beat you to death over 120 kn. If you're gonna fly in section with that Blackhawk, you're gonna be frustrated with the speed of a two bladed system. They don't carry external fuel tanks, they have auxiliary fuel bags in the cabin next to the transmission. All that said you can get das mounts and cradles for .50 bmg pretty cheap. It's a fun plane unless you have to fly with other aircraft. The cobras hated flying cas with us because they had to cruise at 120kts when capable of 150. As far as the ceiling, we ran out of Ng under 10k with 2100 lbs of gas and no pax. Enjoy

Don't forget the loudspeaker so you can play Charge Of The Valkyries, think Apocalypse Now.

HeavyD - the SOUND of the Huey ALONE is identifiable. Yes, the air craft is older than WE are.

Awesome an indepth look at rebuilding and remanufacturing of a huey !

I too love the look and sound of the Huey. Just seeing the look on Dave's face tells it's own story. Love to see it in action. Thanks from UK.

Yea i listened to the radio warnings in Iowa, as i drove home from a veteran's event in Hoosier county Indiana. Definitely a time to get a move on event.

This is awesome, Springdale is my hometown! I showed my nephew this huey when driving around town.

The First Helicopter I ever flew in was a UH-1D in 1964. A great start to a long history working on Helicopters.

Worked on Huey helicopters for the Army. Early 80,s loved them Worked on 1 B model gunship. Mostly D models.

That's awesome Dave! Congratulations!!

You guys need a smiling Dave-head as a helicopter with a rotor out the top, a tail-rotor stuck on the back and cute little landing gear for every time Dave gushes about helicopters!!

Great job guys. Thank you 😊

I work for Bell now in the rotors division, overseeing the repair and overhaul all of their commercial blades. It's exciting to watch you build a Bell now!

That’s going to be a great helicopter for you. If you’re going to be doing lots of longline work with it. Look at the Transwest door and seat mod for it. We had them at my last work place and the crews loved them! Putting the 412 seats in them is also a great update for crew comfort.

I was a powertrain mechanic in the Army I worked on many of these Ft Campbell and Korea, many tail numbers from Vietnam, just remember 150 Hours between phase maintenance not counting, repairs in-between, Get involved in breaking the Jesus Nut use your guns and a good breaker bar! Looking forward to this build Kurt SGT/E-5 US Army

I flew and wrenched on these aircrafts over 10 years ago and man do i miss it, whenever one flys over i go out of my way to see it! Love the sound of it coming in for a landing

Thank you for sharing this video. Glad you finally got your Huey helicopter. Be safe and God Bless

My father flew the huey back in the 70s and 80s. He was in a wire strike accident in Texas that ended up making those wire cutters mandatory on all military helicopters! I absolutely love the huey and would give anything to ride in one! Congratulations on your huge acquisition!

I always remember taking a pleasure trip in a 212 when I was young.. Im a Huey enthusiast ever since. Can't wait to see this Huey build progress..

You’re just like my brother his name was Dave too and he had expensive hobbies too. He was an aviation, mechanic and inspector. Unfortunately, we lost him back in 2011 in a plane crash in Matagorda Bay, South Texas. I caught the bug too, and was flying until I had five strokes, so no more. I have a 1960 Cessna 172C project plane I have finally come to the point I have to get rid of. I used to fly old Citabria Taildragger’s fun times. Now just a memory.

1:30 I’m glad he is excited. It sounds like it’s a great low hours aircraft. Seems like if he wants all the mods and change the engine with a more powerful one that the low hours is less helpful if a lot of stuff is getting upgraded replaced? Glad to watch and be along for the ride just thought it was interesting

That's an awesome find. I learned to "fly" a Huey in the Army and was booked. I was getting training and help from a pilot in my company when I was in Korea. A broken knee kept me out of flight school.

Flare rocks thanks for helping him out stand up man!! Next year's snowed In you should invite Flare and the boys they'd love it

Good for you,#1 Helping out Flair, to me that's so Kewl. The Hughey, what could i say, i saw all i needed too in your eyes when you saw it. I had that same look when dad bought me a New Bicycle when i was 8 ? Great video, they are all good sir ty from SE Texas Bear 💯🙏

Ahhh😎!!!! I love hueys so much! they are amazing cool and unique helicopters! it’s a-shame they aren’t built anymore. these rigs along with the SR-71s were the peak of aviation flying!

I worked at BH working in the UH-1Y and AH-1Z program. The program started with using old models and upgrading them to twin engine. You have a perfect platform to start with.

Im a Canadian volunteer firefighter from a small town in bc Canada. When I was young I was in air cadets i dreamed of that machine. I love how you help people. I watch your videos when I get home from my calls to help me mellow out and try sleep

That s so bad ass I never been in a helicopter but fascinated by them especially the huey because of the sound of them . Dave ur not the only one that loves them to .lol all ur videos are amazing and inspiring thank u

Dave you and your team help so many people on this planet just wanted to say congrats on your helicopter take care everyone helping people is the highest honor in my opinion

There’s nothing like riding on the skids of a Huey, man I miss those days.👍🏻

you dont get much more iconic than the HUEY ...... the sound of the WHOP WHOP WHOP as the big rotor blades beat the air into submission .. such a classic chopper !! when i was in the army ( dessert shield and storm ) i got ride in a few huey's but they were replacing them with the blackhawk ... so huey rides were few and far between.... but i'll always have the memories of the sound and the feel of riding in a huey ! the blackhawk is a total different feeling but still fun !!!!!

I just watched Flair's video with you. You're amazing for helping him out!

One of my favorite helicopters to fly in, I got a few rides with feet out on skid. Back when Blackhawks were known as and called crashhawks. One of the the last UH-1's flying for the Army was at Redstone Army Arsenal and was transferred to IL. State Police a few years back.

High skids, fast fin tail, glass instrument panel. My favorite helicopter ever, very happy for you.

I can't wait to watch that build. It's gonna be mind blowing insane!

Congratulations Heavy-D. I look forward to your build. I Love your Blackhawk!

In my opinion one of the best sounding helicopters around. Used to love watching squadrons of them head out (along with the Cobras).

Partner.... your living my DREAM... I have been in 3 choppers. I checked out a school for flying them. Family came first so I could not take the time out for a school. I love them almost as much as you do. I greatly appreciate you sharing your passion with us.... Would love to be in your shoes!!

Congrats! I can't wait to see this built up and in service with your adventures :D

I have always loved the UH1-D when I was younger I got to fly in one at Ft Devens Ma.. I always loved the sound they made, you always knew it was a Huey coming long before you saw it from that thud of the rotor. If I could ever afford one I would have to do it up with a Nam era paint scheme a couple faux/replica M60s etc.

Congrats on the new bird. Keep the helicopter content coming! Can't wait to see what you do with it. We learn to fly the with skis on the skids in Canada. Great for learning run on landings in the 412 and autos to the ground in the 206.

It's funny how your video brought out some very old memories of my Father. He was a huey pilot in Vietnam and later a Loach pilot and flight instructor. He loved to fly . But Diabetes ended that for him. I don't know if you like to read books about Vietnam Pilots, but this book Price Of Exit by Tom Marshall tells part of my father's story in Vietnam. Thanks for the memories, and I look forward to more videos of your huey.

My dad flew Huey’s for the army, such a beautiful aircraft , such a distinctive sound ❤

Congratulations. Such a cool helicopter. Reminds of Vietnam era and Rembo movie.

Congrats on the Huey! I flew 412’s which is the younger child of the Huey. Great aircraft

Huey was my first ride. Loved it. Nothing looks like or sounds like it. I've even fell asleep riding in it. You'll love it.

Glad to see you get a HUEY. I did 3 years in one as a crewman in the early 1970's with the RNZAF. We had UH1H.H version with a 1100 hp main transmission and a 1300 hp gas turbine. I will be looking forward to seeing this updated bird fly.

Awesome! I love the old Bells! I fought forest fires for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and when you were out on a fire and heard a 212 or 205 coming in hot and heavy to pick you up. That was the best sound ever. That iconic sound………awesome

Love the editing, finally u have a huey also, cant wait to follow this project along

I love those helicopters they are awesome. The maneuverability is great.

Definitely going to follow the Huey build