Huey UH1H Walkaround Gary Gingrich

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
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    Gary Gingrich gives us a walkaround tour of the Mid America Flight Museum's UH-1H Huey. Gary flew around 1,000 hours in combat in the Huey during the Vietnam War.

ความคิดเห็น • 594

  • @terryhollingsworth1097
    @terryhollingsworth1097 3 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    Thank you for your service sir. My dad , who we buried last week was in Ton shan nut in 67. Agent orange finally got its vet. Dad was 91 so he had a good life till the last few years. He's still my hero, as are the rest of you guys.
    Stay safe, stay well. 😪

    • @AlbertHess-xy7ky
      @AlbertHess-xy7ky ปีที่แล้ว

      The Commies used Agent orange on Americans? How many American women and children got to enjoy Vietnamese Naplam?

  • @PhilG999
    @PhilG999 4 ปีที่แล้ว +272

    Enjoyed this immensely! When I was a teenager I got to get a close-up look at a UH-1H that practically landed in my back yard! Three of them came over and I happened to be outside. First two sounded normal but the third didn't. High pitched nasty sound from the engine (found out later it had a compressor stall). So they start circling overhead. Ran inside and grabbed Pops camera and got back outside to see the damaged one come down FAST into the recently graded area that is now the industrial park right behind my house! Ran down there as the guys were getting out grabbing their backs (must have landed hard). Started taking pics and they asked me: "Where did YOU come from?". I said : "Right over there. Heard you coming over and knew something was wrong." Quizzical looks. Army Rangers from the training area in North Georgia. So rather than flatbed it out they decided to use the opportunity for a training exercise. They flew a fresh engine in in another Huey and swapped it on the spot! Took lotsa pics and basically stayed out of their way until they flew it out! Got some great shots of their test hops in the evening with the rotor tips lit up. Sent them copies of the pics and a while later I got a package in the mail. Certificate for "Assistance in the recovery of a downed aircraft"! Also got recruiting stuff for a long time after that... I never wanted to join the Military. Pop was 28th Infantry WWII. Landed on Omaha Beach a while after D-Day (his troopship was delayed or he would have been in the thick of it). Got through the Battle of the Bulge as one of 60 from his Division that survived! Then got a little too far into Germany on patrol and was captured. Marched 15 days to a POW camp where he spent 97 days before being liberated. He passed in August of 2015, one week after his 93rd Birthday...

    • @davehowe7332
      @davehowe7332 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      What a great story love your dad, thanks man

    • @jamiestewart48
      @jamiestewart48 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Thanks for sharing that awesome story. Much respect to your Pops, too.

    • @millercork
      @millercork 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Fantastic story , thank you for sharing!

    • @kikupub71
      @kikupub71 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Respect! !

    • @PhilG999
      @PhilG999 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jamiestewart48 Thanks!

  • @adamhenry5791
    @adamhenry5791 4 ปีที่แล้ว +122

    It helps to be 20, absolute truth. Great Video 🍻

    • @Medionxtr
      @Medionxtr 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah - I know the feeling !

    • @StarrTile
      @StarrTile 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @20 I was jumping outa those...what was I thinking..I wasn't😂

    • @johnf.kennedy7771
      @johnf.kennedy7771 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      It helps to be 10 and admire him for knowing so much about the "Huey" and working in Vietnam, I love war and the aircrafts and helicopters used in them and what special features they have. So to me this is the best video I could ask for.

    • @onemoremisfit
      @onemoremisfit 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      No wife & kids back home, ready and willing to "hang it out".

    • @rogerpring3623
      @rogerpring3623 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      0p

  • @richwhite4331
    @richwhite4331 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Thanks for your service Gary!!! I was a grunt with the 196th Light Infantry/Americal Division up north in 68/69 and you Huey guys saved our butts MANY MANY times, we all loved the Huey Guys. You came thru every time we needed your help!! Got to fly into a couple of HOT LZ's with you guys. Scary as hell but your guys got us in safely and out too!! God Bless You and Thanks Again!!

  • @covingtonrace1
    @covingtonrace1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Here for the chopper, his story was better

    • @thesushifiend
      @thesushifiend 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Couldn’t agree more.

  • @michaelclarke8066
    @michaelclarke8066 4 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    This is an incredible watch! Truly one of the best first person accounts of the Huey that i've ever seen, and I hope everyone can appreciate the storytelling and mastery of machine that is detailed throughout this video. Thanks for doing it, it is awesome.

  • @warrenfitts6947
    @warrenfitts6947 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Forgot to check the Jesus Nut.. ??? Sir... why us Crew Chiefs were there to keep our pilots safe >> :)

  • @mattinsley1721
    @mattinsley1721 4 ปีที่แล้ว +74

    Absolutely wonderful Gary. My dad flew UH-1 Med Evac in Viet Nam, 67-68, out of Pleiku. I thank you for your service and being able to tell your story. My dad, unfortunately, never shared his experiences with me or anyone. It was far too painful for him to do so. He continued in Army Aviation post deployment at Fort Rucker Alabama until he retired. He helped to found the Army Aviation safety school there. I think they called it USABAR at the time. He retired to So Cal and took up teaching at USC. Great pilot and a great man. He died way to young from alcoholism.
    Matt Insley
    Son of LTC. William N. Insley - US Army

    • @jamiestewart48
      @jamiestewart48 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Have been using ancestry recently so popped in your Father's details and this popped up from the 1940 census and thought you might be interested: www.ancestry.com/1940-census/usa/Michigan/William-N-Insky_2sqywf

    • @Terracecasualx5
      @Terracecasualx5 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Cindy Klenk I’m a Brit and your reminiscing of your big bro humbled me, remember what Heraclitus said “out of every 100 men,ten shouldn’t even be there,eighty are just targets,9 are the real fighters,and we are lucky to have them,for they make the battle. Ah,but the one,one is a warrior,for he will bring the others back”. That was your big bro Cindy,the humble warrior! Blessed love lady!

    • @Terracecasualx5
      @Terracecasualx5 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Cindy Klenk I’m glad you shared that with me as it was a beautiful story.

    • @CarlJohnson-ry3gc
      @CarlJohnson-ry3gc 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Cindy Klenk you are very knowledgeable of the air craft.

    • @josephperkins4163
      @josephperkins4163 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Matt, thank you for sharing. I don’t know how any human being can be in combat and not be forever changed by the experience! My thoughts this moment are with your father and you. Stay strong!

  • @cecillanter3207
    @cecillanter3207 4 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    I was an air traffic tower and radar controller for the 160th Aviation Group attached to the 101st Airborne in 68/69.... some of the things that was done was considered impossible and most all done by kids who were 19 to 21 years old. One emergency extraction mission to the Laotian border the mission was of such distance we did not have maps setup for the range.....had to lay the map on the floor of the radar van then take the center fold out of a Playboy to get the heading for the CH47 crew, used stop watches to keep track of the CH47 as they descended below the tops of the mountains where we lost radar contact and were able to put the aircraft down on a six digit grid target on top of hill surrounded by the NVA. This was before night-vision googles so I knew the command of the 2/138th Field Artillery to arrange flares to be shot so the pilots could see the mountains. Aircraft was run to max range, ran out of fuel as it was setting down at home...everyone was OK including the long range patrol they extracted
    Also was the tower controller on the final assault on what became known as Hamburger Hill, had the UH1s in flights of ten as that is how many we could refuel at one time
    Now, looking back to 52 years ago I often wonder if I was really there. I see the 19 to 21 year olds of today that mostly can not be trusted with a walking a dog then think of the kids in Vietnam commanding multi-million dollar aircraft as if it was their car

    • @Hambone571
      @Hambone571 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I agree so much with your 19- 21 yo comments. We, as kids, were so much more responsible then.

    • @summerpetchel9150
      @summerpetchel9150 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Really ashame theres no men any more. Bunch of little boys. Can’t even be a leader to their family, well said sir!

    • @md8590
      @md8590 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Respect! I can't imagine how badly it would go today if there was a Vietnam type situation and the youth were conscripted to fight in a war. These kids get PTSD when someone says something they don't agree with.

    • @ingvarhallstrom2306
      @ingvarhallstrom2306 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      You also killed about two million people, all in vain. I'd spare the teens of today that fate, because it doesn't seem to have made you any good anyhow.

    • @MrMarci878
      @MrMarci878 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Guess my employer shouldn't trust my 22 year old ass with expensive servers and multi-million dollar customers at our data center because you said I can't be trusted.

  • @ChuckMehle
    @ChuckMehle ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Retired Army Aviator and UH-1 pilot from long ago. This video brought back a lot of great memories of an epic airframe. Well done video!

  • @frodrickfronkensteen9241
    @frodrickfronkensteen9241 4 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    The war story at the end... my hair stood up.
    Pilots... fixed wing, rotary... Pilots are a different breed.
    Dad was an air force, airline and private pilot. I shot an approach with him on a 40ft wide runway, in a twin Piper Seneca II, in the Ozark mountains, no tower, runway lights were remotely keyed off his handheld radio... at night. I remember vividly... we went around three times, trying to key the runway lights on. When we finally did, he said to me... "I'll fly, you watch for deer... and wires." I swallowed my tongue. Dad didn't miss a beat.
    I miss my Dad. I miss him a lot.

  • @CamdalftheGreat
    @CamdalftheGreat 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    My uncles memorial was last week, he passed from multiple myeloma, likely caused by agent orange.
    When asked what he did when in Vietnam, he would answer that he was a death sergeant.
    We all found out after his death that he was a door Gunner, likely in a huey just like this one.
    If a Vietnam veteran happens to read this. Welcome home.

  • @tacoenvy
    @tacoenvy 4 ปีที่แล้ว +60

    This was fantastic, can't go wrong with a great Huey video. What a badass story at the end! 👊

    • @craigmoran893
      @craigmoran893 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ...sittin in a Huey, telling Huey stories!

  • @LtRiot
    @LtRiot 4 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    Absolutely incredible testimony to the Men and Machines thrown into harms way. My uncle was shot down in 3 different Hueys in that jungle doing the same job as this man. Thank you for this and outstanding video!

    • @BellUH-1Huey
      @BellUH-1Huey ปีที่แล้ว

      Shot down 3 times, now THATS bad luck

  • @giangky4463
    @giangky4463 4 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I am Vietnamese growing up in the Viet Nam war. Huey was an iconic aircraft. Thank you for your service and the
    walk around tour .

  • @Chodda
    @Chodda 4 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    this helicopter is almost as cool as his watch Lol!

    • @nealogorman1810
      @nealogorman1810 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Should do a video on his watch

    • @Chodda
      @Chodda 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@nealogorman1810 i believe its one of those vintage Casio calculator watches lol! they are somewhat collector items now~!

  • @donarmstrong5872
    @donarmstrong5872 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Something I note is he leaves out part of our normal start up procedure. The main rotor blade is tied down because a passing ship or a wind will bounce the blades and can easily damage the rotor head or cause an incident when the blades of a passing ship would strike the bouncing blades on the parked ship. The blades would be untied when you were ready to start up the ship. The crew chief and door gunner would check out the ship and wait for the pilots to do the same. At the point that we were ready to crank up the crew chief would left the hook off of the hole in the end of the blade to free it up and then stow the hook which has a long red line on it. When the pilots were ready to start the ship they would call out "Clear" and the crew chief and door gunner would again do a quick check to make sure there was nothing in the way and repeat "Clear and untied sir" At that point the pilot would say "Coming Hot" and then would then start up the ship. Once the crew chief and door gunner saw no leaks they would climb into their locations. By the way when I was a door gunner up North my crew chief said "You are on the left side" which is contrary to what most people did but hey it's his ship not mine". So once the ship was up to operating RPM and everything was good to go then the pilot would say "Clear" and the door gunner and crew chief would respond with "Clear Left , Clear right" Some crews also included "Clear Above". We would then go flying in the beautiful skies of Vietnam.

    • @donarmstrong5872
      @donarmstrong5872 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@damkayaker It's the crew chief's ship so it was his preference as to which side he was on. His choices could be as simple as a lefty or a righty or as complicated as his vision preferences.

  • @hlwanmoe9279
    @hlwanmoe9279 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    မိတ်ဆွေမဂ်လာပါ🤝👉🙋‍♂️ကျွန်တော်ကမောင်လွှမ်းမိုးပါ မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ မြဝတီမြို့က

  • @marinegrunt6633
    @marinegrunt6633 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    served as a grunt in Vietnam 66-67, we were mainly at the DMZ, I was with L Co 3dBn, 4thMar...we owe our pilots for saving our ass on more than one occasion.....We mainly landed with the Ch-46s........Our really enjoyed this video, it took my back to the war.....Bless you

  • @jamesalbright4666
    @jamesalbright4666 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great aircraft. I crewed them for 20 years 681st medivac National Guard Shelbyville, Indiana.

  • @georgechalifour88
    @georgechalifour88 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Ya another big salute to you sir for your bravery. I was there 1965 1966 Helicopter fixed wing repairman ! Quin yon !!

  • @markthibault8579
    @markthibault8579 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Very cool and love the story at the end. Reminds me to re-read Chickenhawk too.

  • @petehenry7878
    @petehenry7878 4 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    I was a crew chief on Huey's 75 - 85. .At 1:25 those are not for vertical antennas. IR sensors went there. Talking about the amount of fuel it holds, I once put 205 gallons in my bird. Anyone want to do the math on how long we had left to fly on 4 gallons. Skid shoes. I must have changed them 3 times in one week. Seems like it was always my bird they would use for check rides. The scissors are just above the swash plate 10:30. 10:50 that's the mixing levers. 12:25 that's a drive link he he has a hold of. The scissors are the 2 horizontal arms that the drive link is attached to. The swash plate is the round part the drive link is attached to. We didn't have rotor brakes. I guess that's what that grey handle on ceiling is.

    • @yamahonkawazuki
      @yamahonkawazuki 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      this comment deserves a like. thank you for this explanation.

    • @markthompson4885
      @markthompson4885 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I wondered what that gray handle was looked like a hand pump. Never had one in any Huey I crewed. your right about the skid shoe's . one week end My bird was picked to do all the check rides for all the office pilots that havent flown in 90 days . I did about a hundred auto-rotations to the ground. changed the skids shoes twice. also did a hard landing insp. we hit so hard one time I thought for sure the skids were bent. But they checked out oK.

    • @loupcityairservice9740
      @loupcityairservice9740 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The Handle is for a rotor brake this Helicopers probably used by a police department they always Add all kinds of aftermarket accessories

    • @CZPO7DUTY
      @CZPO7DUTY 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Did I miss the “Jesus Nut” inspection??

    • @dave-yj9mc
      @dave-yj9mc 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I think they used those lil bumps on the nose for APR-39 radar warning sensors also. H model Huey held 209 Gal when open port fueled and a little more when closed circuit fueled. I crewed from 92-2004. I miss it more than anything.

  • @Theexcellorator64
    @Theexcellorator64 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Fantastic listening to these men reminiscing about when they were young and pulling off heroic achievements. As an Englishman I have nothing but the utmost respect for these people.

  • @jeremywilson4326
    @jeremywilson4326 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    A big salute to this guy. We need more like him. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Jeremy in Alabama.

  • @pretzelogic2689
    @pretzelogic2689 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I was on CA, coming into a rice paddy, when at about 20ft in the air the ship suddenly turned 90 degrees to left. After a near recovery and some fantastic flying, the pilot controlled it into a "gentle" roll over onto the roof. No one hurt. They assumed it was a wire set up in a loop and we hooked only one skid which turned us. I really had my doubts about that. So it's really striking to see wire cutters on this ship. Makes me wonder.
    And I just want to add, you slick pilots saved more lives in more ways than you can even imagine. All my thanks.

  • @jameswalley134
    @jameswalley134 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    OMG … you are an absolute hero mate !!!!
    You & your generation of young Iroquois Pilots did such an amazing job in Vietnam.
    I truly tip my hat to you & those other brave pilots with absolute admiration.
    I too flew those Huey’s.
    From about 1984 - 1988.
    Your walk around reminded me of so many otherwise forgotten memories.
    I proudly served side by side with you Yanks in the Sinai (Egypt) Peace Keeping Force (MFO) between Israel and Egypt in 1985.
    I was an Air Mobile Commander & Check Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) while flying the Huey.
    Being a small but very modern Air Force, we Aussie Pilots were blessed with the ability to transfer from fixed to rotary wing flying.
    During Pilot Course, I flew the old Winjeel (450 HP rotary piston engine) aircraft.
    Then while in the second phase of Pilot Training, the Italian Macchi Jet Trainer.
    I was then posted to fly the C130A, & then the C130H Hercules transport aircraft.
    As an Officer first & a Pilot second, I was then posted to a desk job for 847 days !!!
    After which I elected to experience something completely different in Aviation ….. Choppers !!!
    Since those days, while in QANTAS, I flew the Jumbo, the B767 & the Airbus A330.
    Of all of those experiences, the beautiful Huey will ALWAYS be my favorite Aircraft.
    So versatile, but if you ever turned your back, she would bight you in the a*s.
    Thank you so much for your wonderful walk around .
    How I would enjoy a few nights reliving Huey memories over a few beers with a marvelous Veteran like you.
    God bless you & all those brave Men & Women who serve our countries.
    Rest assured …… we Aussie’s will ALWAYS be ready to stand side by side with you, our Yank Brothers in Arms.
    God bless & all the very best Brother.
    Cheers from Sydney Australia.

  • @jamesmolley8636
    @jamesmolley8636 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    When I entered the Air Force we trained at Fort Rucker with the Army. First we trained in the TH-55, Hughes 300, then we moved into the Huey. What a difference, hydraulics made flying this helicopter so smooth, there is nothing like the sound of those rotor blades, you would wake up and go to sleep hearing that wonderful sound.

  • @Mike-01234
    @Mike-01234 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    So cool to see actual Vietnam Huey Pilot still flying them today in time they will be too old to fly and like our WW2 veterans who are mostly gone I remember in the 1980's at a small airshow in Southern California Marine Corps Air station Tustin. A P-51 Mustang fly over in the pattern and landed I remember hearing the big Packard-Merlin back fire a few times as pulled it back to idle on his roll-out down the runway. He taxied in a zig zag over to a parking spot shut down after awhile I made my way over to talk to him about his airplane. I found out he was a WW2 pilot in 1944 this was his P-51 he had for over 10 years since the early 70s he was retired airline pilot.

  • @09beegee
    @09beegee 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Think about this. Think about expecting this type of activity every waking day for a year. Think about trying to get back to the world and trying to resume your normal life among your normal friends again. Aint happening. Think about the reception that a lot of vets received coming back to a Country they honorably risked their lives to serve. Some forgave but not forgot. SOME DID NEITHER.

  • @elnach3240
    @elnach3240 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    You can tell this gentleman was a really good instructor.

  • @adamadams6740
    @adamadams6740 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Awesome stuff!!! The last 5 minutes with the story that’s so cool! Thanks for your service

  • @kevinvt4174
    @kevinvt4174 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thank you for your Service, it's men like you that made this Country what it is today... Aw hell ya, the Huey you could hear it coming from a mile away that whop,whop,whop was like music for an injured soldier , downed pilot or a pinned down troupe taking fire. Best Heli ever produced.

  • @CarlosOrtiz-g8d
    @CarlosOrtiz-g8d 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Gary...Sir : I'm speechless. Thank you!!!

  • @jackcapella2707
    @jackcapella2707 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was a Crewchief in Iraq. They still had the Kevlar seats up till then... Only for the pilot's of coarse. The gunner was just screwed. I turned in the last Huey on Ft. Campbell in 91' before going to Sinai where they were still using them. In 93 they were operating Huey's in the Medavac with 4th ID until 95' while in Somalia. Pretty sure they Mothballed them after that. A good Buddy of mine flew until 98 in Germany. The Huey went for a long, long time, the Army just couldn't replace it as a utility bird. The Blackhawk is an expensive beast, but better under fire.
    Your walk-through brought back memories, I could almost smell the grease from the Sta-Bar (what he called a scissor assembly -brain fart). The short shaft was Vietnam Era, it had grease packs. The flex shaft on that bird had no grease. Not sure why I felt the need to say that but it points out the generational differences with that bird. It flew through Vietnam, Iraq, Somalia, Hondo, many conflicts and generations of aviators and crew chiefs. A long brotherhood.

  • @rickcentore2801
    @rickcentore2801 4 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    I worked on UH-1E Hueys in the Marine Corps. The "E" models were equipped with rotor brakes. This was the first Army Huey I ever saw that had one. Great video - would love to see a part 2.

    • @ralphfay4423
      @ralphfay4423 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Rick , with VMO-3 --HML367 67 68

    • @rickcentore2801
      @rickcentore2801 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@ralphfay4423 Hi Ralph, Did you know Doug Ferguson? He was a crew chief that I'm pretty sure was in 367. I was in avionics, VMO-6 in 1965, VMO-2 in 1965-66, VMO-1 in 1966-67. Hope you're doing well!

    • @rickcentore2801
      @rickcentore2801 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@ralphfay4423 Another two names for you, Rod Brittan and Harry Lynch. I just looked them up in the Popasmaoke website, both 367.

    • @ralphfay4423
      @ralphfay4423 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks Rick, I'll. Check it out

  • @Stormrider-Flight
    @Stormrider-Flight ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Sidenote: The pilots "Bell Belly" is mandatory for all Huey Pilots and is used as counterweight for the excessive shaking during startup. Without a properly weighted pilot, the chopper would just flip over :)

  • @bobbertee5945
    @bobbertee5945 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Outstanding....thank you for your service Gary Gingrich.....have hi regards for all u Vietnam guys....

  • @tracevandyne9860
    @tracevandyne9860 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My dad was a sgt in usaf and a jet engine mechanic stationed in Da Nang. He loved the people and lived with Vietnamese colonel and family. He stayed as long as they would let him and was a great father to my brother and I. Alcoholism was his burden until the good lord freed him. Tremendous respect to Dad and Gary, thank you for your service, past and present. God bless!

  • @seventhsealhere
    @seventhsealhere 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Fantastic walk around! Love hearing about the history as well. Thank you for your service! 🇺🇲👍

  • @Tom-zd2vo
    @Tom-zd2vo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    What most of you don’t know is Gary is one of the best helicopter and airplane pilots to ever to fly. I had the privilege to fly for Gary many years. What he won’t tell you is, if there’s gonna be a fight, you need to hope he is in your side. If not, you’re gonna have a very bad day.
    Lastly, I am honored to know Gary and his family as family.
    Outstanding jog Gary!

  • @juice2090
    @juice2090 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Here after picking this beauty up on DCS. Always loved helicopters, but now I’m really getting into them. The more I learn the more I love them. This is an amazing video. Thank you so much for this. You can tell this man is a seasoned instructor: captivating with brevity and clarity. You can’t help but to pay attention.

  • @bradylinehan9104
    @bradylinehan9104 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Absolutely amazing story! Thank you for your service 🇺🇸

  • @Love4raine
    @Love4raine ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My father did 3 tours in Nam and he used to talk about these birds all the time !!! How the sound of them coming in low and VERY FAST and the distant thumping growing louder as 15-20 of these birds come roaring in one at a time barely hitting the ground picking him and his guys up in a hot LZ. While the gunships were lighting up the surrounding area like the Fourth of July . He always said he was scared until he heard the distant pounding of the Huey’s coming for them and when the arrived it was like gods angels arrived but when he was in that chopper he felt a little more safe.
    As for me well pops always said he wished I could get that experience in a Huey and know that feeling he tried to explain to me. Well I enlisted in the military and about a year later I was in the Middle East in desert storm. Well wouldn’t you know it the UH1 was there still fighting and flying stronger then before. I remember my second patrol we loaded up and off we went but I noticed a 3rd officer in the cabin with us. I plugged in my headset to the ceiling and listened in. The left seat was a LT Col. and the right seat and guy in back with us were new officers fresh out of helo school !! He was dipping their di

  • @Tom-zd2vo
    @Tom-zd2vo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    What most of you don’t know is Gary is one of the best helicopter and airplane pilots to ever to fly. I had the privilege to fly for Gary many years. What he won’t tell you is, if there’s gonna be a fight, you need to hope he is in your side. If not, you’re gonna have a very bad day.
    Lastly, I am honored to know Gary and his family as family.
    Outstanding jog Gary!

  • @rono108
    @rono108 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Gary, (WO Ret'd I assume sorry did not catch your rank), thanks for this great video, more importantly about sharing your story on the foggy mission to assit the link-up that saved boots on the ground. Bravo Zulu.

  • @alancordwell9759
    @alancordwell9759 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    What an amazing video! I hope Gary sees these comments and knows just how much we appreciate him sharing his experience and reminiscences!

  • @rickcentore2801
    @rickcentore2801 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    If anyone is unfamiliar with the rotor brake it is the gray handle and cylinder seen at 13:58. The brake itself is mounted on the transmission and is similar to an automobile brake rotor.

    • @danielbear3802
      @danielbear3802 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for that bit of information I was wondering what that grey handle was thought I missed him say that. But I guess he can't go through everything so thank you for that

  • @tomthompson7400
    @tomthompson7400 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    This guy is worth his weight in gold , and thats now , I can only thank him for his service.

    • @eflanagan1921
      @eflanagan1921 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Far too many brave men and women lost in wars for profit.

  • @josephperkins4163
    @josephperkins4163 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I really don’t have the right words to say to you Sir! I can just thank you for your service to your country, thank you for helping your fellow soldiers! You are a true hero! Thanks for doing this video!

  • @Billvagsayer
    @Billvagsayer 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you for your service sir! Great listening to your story and wishing I could hear from my brother. He passed away in a car crash back in 1990. He was a crew chief in the first air cavalry, Co. C 227th AHB.

  • @daveryan4353
    @daveryan4353 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks For Your Service Sir!!! You Are The Kind Of Pilots That Saved My And My A Team More Than Once . God Bless You !!! SFC. D.L. Ryan 7TH SF.GRP. Airborne Ret.

  • @angargoy7181
    @angargoy7181 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    *After watching the video and listening to your stories in the Bietnan and reading many of the comments about you, I have only one option left to give you my congratulations. Angel from Spain.*

  • @yamahonkawazuki
    @yamahonkawazuki 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    i thank you again for this detailed explanation i just listened to. some cannot talk about it, and i understand why. but thank you for reliving this for me, ( and the rest of us here. )

  • @fernandotiradobenitez3478
    @fernandotiradobenitez3478 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Saludos de un ex FAMET, UHEL-IV 1975 (unidad de helicópteros IV) UH 1H. España.

  • @garyluck8502
    @garyluck8502 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thanks for your service!

  • @markthompson4885
    @markthompson4885 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I am sorry it's a 42 degree Gearbox, I was UH-!H crewchief for over 10 years in the 70's and 80's. thank you for your story and your service.

    • @redrover9988
      @redrover9988 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I caught that mistake also. Worked on them while on Camp Eagle, Hue/Phu Bai, in mid 1968. H & C Models. We got some Cobras in late 68.

  • @Armafly
    @Armafly 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    My respects to this pilot/warrior. Great video. Thanks.

  • @DM-fs9zg
    @DM-fs9zg 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Really enjoyed it, I was infantry throughout the 80's and did spend some time with huey, always knew when she was coming. Might I also say God bless you and all that you guys did for us and this country, ya'll made a significant difference to a lot of boots on the ground, thanks so much for your service to this country.

  • @Aerosnapper
    @Aerosnapper 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Fascinating walk-around and the story at the end was icing ! Real heroes don’t brag, they just tell it like it was ...

  • @Snailmailtrucker
    @Snailmailtrucker 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Fantastic story Gary...You Pilots all Rock !
    I only got to deal with USAF Pilots...but you're all made of *The Right Stuff !*
    *Liked/Subscribed !*

  • @badgertheskinnycow
    @badgertheskinnycow 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Hi from a Brit Infantry veteran and thank you for this video.
    I was very lucky to visit the USA during my service and I got to fly in Huey's whilst based at Fort Lewis. That was a real privilege and a memory to cherish. We were told that the Huey's we flew in saw service in Vietnam which made our flights even more special. I am pleased I managed to take some photos whilst onboard to record the event.
    Hearing the story of how this pilot assisted those guys on the ground, risking everything, was emotional. I can only imagine how much they appreciated the help. That was courageous and kind.
    Looking back I have the same thought as this gentleman - the risks you take when you are 19 or in your twenties seem crazy with hindsight. Only the lucky ones find this out later in life.
    Thank you again.

  • @Snailmailtrucker
    @Snailmailtrucker 26 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I was an Aerial Combat Documentary Photographer in the USAF 1965/68.
    Best job in the US Military !
    Before going off to the Vietnam War in Aug. 1967, I was stationed at Vandenberg AFB Ca. and I flew on a lot of these older model Hueys taking Missile Launch Facilities Construction progress photos all across the base... Plus the Huey pilots would usually take a 2 hour flight up and down the coast of Calif so the Photographer with the door open could get some Great Pics of the young ladies Sunbathing on all of the Secluded Beaches !
    Like I said.... Best job in the US Military !

  • @JamesNewsomeCaiLeighAnna
    @JamesNewsomeCaiLeighAnna 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great video Gary and in particular your story of providing ground support for those two units and your return flight to base. My hat is off to all the pilots who flew in Vietnam. I flew over a hundred missions on a Huey as a courier for our intelligence units in the field, mostly at fire bases. I was an advisor (MACV) in Northern I Corp operating out of Hue. About a quarter of my missions were flown on Vietnamese piloted Hueys. I was never quite as comfortable with those pilots as our own guys. Most of our flights were pretty normal/non-exciting, but we did have quite a few harrowing adventures coming into fire bases in inclement weather. I was always amazed at those pilots dropping down out of the fog on top of a fire base which set on a mountain top. As Gary said, it was good to be 20 years old and unattached. Thanks Gary and all the Huey crews. You were an amazing bunch of soldiers.

  • @ChontichaW
    @ChontichaW 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    สวัสดีครับสวัสดีท่านช้าไปต้องขออภัยด้วยนะครับก็ดูแค่ผิวเผินภายนอกเล็กน้อยเท่านั้นเองครับขอบคุณท่านมากครับ

  • @donarmstrong5872
    @donarmstrong5872 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I'm a member of D troop 3/5 Cav and was with them from the end June 68 to the end of May 69. I was transferred from another unit operating out of Camp Holloway on Pleiku. When I was with D troop we were based out of Bear Cat " Camp Martin Cox" and then we moved to Dong Tam in the Mekong Delta on the My Tho river. We were called "The Bastard Cav" which is what it says on the ship.
    Now in the walk around he points out the wire cutters and then says we did not need them in Nam. On 08/15.68 ship UH-1D 66-00779 crashed after doing a wire strike on a run from Bear Cat to Bien Hoa. We lost 4 fine troops that day. The unit lost a total of 54 fine troops.

    • @kevinperrier7274
      @kevinperrier7274 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was with E-Recon 2/7 Cav in 70-71. We had a Bell Ranger hit a powerline on Dec 30 1970 as they were heading back to refuel. They were to fly cover for us as we floated in rubber rafts on the Dong Nai river. All aboard died in the crash.

  • @Micha_RS
    @Micha_RS ปีที่แล้ว +1

    WALK ARAUND FOR THE hELIKOPTER:: THIS UH1-sound over germany..Last flight over many miles..To the last stand...Heeresflieger

  • @dcb805
    @dcb805 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    From one vet to another Welcome Home

  • @dave-yj9mc
    @dave-yj9mc 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great video! and story! A couple of flares shot up at each end of the airstrip might have helped... lol

  • @rogerstaples8928
    @rogerstaples8928 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for sharing Gary I am sure you have many more creative adventures about Vietnam, I know I had my share, from a Huey CC out of camp Holloway 71-72, be well buddy............

  • @noproblemeow5623
    @noproblemeow5623 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for the tour Gary and for the story. Best tour I've seen of the start up process.

  • @enjoy110
    @enjoy110 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank You For Your Service Very Much Appreciated
    😇♥️✌️♥️😇
    Thanks For Sharing Erik
    Very Cool❣️

  • @country3608
    @country3608 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for your service and Video 🇺🇸⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🇺🇸👍
    So interesting!
    I love Heuy H-1’s
    I love the thump the single long blade made when it was out aways coming your way!!!!

  • @rdaugherty52
    @rdaugherty52 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Something amazing just happened when I was a young boy we use to go to the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville it was in the 60s there would always be helicopters and tanks my favorite things and the men there would let you sit in the copters I absolutely loved this and while watching this video I suddenly got the smell of the helicopter it stuck in my brain all this time thanks for showing this.

    • @ErikJohnston
      @ErikJohnston  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I know exactly what you mean. These old warbirds have a smell all their own. I love it

  • @Blackscorpion1963
    @Blackscorpion1963 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Excellent reference learning vid on the Bell Huey UH1 Vietnam War workhorse. There's no wonder narrator Gary Gingrich only few around 1,000 hours of combat flying...because I believe as he was so good he would make an excellent instructor and hence probably why he flew 4,000 hours of instructing...you can tell Gingrich knows his oats as he narrates during the excellent vid. He is intelligent. Mostly everything Gingrich focuses on is primarily related to one thing and one thing only; SAFETY. Man if I was part of the crew flying with Gingrich during the Vietnam War would I feel secure. Because Gingrich knows what he is doing - in precision too. Therefore going into combat with him at the controls, you'd feel totally secure that you were in good hands. And in that I bet his UH1 would have fought very well...the crew would end up being feared by the enemy. And in war that is precisely what the game is all about. That would mean that each time you flew a mission with Gringrich you would know the odds/chances of you succeeding in the mission would be fairly high...you would therefore feel CONFIDENT. And confidence in war is also a great thing. The whole crew under Gingrich's control would know the chances of returning to the air base where they originated from would not only be above average, they would be HIGH...That would make Gingrich's UH1 a highly skilled fighting unit. Watch out VC. At 21: 27 Gingrich begins his story of real combat in Vietnam. Even listening to him you know he is intelligent. He would have been a lethal weapon as a pilot of his Huey UH1 back then. There's only one outcome for the enemy in such conflict...so rather than stay and engage in combat with Gingrich if an enemy wanted to survive, the best course of action would have been to ? RUN TO THE TUNNEL and HIDE pronto.

  • @bandagefreak
    @bandagefreak 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The single best video I've seen on the Huey and it's operation. Thank you so much to both of you.

    • @ErikJohnston
      @ErikJohnston  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Our pleasure!

  • @donjohnson8649
    @donjohnson8649 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    OOps, this guy told us the 42 degree gearbox was 45 degrees........not true.. it is 42. Maybe he's just getting old and has CRS as, if he flew HUEYs in Vietnam he is likelier a tad older than I am (I turned 18 in Basic training in 1965), but then I only have somewhere between 5000 and 6000 hours in HUEYS (Mostly D & H models). Our early HUEYS had plastic windshields and THOSE were the ones that were bad to get scratched up by the wipers, ESPECIALLY if there was any dust/dirt on the window at all. Later the Army went to GLASS windshields, which were not so scratch prone.
    BTW, are you the Gary Gingrich that was in a UH-60 company with me in the 1980s? I can't tell after all these years!!

  • @pauldorland3679
    @pauldorland3679 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great story over Vietnam and a Nice learning moment of the Huey. Thanks form The NETHERLANDS. 👍👍👍👍

  • @StarrTile
    @StarrTile 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    *When I first got to Bragg it was mandatory to jump out of a huey, fuuuuuuun 👌👍*

  • @paulborys8147
    @paulborys8147 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice job on this video. Brought back a lot of memories. 1971..D Troop 1/10 CAV..Shamrock 68..there I was

  • @friendlyskiespodcast
    @friendlyskiespodcast 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    this makes so much more sense after playing DCS huey lol...great video, great explanations

  • @cornbread5144
    @cornbread5144 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    *** Security : " Sir, um - Please don't ... " Gary: "Son, I'm the reason you can drink that Starbucks and drive that Prius. I was doing 'Call Of Duty' for real - One Life, No Re-Spawns !" :) Great Video!

  • @jrn8774
    @jrn8774 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice video!! I did what you did Erik. I was married and had a baby boy, but "hung it out" too because I knew I was going home in a plastic bag. We were very focused/effective Soldiers.......and young.

  • @yamamushi
    @yamamushi 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is the coolest thing I’ve ever watched. It’s my dream to be able to just see one of these let alone ride in one.

  • @lindafoxwood78
    @lindafoxwood78 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wonderful review of the Huey! Thank you for your service.

  • @JordansTechJunk
    @JordansTechJunk 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Awesome to see this bird where she deserves to be! Would be nice to go into the interesting combat history of this particular Huey, how it was shot down, and served with different countries.

    • @ibubezi7685
      @ibubezi7685 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You can find it on: aircraft D.O.T. com/aircraft/190280223/n443zb-bell-uh-1h . Serial Number: 67-17238 More combat-history here:
      midamericaflightmuseum D.O.T. com/portfolio-items/uh-1huey/

  • @maxwiles825
    @maxwiles825 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Has anyone ever heard about a Huey colliding with a mine sweeper? In 1970 or 1971 I was stationed on a Mine Sweeper in the Gulf of Token, we were trying to medical evacuation of an old fisherman. When the chopper came low to the deck, we. Collided, with the chopper losing a rotor blade it immediately limped back to its base somewhere on shore. We later learned they made it with no injuries.
    When the collision happened I was holding onto its starboard skid of the Huey , which scared me greatly. Something I will always remember.🇺🇸⚓️

  • @jameshickey9393
    @jameshickey9393 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was Crew Chief 7/17th Air Cav. Plieku and An Son. ,I hated changing skid plates. There were 32 phillip head screw and yes I used a screw driver to remove and replace everyone. Had a small hydralic jack to lift skids off the ground.

  • @spo307
    @spo307 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Welcome home. Thank you for your service
    Great video. Alway been fascinated by hueys. I grew up Hearing many stories from my uncle hoping around nam in one. 1st infantry division 67-68. And then furthering learning about them reading the book chicken hawk

  • @johnnybravoBoyah
    @johnnybravoBoyah 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Fla forestry here, Our agency used hueys for water drops in fire suppression, ol Nam gov issue. Forestry painted them with our colors and shield. We Rangers on the ground could here them "ships coming miles away , the rotor sounds...😄🇺🇲

  • @jimi71smw
    @jimi71smw 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Shit, that was one hell of a story at the end! yeah it's amazing how brave we all are when we we're in our 20's. thank you for this video and your service sir, WELCOME HOME!!!!!!

  • @luuklinde1232
    @luuklinde1232 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Guys, if you like this helicopter and the history, be sure to read the book "chickenhawk" from Robert Mason...Ill guarantee you'll love it!!

  • @casst346
    @casst346 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Class Act..Talented Pilot and Soldier! Thanks for your service and sharing the video!

  • @markallen8679
    @markallen8679 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Had the pleasure of working with Grinch during his post military career, a non nonsense guy with loads of experience. Nice video, only correction I could make is the bumps on the nose are for IR sensors, we placed them on Hueys in the 70s when I was in the Cav at Ft Bragg. All the guys I flew with were Vietnam vets, great education.

  • @johnr8820
    @johnr8820 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Some will say the Blackhawk some will say Chinook some will say Apache…but this may just be the most iconic helicopter ever…

  • @robertmiley3551
    @robertmiley3551 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My Father was a Huey Pilot. CWO-4. Fort Campbell. 101st.

  • @bartacomuskidd775
    @bartacomuskidd775 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Arent those IR bubbles for plume detection? Or Radar warning receiver bubble?

  • @anandaabey7237
    @anandaabey7237 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you. You are very knowledgeable 👏👏👏👏🇦🇺

  • @johneskew3531
    @johneskew3531 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm looking for the course 67 810 I hadn't the Army in Fort Rucker everything from the bird dog to make sure it got the course-correct 67 A10 appreciate where to find a training films can be 16 mm they refine with me in the books if you got any books on the thing I lost them

  • @christophermcsherry2655
    @christophermcsherry2655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Awesome video! I could listen to him all day. My dad was a UH-1 crew chief in Vietnam, 2 tours. Sadly he passed away recently so I can no longer hear his stories. Thanks for posting.