How Much To BUY a Huey Helicopter In THAILAND 2022 ? (Bell UH-1 Helicopter)
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- čas přidán 20. 06. 2022
- Thailand 2022 and I stumble across a huey helicopter off highway 1 in Nakhon Sawan province Thailand. Being an avid history fan I stop to take a look, find out the price and give a brief background into Thailand’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict. Links below.
Cheun owner - tel. (66)0899578234 (Thai language)
Google map link - goo.gl/maps/AVitxC8A5VnRsAJ27
Huey for sale post/advert (maybe sold) - silodrome.com/bell-huey-helic...
#thailand2022 #huey helicopter
Hi guys, it's rotor blades, not propellers and got my copilot/pilot chairs mixed up, oh well. Would be great to hear any stories/experiences regarding this aircraft. All the best.👍🍺
Pilot flew from the right seat as you first said, copilot on left. The pilot kept his hand on the cyclic stick between his knees, so the he could change radio frequencies, or operate other controls, with his left hand, while the collective control could be held in place where he set it for flight with a friction adjustment. Back in the 1960s and engine was about $50,000 and the whole helicopter was under $200,000. Multiply those figures by probably 10 for a price today.
I thought I was correct from looking at old footage on YT. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge, appreciate it.👍🍻
Rotary wing pilots did a right hand landing pattern as opposed to fixed wing doing a left hand pattern. The pilot sat on the side that gave him the best visual of the landing when turning from base to final approach.
@@rj8288: Right-hand pilot also gives a better view if one loses control of the tail rotor. The helo would turn to right until recovering or starting an autorotation, so you can better see where the aircraft is turning..
RIght-o. Also the "joystick" (aircraft attitude) is properly called the cyclic. The lever to the left (power/rotor pitch) is called the collective. Pedals control pitch of the tailrotor for yaw (nose left-right) control. You'd just refer to them that way, as in "give it more left pedal."
I crewed Hueys for 11 years in the US Army in Germany, the US and during Operation Just Cause in Panama and Desert Storm in the middle east. Working on UH60 Blackhawks now for the Army as a contractor. Helicopters are still paying my rent. 😎
Hey tiger, I was a Huey CE too for 14 years. Are there any contractor jobs in Thailand?
That's awesome, I bet you have some great stories too. Thank you for your service.
@@dave-yj9mc Thailand is phasing out there remaining Hueys. We had a group of RTA generals in recently, shopping for some more Bell 429’s and possibly some 412’s (4 blade / Twin engine version of the Hueys). What part of Thailand are you in? I’m retiring hopefully in October, and will be living up in the north by Lampang.
Another brainwashed American military personnel who thinks he's a hero will really it's a family killer
Wanted to crew Blackhawks or Chinooks when I enlisted, thought it'd be a good stepping stone for WOFT. Unfortunately, failed color vision at MEPS; ended up going Air Force JAG.
My dad was a Dustoff pilot in Vietnam, 1965 - 66. He rarely spoke about it, but I'll never forget how shaken up he seemed after we went to see "Apocalypse Now" in a theater the first month it came out. He was kind of pinned to his seat, even after the credits ended and the lights came up. Of course, he stoically shook that off and carried on...
There was a lot in that film to stick anyone to his seat, combat experience or not!
A real dustoff pilot was a seriously gigantic balled mofo. he deserved a LOT more than he got. and pulled off miracles to boot! Great book out there called Dead Men Flying.
As I'm writing this, I'm standing in a spot at the Bell Helicopter plant in Hurst (Fort Worth), Texas, where every Vietnam-era Huey came off the production line. Cool video. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, so the Bell plant is in the H-E-B area west of Dallas?
I worked on the UH-1H in Vietnam. The man pointed to the area of the transmission in the aft part of the cabin, and said that is where the engine goes. Wrong. The engine sits above on the enclosed deck and behind the transmission. It would be a Lycoming T53-L14A with 1400 horsepower. The other helicopter is an Enstrom.
Thanks for the info. really appreciate it.👍
A UH-1H has a T53-L13B ....
@@huey-fan8335 Well it has been 50+ years, so I was off by one.
I wondered if the roof-chopper was an Enstrom. It looked like one, but seemed too small. Maybe a homebuilt version based on it?
I hear the H model and the B model were the only ones that dustoff pilots liked. those guys were amazing from what i read.
Brings back fond memories. I never felt unsafe riding in a Huey, unlike the early days of the CrashHawks. They fixed the BlackHawk issues and now it has proven very safe and reliable. My last flight in a Huey was in 1986 from Fort Knox, Ky. Went on to ride many more missions in the BlackHawks and Chinooks till the mid 90s. Still love the sound of Huey it is so distinctive. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, and the Cobra sounds similar, but has an angry growl to it.
I read that there are things a huey could do that a blackhawk could only dream of doing. those death spiral inserts had to be a sight to see.
Best Vietnam combat helicopter book I ever read was "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason. FLY NAVY!!!
Snake Pilot by Randy Zauhn was a great book too.
I've read it several times, an eye opener for certain.
Yupp
Same here…I have to also recommend reading, “LOW LEVEL HELL”.
L.B.J.'s hired gun (Marine Corps door gunner on a Huey) . Also Blue Max Missions & Memories, N.G. Brown (ARA /221 AHB), Was more very good reading. Many of these books can be read thru the "book loan" program at your local public library.
The helicopter on top of the bus is an Enstrom F28 Falcon. It has the "smooth" top and the wide air fins below and behind the exhaust port which seems to be covered. The 280FX will have the duel scoop air intakes on top that kind of dome it and they have a longer set of finely spaced air fins on the side
Cheers, thanks for the info mate.👍
PISTON ??
@@BattShytKuhraezy yes
There was a National Guard Huey Medical Squadron on the base I was stationed at in California, back in the late 70's. They use to let me ride with them all the time. Used to sit in the side gunner seat(no guns mounted) with the side doors open. Great fun.
My father flew these in Vietnam. He has some pretty cool stories about flying in general. We don't discuss the war much though but I don't blame him, I doubt it's something any veteran of that war likes to do. God Bless all who had to fight in that war. So many of us appreciate you.
"The engine goes there", nope, the transmission goes there, old Huey crewchief here, 67-69, I worked on them mostly in field maintenance, took them apart and put them back together. 50 years later I could still take one apart just from memory.
I've seen a few more along the same highway that one has been moved now. Excuse my ignorance I know nothing about helicopters but find them very interesting LOL. 👍🍺
thanks man, you guys did good over there. i WISH i could play with one. every once in a while i see one flying fighting wildfires in norcal.
Tune in to next weeks episode where we find out how much it costs to buy a Black Hawk helicopter in Afghanistan!
Probably got showrooms full of them. 😁👍🍺
Most underrated comment of the decade!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣FJB!!!
I flew them in US Army flight school ('83). Amazing this one still has all the instruments and avionics, although no engine. Cool find!
Cheers mate. Always stumble across interesting things in Thailand. 👍🍺
Paid $91,000 for mine in 2003,thats for a well used one,but still serviced with log books and flyable.😮
You gotta good deal mate.😁👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 not really,if you look at the cost of parts it's expensive as hell.
For a B205?
Would be interested in cost per hour of operation
Im sure old Thai boy was amenable to some negotiating if you got cash on the barrel head so to speak.
Mate in 1993 whilst I was making a documentary film in Vietnam I was offered a crashed Huey with no engine for $5,000. I seriously considered it to try to ship it back to UK but money was too tight then so didn't take the bargain. Great vlog again.
Quite a story mate. An iconic collectable now. Not sure how you'd get it on your roof.😁👍
Interesting to learn that Thai soldiers also fought in Vietnam. Thanks for the research.
Yep, find this kind of stuff interesting. Might have to do a Kanchananburi trip someday.👍🍺
South Koreans ,Australians & New Zealanders also all fought in Vietnam
@@BROOKS39 Ironically lots of West Indians also served in the US army back then it was a quick way to a Green card & US citizenship, i recall a local guy in the Trinidad Coast Guard who was a Helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and was flying Gazelle Helicopters.
Kanchanaburi is fascinating.The war graves are kept immaculate and i saw Thai schoolkids being shown around. The Jeath museum is quite sobering.
@@michaelsamuel9917
Speaking of irony; lots of Canadians served in the US Army at a time that many Americans crossed the border to avoid service. Not picking on anyone, just sayin’!
62,000 Australian's served in Vietnam , 514 KIA.
🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
I met an American Vietnam vet in Thailand back in 2009. It was at the border near Cambodia, he went gambling there, was married to a Thai wife, he lived in Bangkok since the war ended
That's awesome! you speak great Thai too by the way. And I had no idea Thai forces also fought in the Vietnam war 👍🏼 I have a military surplus Army HMMWV but had to leave it behind. Can't get it into Taiwan, yet there's a guy that has one for sale in Taiwan at his offroad dealership, he won't reveal how he go it though. The US gov sold about 500 HMMWVS to Taiwan over the years, though I have no idea how you'd navigate their twisting mountain roads in one
Cheers, yes, loads of old army surplus gear here in Thailand.👍🍺
I used to work on the UH-1N and UH-1Y back in the Marine Corp days. It was very cool. My OIC gave me a ride once in Iraq. Such a blast.
Given the fact that it has been residing in a somewhat tropical area for what would be a quantity of years ,short of a near complete airframe teardown and inspection , about the only thing this machine would be worthy of now is display /museum piece, I dare say corrosion would be lurking in some not easily accessible places
I'm a former Air Force heavy aircraft maintainer and would bet the house this would cost on the order of 10 times the purchase price to have a chance at being airworthy again.
I was with the 7 th infantry divisions at Fort Ord in the early 70’s and we used to love flying in these baby’s especially after walking 12 miles with a full rucksack 🤣🤣 the sound of these babies coming to get you was the best sound at the time.
Thanks for sharing mate. Used to hear them often before they were decommissioned here. Very distinct sound and always made me think of the Vietnam conflict. All the best.👍🍺
I was at fort ord in 1975... but for basic training and ait
James we like you’re videos . Keep going.
I flew in these on several different occasions while in Viet Nam as a grunt in the USMC 1968 -1972. The distinct pop pop pop sound of the rotors was a welcome sound since it meant help was coming or we were getting the hell outta dodge. Yup, I was boocoo dinky dau back in those days as the Vietnamese use to say.
spent many happy hours in these at 5sqn , happy days. did not know back then how i would miss them now.
Great video James surprising what you can find here in Thailand
Cheers Barry, appreciate it mate.👍🍺
I’ve always wanted to fly a Helicopter! The coolest machine ever invented!
I had a '57 Willy's Jeep years ago when I lived on Koh Chang. Loads of fun.
Yes, seen quite a few of those, look great fun.👍🍺
You would not to want to buy one unless you have deep pockets. If you do then you would buy a flying one. I worked army depot for awhile. To make it safe to fly it has to be torn apart and all the metal structure would need inspection and repair. Many man hours and you still have to get the critical parts like a engine and the avionics. For us poor people just a fantasy.
amazing what one finds in breakers yards!!!!...............great find and nicely compiled vid....................................... small one on the bus roof reminds me of a legless locust..!!!.............................do love a bit of random.....................
Cheers, yes this channel is quite random lol.👍🍺
The Tank and Chinook shown at 2:34 are actually in the Vietnam Military Museum in Saigon (Ho Chi Min City). I have walked around them both.
The small copter on top of the bus looks like an old Enstrom trainer. Maybe an early ‘70’s F-28. The second helicopter I ever flew in after the Bell 47G
As iconic as the Willy's Jeep, nice find 👌
I love the thump thump sound of the huey
Entertaining and amusing. What fun. Thanks.
Cheers Rex.👍
That has to be the 1st "huey for sale " (in Thailand) vid on the interweb, mate you're a genius.
Haha, not sure about the genius mate, but find this stuff fascinating so hopefully others do too. All the best.👍🍺
Good video and info about the war
Cheers, appreciate it.👍🍺
I miss that bird we in the US Army used them all the way up to the Gulf War, not sure how long after they were decommissioned. Mark19 Grenade Launchers worked really good in the gun door mounts, along with MA Duces (M2 Machine Gun)
Will they take a company check?
Harrison Ford will write the check
Another great vlog, I,ve passed a few similar places across Thailand and often wanted to find out more..I was hoping to see the land rover but it looked more like a jeep..at one point was keen to buy an ex military jeep from a dealer in Yasothon until I drove it and realised just how uncomfortable it was..
Cheers, yes, certainly not built for comfort lol. All the best.👍🍺
Almost 13 years on flight status as a crew chief in the national guard. 1000 hours all in Hueys. What a great bird to fly in.
Cool Video Mate,
"Thankyou"
Cheers mate, glad u liked it.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 "Awesome" Thankyou
Nice video. I was born in 69' I love flying these birds. Maybe I died in one over there. But DCS a flight Simulator, I fly one every day. And of you guys want to fly in a simulator, Digital Combat Flight Simulator is the way to go. Much fun. And there's a SAR server too in caucuses, kinda lazy on updating it, but when it's up you can rescue people and also supply and also fight fires. I use same name there. Maybe we will see you guys. Thank you for your service gentlemen.
Masterpiece Presentation
Wow, thanks.👍🍺
In Alaska we had the old Chinooks stress cracks and all on the glacier
The little one on top of the bus is an Enstrom f-28A.
The helicopter on top of the bus is an Entrom... It was the first helicopter I personally flew and trained in...
The small helicopter is an Enstrom. Made in Menomonie Michigan. They still make them too.
I flew 1,955 combat hours in Huey's (and gunships) in Vietnam - 1968~1970. Prior to that, I was a qualified helicopter mechanic. The one above has no engine. The price he's asking is nonsense. What condition are both the main and tail rotor blades? Is there still a transmission inside the housing? Beyond some missing circuit breakers, the instrument panel looks complete - But. Do any of the instruments and radios still work? Having a "shell" is one thing...a flyable helicopter another. I would tread very carefully on this one. John
The helicopter has been sold or moved on now but yes with no engine I think the price was way too high but with everything in Thailand all things are negotiable. Thank you for your comment.👍🍺
In US aircraft the Pilot's seat position is on the left as you enter the cockpit. Being Australian or British your pilot is on the right seat.
Looks like it’s actually in pretty good shape
Hi James. The yellow one looks like an Enstrom F-28F or 280FX
Cheers, yes, that seems to be the general consensus.👍🍺
I believe it's the F-28. the 280FX has a domed top with twin air intakes
I worked for Cal Fire we used them for fighting wild fires in California we refurbished everything and now they are UH-1H Super Huey’s I was a structural repairman I performed heavy work on the Huey’s I also did 27 years active duty military
Our FD (Ventura Co.) bought 4 Huey's from government surplus in the mid '70's for $1 each.... and an operational Huey from the Utah National Guard for $300. That was the beginning of a now 6 ship air fleet that flys SH70 Firehawks.
I worked at VCSD too. HH1H UH1H 205 B and the 212. retired out 12 years ago ... Is James still flying?
@@user-jq2rf4nf3o
I don't think so.... I retired 14 yrs ago.
Talked to James at the harbor 2 years ago.
212 & S 70 training , Got a lot of stick time -
I wonder if they're looking for pilots, Retired the wrenches but not the stick wiggling @@mikefargo4339
Flew in one of these while in the Navy, I think you will find the turbine is missing in that one lol. The one I flew in scared the heck out of me, we'd be flying sideways of a cliff and the pilot is hitting the main console trying to turn off the warning lights for main rotor gearbox and turbine failure.
I flew UH-1H’s in Vietnam, 69-70. The same model here. The other helicopter is an Enstrom F-28A.
I was a UH-1D-H mechanic in Vietnam 69-70 for the First Cav. I flew all the test flights after maintenance in our unit. These models were very easy to work on...all except the hydraulics in the 'hell-hole'. Never enjoyed that. Good memories and good video...thanks!
the radio panel has one of the radio heads in upside down lol.. but i worked on the avionics and comms on many of those in the army while stationed in germany in the late 80's and early 90's. Shame its missing the engine and a lot of other equipment that i could see
Ha ha well spotted. Probably been well messed around with over the years lol.👍🍺
I was 67N Huey Crew Chief in Central America during the Iran Contra wars.
I also enjoy stopping and looking around at these eccentric collections in Thailand. The wife not so much. Found an old US Navy bus in P-lok.
Yes, I like anything to do with history. Better than walking around Big C.👍🍺
It all depends on the engine condition and time… and time on parts, like blades.
Helicopters prices cannot be determined by just looking at them… to get it safely flying could cost $1 million.
Every bit of it
If you look at video 6:50 engine looks to have been removed. Not surprised he or someone got good money for the engine. Might be able to make a static display out of it like he did in a museum clean it up paint everything make it look new again lot cheaper than trying to make it air worthy. Cheaper to just buy one flying already.
I think it's a '69. Crewed those for MANY years. Was seriously a sad day when they finally took our last one away.
When I was young I had many trips in these old Huey’s out to offshore oil rigs. 🚁
Don't see them flying now. Very distinct sound, felt like a war movie when they flew over our house.👍🍺
After the war in Vietnam Thai still have to fight with Communist within Thailnand until mid 80's. We have communist that took control of many areas especially in the mountains. A lot of people dies. The King of Thailand always go with the army and help develope something helping the people in order to change them and it became very success a lot of Communist converted. That's why we have school, hospital, free land for farming, almost everywhere.
Yes, my wife's Uncle fought on the border. Some interesting stories.👍🍺
It was made in 1969. The left jump door is open so you can't see the stenciled writing for the year and aircraft #, but it's on the dash. 69-15885. Army 885. Someone should be able to track down which units it was assigned to.
Yes, would be interesting to know more history.👍
I used to have an old 54 power wagon like one next to huey
Would love to be able to acquire one of these!! My father spent 45 years in the military and spent some time on these aircraft
Quite a few here in Thailand. I've recently seen another one further back on the same highway.👍
Fantastic content, keep up the good work....🙂
Cheers Andrew, appreciate it mate.👍🍺
As N ex Army aviation maintenance officer, I assure you that the 60+ K one is no bargain. The airworthy one at 90+ K is the much better deal.
I was a Vietnam Huey pilot. The a/c sat in the left seat and the fng sat in the right seat. Neat video though,
Where were you based? , yes sorry, very clueless about helicopters.👍
@@jamesabroad8589 Everywhere south of Saigon called 4 Corps. Home was Vinh Long.
By the way l just left Thailand last month, hope to be back soon.
@@trevorsmith7753 a/c aircraft commander, fng fu#king new guy = co-plot
Love that, thanks.👍🍺
I used to fly a Kawasaki kh4 that was a Thai police training helicopter
The best sounding chopper ever. 🇬🇧
Yep ,used to hear them a lot here in Tak until they were decommissioned.👍🍺
cheapest flying condition in the u.s is $340k
This one will cost you that again to repower it, and that again to finish the restoration...assuming the airframe is airworthy in the first place.
How'd that guy end up with an in tact huey to begin with? Lol usually they are completely picked clean including the avionics. Im not sure what the flight worthiness of it is but it'd definitely be cool to own or turn into a simulator.
The helo on top of the bus is an Enstrom
Aside from the engine missing, no soundproofing and the wiring hacked out, it would take you a month to get that thing ready to crash.
Mr. Cheun was taking advantage of the farung.
Kao chai mai?
I would buy it, motorise the blades so they spin slowly then and put it on top of a bar / backpackers and call the place "The LZ". Add couple of spotlights and an external speaker to play music out of, as in Apoc Now, it would look amazing, what an eye grabber!
Sounds great. This one has gone but have found another one just outside Bangkok with engine. will be in the next vid.👍🍺
Looks to be in rough shape take lot of work, and money to make it air worthy again. Might make a good static display.
If you like Hueys, you MUST read Chickenhawk by Robert Mason. It’s a harrowing account of the life of a Huey pilot in Vietnam.
Yes, will check that out. Others commented on that book also. Cheers.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 I read it when I was 19 yrs old (34yrs ago!) and it shocked me. Being from Europe, Vietnam war knowledge was limited to TV drams such as Tour of Duty and films like Hamburger Hill, FMJ and Platoon etc. I thought Platoon was brutal but this book actually shook me up!
Multiple Hueys and Slicks flying across a sunset with Fortunate Son playing in the background is a distracting and misleading cliché, war for those guys brutal at best! Any Vietnam vets reading this, gents, you have my upmost respect!
@@ravusursi893Fortunate Son.
Cool he made Quonset huts from airplane airframes.
No engine, that’s a big chunk of the value. Co pilot does sit on the left. It’s a cyclic not a stick. The other control is the collective. These aircraft were mostly retired due to low remaining component times.
I always wonder how much importing things like this would cost? ,I am pretty sure these are a ITAR thing .
The other helicopter is a very early Enstrom Shark. The only thing that Huey is worth is scrap Aluminum, unless you have a couple million dollars to throw at it. It would have to be completely restored. Too many old, life limited parts that need to be thrown in the trash, although it already looks pretty stripped.
The helicopter on top of the bus is an Enstrom F-28 & 280FX (piston engine).
Thanks for the confirmation mate.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589 My pleasure. Greetings from Mexico City and thanks for your video, very nice.
The helo on the bus is an Enstrom American made
Video is good , if there is close captions
The one on top of the bus I think is an Enstrom Helicopter
I'm an aviation mechanic and know some about operational aircraft and this is so far from being ready to fly. I think it could be worth around 300,000 THB at best.
Yes true, It was sold or moved not long after taking the video. Not sure the final price though.👍
So, i looked up the requirements from the FAA to get one imported something i have never googled before 😂
Its surprisingly not a lot.
Want an experience? Go to the airbase that serves Utapao. I’ve flown in there many times and always got the creeps! I’m dead serious, the hairs stood up on the back of my neck almost every time I was there. I don’t believe in ghosts or the bogey man but I swear you can hear whispers form the dead.
Sounds interesting.👍🍺
@@jamesabroad8589the civilian airport?
The whit3 helicopter one looks like an Enstrom Shark..!
Back in NZ the local anti drug department used a Huey to aerially patrol to country side in search of marijuana then haul it to disposal once found. I believe they're still being operated
The RNZAF retired it’s Huey’s around 2015 It was operating some that had entered service in 1966… Replaced with the NH90 most of the airframes were sold to a company in Fargo USA in 2016 for spares.
Pass on the Huey, but I'd jump on that baby blue Honda C90 SuperCub to take back to the states. 3:29
I think it could be good for a museum
Thats one of the better/more powerful models but its missing its lycoming T-53 engine. I think the UH-1H started showing up in south east asia around 1969 and mostly replaced the UH-1D models with a diesel engine.
Thanks for the info. mate, appreciate it.👍🍺
The UH-1D also used the Lycoming T53 engine which was the L11 verses the H model used the T53-L13 engine both were gas turbine engines using military JP4 or civilian Jet A fuel
@@wnmech6495 Ah, you're right. Not sure where I got the diesel from but just remember pilots saying you always knew an old UH-1D pilot from a UH-1H pilot because they were usually better able to to achieve ground effect under max load. In a UH-1D you had to know how to do it because they were under powered. But by the time the UH-1H came around they added enough power for all the typical situations. But sometimes you'd get into a bad LZ and everybody would panic climb onto the biggest target around wanting to get out there as fast as possible. Because everything would happen so fast sometimes you'd be over weight and that is when you wanted somebody in the right seat who was familiar flying the older UH-1Ds. Everybody I've ever heard from said the UH-1Hs were a welcome upgrade.
@@dustsmoke werent the Ds pigs cuz they lengthened them and didnt put in bigger engines?
And the problem with buying anything like that in Thailand is you can't get them out of the country.....My friend has 2 WW2 jeeps...and he can't sell them because of issues getting them out..
I think the one on top of the bus is a Bell 470
The one on the roof is an Enstrom.
The helicopter on top of the yellow bus looks like an Enstrom helicopter 😊❤👍
Cheers Clarence 👍 🍺
Yeah, looks like some of that stuff may have been sitting a while.
Can you use an old helo mechanic?