Summer of 19 - #38 - U.S.Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker

Tuesday October 22nd, 2019
We decided to go and look around the Army Aviation Museum here at Fort Rucker. It has the largest collection of helicopters in the world.

There was a nice entrance with seats to rest on.  We needed that when we had finished.

It was a nicely organized museum.

Foyer

"The Wright Flyer constructed for the United State Army in 1911 was a significantly altered version of the Wright’s first “A” Model Flyer. Relocation and reconfiguration of the elevator surfaces and the addition of duel controls resulted in a more stable, useful platform. Wheels replaced the catapult launching system that the Wrights had used since 1904. This was the first “flying machine” contracted for by the United States Army and included design considerations that dictated to the builders based on Army needs."

The Wright Flyer

"Louis Bleriot was pioneering flight in Europe at the same time as the Wright brothers in America. His design is considered the first practical monoplane, and has the distinction of being the first aircraft to cross the English Channel. This aircraft had very little in the way of control surfaces- having minimal elevation and rudder control in the tail section, and some control through “wing warping” the tips of the main wing. This example of the Bleriot XIII design is one of the first know replicas of the type style, having been constructed in the 1930’s."

"The Nieuport 28C-1 was developed in mid-1917, and by early 1918, the French Air Service rejected it as a front-line fighter, however, it was given to the arriving American squadrons. It was the first operational pursuit aircraft in the U.S. Air Service, and the first fighter to serve with an American unit under American command in support of United States troops."

"The Sopwith F.1 “Camel” accounted for more aerial victories than any other Allied aircraft during World War I. Credited with destroying 1, 294 enemy aircraft, it was called the Camel due to the humped fairing over the twin machine guns."

"The first fixed wing aircraft seriously field tested by the Army was a standard, off-the-shelf, Piper J-3 "Cub" equipped with tandem seating and basic, simplified equipment adequate to supply the needs of the Civilian"

There was a small section of guns.

Vickers Machine Gun

Maxim Machinegun

No, I won't shoot!!! 😉

Lewis Gun

There was a section dedicated to Igor Sikorsky, a pioneer in aircraft design, especially helicopters.

"The Sikorsky R-4B was the first production model of a fully functioning flight controlled helicopter. The R-4B was used in the Pacific Theater only during World War II."

"Almost immediately after the R-4 was in production, the R-5 was being designed to provide a more substantial platform. It retained the forward cabin, predominantly Plexiglas, the three-bladed main rotor, and the anti-torque tail roto was moved to the left side of the tail boom. Twenty-one R-5A helicopters were converted to the R-5D’s. This conversion included the addition of an external rescue hoist, and auxiliary fuel tank and an increase in engine power."

LINK to SE5 details

                            

"This C-34 helicopter was taken from the Army inventory and became the first helicopter assigned to the White House. After a series of modifications performed at the Sikorsky factory it became a VCH-34, designated as "Army One" and put in service for the purpose of transporting President Dwight Eisenhower"

"In 1953, Sikorsky designed the H-37 to fulfill a U.S. Marine Corps requirement for an assault transport helicopter capable of lifting 23 fully equipped troops. The Army conducted trial tests at Fort Rucker on the H-37 capabilities as a transport/cargo helicopter. These tests resulted in acquisition of the CH-37 “Mohave into the Army’s inventory.

"The CH-47A designed by Boeing Vertol was selected by the Army in 1959 to fill the need for a transport helicopter. The tandem rotor "Chinook" has a dead-lift capability in excess of 15,000 pounds of external cargo and is designed to transport a 33 man platoon and their equipment. The cargo bay is also capable of carrying light vehicles, and can be configured to provide medical transport of up to 24 stretchers."

Inside Boeing Vertol

Inside Boeing Vertol

Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche

"Razors Edge - This is an exclusive special operations variant of the UH-60L known as a DAP (Direct Action Penetrator) In 1993 Super 68 participated in Operation Gothic Serpent and was one of three Blackhawk helicopters to be shot down during the incident known as The Battle of Mogadishu."

CloseUp of Razors Edge

"The UH-1 is a military helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army’s requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew on 20 October 1956. Ordered into production in March 1960, the UH-1 was the first turbine-powered helicopter to enter production for the United States military. The original designation of HU-1 led to the helicopter’s nickname of Huey. In September 1962, the designation was changed to UH-1, but the name Huey remained in common use."

"The Army procured the Hiller 360 helicopter and gave it the designation of H-23. It was used almost exclusively as the primary rotor wing trainer at Camp Wolters, Texas, at the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School. The “Raven” was also used extensively during the Korean Conflict. The twin litters with full aerodynamic covers made it the desired vehicle for front-line medical evacuations until the arrival of the OH-13."

"The H-19 “Chickasaw” was produced by Sikorsky as a utility transport. It was a significant increase in capability over the H-5. The large radial engine in the nose left the main cabin below the flight deck open for as many as 10 passengers. This was the first medium cargo helicopter in the Army inventory and saw extensive use during the Korean Conflict for troop transport, cargo/supply missions, and medical evacuation."

Raven UAV

For those of you who don't know, Bryan went into the Air Force with the intent of being a PJ (ParaRescue). Unfortunately, a prior knee injury ruled him out of that and into a jet aircraft mechanic.  It was fortunate for us though, as we would probably never have met if he had been a pararescue man. 😊

Medical Chopper

Two "Stewarts" are honored in the Army Aviation Hall of Fame here, one still living and the other deceased.

The first was Brigadier General Robert L Stewart, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.  Here is a LINK that gives details of his career and achievements.

The second was COL Harvey E Stewart, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.  Here is a LINK that gives details of his career and achievements.

There were a lot of interesting stories about the people honored here.  I selected this one out of the rest to share.

Major Marie T. Rossi-Cayton, the first female Aviation Commander to fly into combat during Desert Storm.  

Here is a LINK that gives details of her career and achievements.

                           

Vietnam Memorial Statue

There were family names listed at the Army Aviation Vietnam Memorial as well.  They are not relatives as far as we know.

1LT Al Koon

and 3 Stewarts

We walked up to the second floor where you had a good view of the lobby from above.

I like this painting

Peek-A-Boo. Up Up and Away in more ways than one. 😜

and the exhibits below.

Such a lot to see

While we were up there a ceremony started below us. It could have been a promotion, leaving for a new assignment, or a retirement.  I wanted to take a picture, but didn't want to intrude.  It's always amazing to me how these ceremonies are so full of pride and respect.  They make you feel very humble. We have been honored to be able to attend such ceremonies for both Bryan and now Ryan and they always bring a lump to my throat.

Back outside there were some outside displays that Bryan went and looked around, while I sat on a bench in the sun.

DH-6 Caribou

F-107

P-3 Orion

T-39 Sabreliner

T-37 Tweet

Ch-47

T-42 Cochise

Sorry this is such a long post. There was so much here and it was difficult to choose.  There's so much more I could have posted. Be thankful that this is it, ha!!ha!!