Seawolf 324 is back home.

The recovery crew returned to Lakeside last night, about midnight, with Seawolf 324 on the trailer. Disassembly and loading at Angle Fire, NM went smooth using a local boom truck. Guns and rockets were removed to keep the overall width within highway limits.

The crew reported many waves, horns and people taking photos during the drive back to Arizona along Interstate 25 and 40 through Albuquerque.

Here are some photos taken this morning at Overseas Aircraft Support during the unloading.

Dave Renner operating the boom truck to lift Seawolf 324 while the trailer is driven forward.

Now Seawolf 324 is tucked in with the bigger UH-1H Super Hueys along the edge of the OAS ramp. All the guns and rockets have been removed and stored. Next step, remove the transmission and find the source of the vibrations that ended our trip to Oshkosh.

July 25, more photos

First photo was taken at Show Low Airport in Arizona just prior to departure. Seawolf with all guns and rockets, ready to depart for Oshkosh.



This photo was taken at the landing site near Black Lake, just south of Angle Fire, NM. Diana sitting in the cockpit, Scott sitting in the crew seat taking a break. At this point we are trying to troubleshoot our high freq. vibration problem. Transmission oil lines and hydraulic pump lines have the highest vibration levels.

During the long cross-country flights, the dual M60 and .50 cal door guns were removed and stowed inside so we could fly with doors closed.

Here is the bucket slowly filling as we drain the transmission oil. If you look closely you can see a few of the "cow pies" that were all around and under the helicopter.

The rancher's pasture we landed in was by chance located near the home of Larry Holst, who is a Vietnam Vet, has been around helicopters all his life, loves the Huey, and came to help us within minutes of landing. He loaned us one of his vehicles to use and helped in so many ways over the next several days. Where we landed there is no cell phone coverage, so we went over to Larry's house to use his phone. He even came out during the night to check on the helicopter.

Angel Fire airport is at an elevation of 8,380 ft. The site we landed at was slightly higher, around 8,700 ft. Heavy rain every afternoon with low clouds and cool temperatures.

The helicopter will be loaded on a trailer and returned to Arizona this week.

July 24 The End for this trip.

Here is a photo of the helicopter sitting in a rancher's pasture where we landed near Black Lake, NM. Black Lake is about 8 miles south of Angel Fire, NM airport where we were heading after hearing some strange noises from the transmission area. The noise got worse, so we parked the bird here.

After several ground runs to try and locate the problem, and talking to home base back in Arizona, they sent us a hydraulic pump. This morning it arrived by plane and we installed it right away. The next ground run resulted in the same vibrations and noise, plus we got a XSM CHIP LIGHT on the Master Caution Panel.

So the trip to Oshkosh and AirVenture 2010 ends here today. The UH-1B will ride home on a trailer and the crew has also returned, some by ground, some by air.

To all the Seawolves who we wanted to meet along the way, and who were going to fly with us in this restored gunship, I am very sorry that we had to end the journey today. But better safe, on the ground, to be repaired to fly another day.

Larry Clark

Leaving for Oshkosh.

Ready for departure tomorrow morning for Oshkosh.

Radios on the left side of the pedestal are the modern ones we use to fly the helicopter. Those can be removed when we put the helicopter on display.


All spit polished and ready to go.

July 21 UPDATE

Here are some new photos taken today. First, in the hangar, Ray and Scott are installing the gun kit mounts.



This photo taken outside on the ramp. More gun mounts being installed. Notice the DUAL M-60 machine guns and loaded rocket pods.
Here is the mini-gun is mounted, dual M-60s and rocket pods on the port side.

More flying today, doors open, gunners in the seats and final configuration. The good news, we move Seawolf 324 to the airport hangar and the floor is dry under the helicopter....NO LEAKS in any of the systems. The bird is ready to leave for Oshkosh on Friday morning.

Route of flight, Show Low to Albuquerque, to Raton, NM, to Lamar, CO, to McCook, NE for overnight. Then Saturday to Kearney, NE and Fremont, NE. Sunday Ames, IA and Oshkosh, WI.

July 20 update.

More of the gun kit has arrived. Some parts are being painted.

Mounted on the helicopter for flying tomorrow and new photos.

July 16 Update

Out flying Seawolf today, just to put some hours on the engine and make sure everything is working OK. Getting ready to leave next Friday for AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI.

Photos by Scott Curtis.

More of the gun kit arrives on Monday (rockets, mini gun, etc.). Will be taking some high res. air-to-air photos next week with all the armament installed.