Huey Help, Lifting a Huey

[military museum]

We have been successful in being allocated one of the Hueys, Freight to WA is going to be our biggest hurdle but with a lot of help from local business's we will make it happen(and a lot of fundraising).
We have a small dilemma though, we have to explain to Defence Disposals just how we intend to load the aircraft and how we are going to secure it for road transport. The tying down bit is easy but can anyone tell me the right way to lift a Huey when the rotors and mast are removed?? We have also been successful in getting a M60 that has been modified for door gun use-will need to either track down an original mount or get the design so we can manufacture one.

[Aardvark]

You need to ask Defence Disposals for an XM-23 Armament Sub System to configure your Huey as a Slick. The M-60 is an M-60D which is configured with with spade grips and rear trigger.

Not sure on availability but you may only get the XM-23 mount for one side but it can be converted to fit either side of the aircraft. You will also need an ammo bin and flex feed to complete the set.

There are some images of A2-771 being unloaded at Amberley that I will try to get for you next Tuesday.

If I could work out how to upload images to this post I have an image prepared of the gun mount on 771.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Ron Cuskelly]

Hi Military Museum

Congrats on scoring a Huey. My understanding is that the aircraft will come with a "lifting bung" which attaches to the transmission mount to facilitate one central lift. The DMO has published a document on minimum transport requirements which you may have received already. Don't be afraid to ask questions as I always find the DMO very helpful.

I'll be interested to hear how you go with mounting the M-60. Under Qld gun laws QAM are required to display our M-60 in a locked cage which effectively precludes mounting it on the aircraft. Have you been given a tail number yet? QAM got A2-310.

Regards
Ron

[gomer]

Another thing to watch is if the centre of gravity has changed. If the engine is removed the nose will be heavy, if the seats and avionics are removed, tail heavy. A practice lift using the trans lift bung and sand bags in either the cabin or on the engine work deck will save any grief. Also don't forget to control swing and spin by guide ropes on the stinger.
Hope that helps and good luck.
Dave

[military museum]

Thanks fella's,
very helpful, we have been allocated 485 which is the one we wanted,has a bit of history to it and was set up as a Bushranger at one stage. We can pretty much do what we want with the M60 as far as display, so long as it is secured and cant be walked off with. We will use a little "poetic Licence" with our display as we want to show it as configured as it would have been in Vietnam-if it had gone, the troop version with the single M60 each side. Wont change the paint scheme, will use display boards to tell that story.
We always try to preserve our equipment in original condition if possible because that is also part of its history. Our Macchi will stay in 76 Squadron colours b ecause that was how we got it.

[Brendan Cowan]

Well done MM!

Aardvark, if you are still having trouble loading the images, just send them to me at brendan.cowan@adf-serials.com.au and I'll do the loading for you.

Cheers

Brendan

[Brendan Cowan]

And here's the image of the XM-23 setp.

Thanks Military Museum!


Brendan

Attached Image