A2-149 in Solomon Islands

[Martin Edwards]

From Garth O'Connell

Good evening ADF-serials,

I just wanted to let you good folk know that ole' A2-149 served on Operation ANODE, in the Solomon Islands. Here is a fantastic video of her there :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo1yKOOJvbs

At around 1:15 min of this video you can clearly see her number on the side of the aircraft.

I have a few other bits and pieces of detail regarding other aircraft which I'll try and send you over the course of the next few days from either work or home.

Best regards and please keep up your fantastic work,

Garth

Thanks Garth, the beauty of You-Tube is all the other similiar videos that come up, a great way to spend a few hours!

[Ron Cuskelly]

Was it usual for them to operate with cockpit doors removed?

Rgds
Ron

[Brendan Cowan]

I was wondering the same thing.

That's not something that I recall see for any UH-1 operator.

Cheers


BC

[Brendan Cowan]

And now to immediatly contradict myself after a quick image search, here's a US example in a well known image with no doors at all:

Attached Image

[Brendan Cowan]

... and closer to home, a Kiwi Wokka sans front doors only:

Attached Image

[enfield38]

In RAAF service, it was standard practice to remove the front doors for any overwater flights. This was to expedite egress in the event of a ditching, even though the doors themselves are jettisonable.

If the footage was taken on Malaita rather than Guadalcanal, there is a reasonable overwater transit to get there. Perhaps Army had the same requirement?

[Dave Masterson]

Nice bit of film that....interesting :D

[rockdropper]

I'm not sure about the Huey's, but the Blackhawks only recently recieved certification to do so. The American's have been doing it for years!

[Brenden S]

Shame the Government never kept one airworthy like the Navy one.