Awm's Uh-1bs

[enfield38]

G'day All,

I have been wondering for some time where UH-1B A2-389 had disappeared to after 5SQN/ADFHS folded. On the weekend I found it tucked away in the Australian War Memorial's Kids Discovery Zone. This is not to be confused with A2-1019 which is in the Modern Conflicts display.

They've taken all the sharp and pointy bits off and the kids can sit in the front seats (just like the 'boggie' kids used to...TIC) and push/pull to their hearts content.

It's been painted up in a glossy SVN 9SQN scheme and serialed A2-1018 (which was shot down early in the piece earning crewman SGT Gordon Buttriss a George Medal for bravery in saving two army passengers and the co-pilot from the burning wreckage).

One interesting detail I noticed was the substitution of a mock swashplate and scissors/sleeve setup and what looked to be a 540 (Charlie Model) rotor head. Seems strange since it had all the real bits when it was at Fairbairn as a training aid.

As for A2-1019, the display setup is quite good with the sounds and ceiling fan simulation.

Cheers,
Rod

[Martin Edwards]

I recieved this regarding conformation of A2-389's identity;

G'day Martin,

I posted the picture. I could not actually read the data plate but I maintain it is A2-389 based on the following observations/assumptions:

1. It is clearly an ex RAAF UH-1B, we were the only foreign users to have the external rescue hoist in this particular configuration on the B Model.

2. It is a 300 series airframe based on the thin pillars between the crew and cargo doors. Later RAAF machines such as 1019 have thicker 'boxed' structure pillars.

3. 389 remained at RAAF Fairbairn after 384, 1020, 1022 & 1024 went south to Victoria.

4. 388, 390, 391, 716, 720, 1021 & 1025 are all known to have been exported to the USA.

5. 385, 386, 387, 714, 715, 717, 718, 719, 721, 1018 & 1023 are also accounted for due to being written off due to accidents.

6. There are traces of the original white roof and dark green starting to show through the new gloss olive drab where the kids have worn away the paint.

7. I really doubt that the AWM would have spent money importing a UH-1B airframe when there was one gathering cobwebs 10km away which was surplus to ADF requirements.

If anyone in Canberra can actually read the data plate on the right hand door pillar we can put the matter to rest.

This post should be moved to the RAAF Aircraft Folder where I put my original post on the aircraft.

Cheers,
Rod