Huey’s Birthday

A few days ago, on the 20th October to be precise, it was Huey’s birthday. It had been 65 years since the ubiquitous Bell UH-1 (Iroquois) helicopter first flew. Nicknamed “Huey”, over 16,000 examples were produced. Often heralded as the DC3 equivalent of the ‘fling-wing’ world, the Huey has been immortalised in our history, film and music. Bazflyer1 is privileged to have flown some 1,500 ‘Huey’ hours. No question, the sound of that distinctive rotor beat still stirs the soul and reawakens a treasure trove of memories. 

Memories such as the occasion, early in 1974, when we flew a young Prince Charles out of Wanaka on a trout fishing expedition. As it turned out, my camera was the only one there that day. It was a Kodak 35mm loaded with colour slide film. His Royal Highness Prince Charles agreed to a group photo, which from memory was taken by his bodyguard. Here is a scan copy of the original.

The mission involved three Iroquois operated by RNZAF No.3 Squadron. Iroquois 3812 had been specially prepared for use by the Royal Family with two other squadron Huey’s, 3813 and 3814, designated support. Prior to flying any of the Royal Family, the crews involved were required to conduct familiarisation and recency flights for each of the likely destinations involved. My logbook records that aside from Prince Charles, we also flew the newly married Princess Ann with her then husband Mark Phillip, to a farm near Masterton. Here is a photo of one of the support Huey’s on approach to land near Wanaka.

Below is a photo of the Royal Huey being checked by crewman Sgt ‘Stony’ Burke while waiting for the young Prince Charles to return from his trout fishing expedition, and if memory serves correctly, a couple of freshly caught trout were loaded for the return flight to Wanaka.