66-00534 Tailboom Rescue Mission

This is a labor of love about the rescue of a tail boom from a Vietnam era Huey gunship that was flown by the 176th Assault Helicopter Company during 1970-71.  We recently discovered that the tail boom of UH-1M 66-00534, with its original warpaint, was located in California laying on the ground.

There was some online discussion about the tail boom. Without knowing exactly what would be done with this Vietnam war relic, Musket 39 Robert Fureigh stepped in and purchased the tail boom from the company in California that owned it. 

It was later decided that this tail boom would be donated to the National American Huey History Museum in Peru, IN. Now, this beloved object must be transported.  the tail boom is 23' feet long so the transportation cost will far exceed the purchase price. So now we had to figure out how to get it there.

In steps Musket Crew Chief Owen Brant, affectionately known as Bear Cub who is a lifelong resident of the great state of Alaska.  Bear Cub has a truck with a 24' enclosed bed which he plans to drive from Alaska to Arizona.  Bear Cub has decided to drive his truck from Phoenix to Adelanto, CA, pick up the tail boom and deliver it to the American Huey Museum in Indiana or for temporary storage with Musket 32 Steve Kerchenfaut in Lima, Ohio. Here is what Bear Cub's trip looks like:

Delta Junction - Phoenix 3,401 mi
Phoenix - El Mirage 364 mi
El Mirage - Peru 2,083 mi
Peru - Delta Junction 3,511 mi
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9,359 miles total.

If it goes to Lima, Ohio it will be further:

Peru - Harrod - Peru
270 mi

9,359 + 270 = 9,629 miles total

Additionally, Bear Cub will be on the road during this rescue mission for approximately 30 days, staying in motels all the while. He estimates the entire trip will cost him approximately $10,00.00. 

Now part of this trip from Alaska to Phoenix is for a personal matter. But we don't want Bear Cub to pick up all this expense by himself. So this GoFundMe is set up so that members and friends (anyone actually) of the 176th Assault Helicopter Company (Vietnam) can donate to an account that Bear Cub can draw from directly to cover his room and fuel expenses while on this mission.

Come on, SCRAMBLE SCRAMBLE and join in on this mission!  Bear Cub is Lead. Carl Z. Minuteman 27 and Musket 39 Robert F. are flying mission C&C with Celeste Z. riding in the back as associate coordinator.

Who will be Chalk Two and be the first to donate? How many can we get to join the flight? Any amount donated will add you to the flight.

If you have any questions contact mission C&C.

Please share this.

Thanks in advance for your support. 

Charlie Charlie out.