The CGC Taney, WPG/WHEC 37 out of Alameda CA was on a Family Day Cruise in San Francisco Bay. They asked if a helicopter from the Air Station San Francisco could put on a hoist demonstration in conjunction with a routine Bay Patrol.
Only too happy to accommodate the request, as a new helicopter pilot in 1963, I had the pleasure to perform for them. Those who might remember the H04S/HH-19G also remember the roar of the unmuffled R-1300 Wright engine coupled with the normal helicopter main and tail rotor noise creating a cacophony of sound generated in a hover. But such was the technology of the day. |
Sky-Dive Walterboro
Looking for fun flying, I found Sky-Dive Walterboro (SC) where I was actually paid to take four jumpers up to 10,000 - 12,000 ft and have them jump ship. They sometimes wanted to perform multiple configured patterns, and so formation flying was called for - fun.
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Why Jump?
You'll have to ask the jumpers.
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The Trusty HH-52A
The HH-52A came aboard in the early '60's after Frank "Pop" Shelly's wringing out at Patuxent River NATC. It had a wonderful tour with the Coast Guard as told by Ptero Historian John Moseley. It was turbine powered, amphibious, and had a roomy cabin. Mods over the years kept her current. I Had the improbable flight post-hurricane "Betsy" to pick up 216 people from rooftops - 26 on last leg.
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