Viet vets lifesaver on show
AUSTRALIAN military history went up in the air at Caloundra RSL yesterday.
Bob McInness had a lump in his throat as the UH-1B Iroquois Helicopter A2-1022 took its place in the club's growing memorial garden and military museum.
The Caloundra RSL sub branch committee member had been working for years to get the Iroquois, or "Huey" as they were more popularly known, to the Sunshine Coast.
The A2-1022 had a long involvement in the Vietnam War and more specifically the Battle of Long Tan.
The helicopter was lifted by a crane, supplied by Energex, on to its new home on a platform about six metres above ground.
The helicopter will be the subject of a dedication ceremony at the RSL on Friday from 1.30pm.
It will be attended by retired Chief of the Defence Force Angus Houston, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith, who fought at the Battle of Long Tan, and pilots who flew the A2-1022 into battle.
Mr McInness said he felt like the "father" of the project to bring Huey to the region.
"Watching it go up was like watching your child being born," Mr McInness said. "It was such a proud moment. The display of A2-1022 will add to a significant and growing military museum at the Caloundra RSL."
This helicopter was one of two involved in the Battle of Long Tan in 1966, in which the troops were heavily outnumbered.
Late in the afternoon, soldiers were running critically low on ammunition. The helicopter, captained by Cliff Dohle, took off in the treacherous conditions and flew at treetop height, loaded with the ammunition, and replenished supplies in the middle of the fire fight.
Huey Specifications
Name: Bell UH-1b Iroquois Helicopter A2-1022
Crew: 1-4
Capacity: Generally carried five fully armed troops.
Height: 4.4m
Weight: 2365kg
Maximum speed: 220km/h
Armament: Two M60 machine guns, with one positioned on a flexible mount on each side of the cabin.
