Dates |
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Event |
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Constructed as an AH-1G-BF by Bell at Fort Worth, Texas, USA. |
May 1968 |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army with s/n 67-15624. |
June 1968 |
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To Director of Supply and Transport, Sharpe Army Depot, CA.
In-transit to South Vietnam. |
July 1968 |
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To Headquarters, 7-17 CAV., South Vietnam. |
August 1968 |
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Transferred to B Troop, 7-17 CAV., Bao Loc, South Vietnam. |
13 April 1969 |
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Crashed.
1LT Gary W. Eldridge and WO Charles L. Genova were flying AH-1G 67-15624 when they experienced a serious in-flight emergency during takeoff from Bao Loc after refueling. Wind conditions had been variable, and during their departure, they lost left pedal control due to low RPM. The aircraft began to yaw uncontrollably, and as they tried to avoid a fence, building, and an ammo dump, they pulled pitch and used full cyclic and pedal inputs. Despite efforts to recover, the helicopter impacted the ground, collapsing the skids and severing the tailboom. The main rotor separated from the aircraft and landed in the ammo dump. Both crew members escaped unharmed, with no fire or leaks found, but the aircraft was heavily damaged and required return to CONUS for repairs. |
After April 1969 |
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Transferred to 388th Transportation Company, South Vietnam. |
May 1969 |
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Transferred to HHC, 520th Transport Battalion, 34th Group. |
July 1969 |
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To United States Army Aeronautical Depot Maintenance Center (ARADMAC), NAS Corpus Christi, TX.
For repairs from crash landing. |
September 1969 |
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To Bell Helicopter Company, Fort Worth, TX. |
June 1970 |
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Transferred to 147th Assault Helicopter Company, South Vietnam. |
July 1970 |
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Transferred to C Troop, 3-17 CAV., South Vietnam. |
24 August 1970 |
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Damaged.
Damaged by enemy fire. Exact details unknown. |
15 December 1970 |
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Damaged.
During a Recon for Armed Escort mission over South Vietnam, AH-1G 67-15624 was in the target attacking at 50 feet and 60 knots when it took 2 hits from enemy ground fire. The helicopter was hit in the Main Rotor Blade System. Search and rescue operations were not required. The helicopter continued flight and accomplished all mission objectives. |
February 1971 |
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Transferred to D Troop, 3-5 CAV., South Vietnam. |
24 March 1971 |
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Damaged.
Damaged during Lam Son 719. Details unknown, possible casualties reported by VHPA. |
3 April 1971 |
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Damaged.
Damaged during an armed visual reconnaissance mission. |
18 November 1971 |
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Involved in an incident.
Capt. Frederick W. Becker and 1st Lt. Ronald F. Dibella, flying AH-1G 67-15624, stopped at Quang Tri Combat Base to refuel after a reconnaissance mission. While Dibella remained in the cockpit, Becker handled the refueling. During the process, a fire suddenly ignited, engulfing Becker in flames due to fuel spraying from the nozzle. He managed to extinguish the fire using a nearby extinguisher. Dibella saw the fire in his rearview mirror, shut down the aircraft, and exited safely. |
January 1972 |
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Transferred to 142nd Transportation Company, South Vietnam. |
February 1972 |
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To United States Army Aeronautical Depot Maintenance Center (ARADMAC), NAS Corpus Christi, TX. |
August 1972 |
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Transferred to 334th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Army, Fort Knox, KY. |
December 1972 |
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Base of operations changed.
Hanau AAF, West Germany. |
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Converted to an AH-1F. |
By 2001 |
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Assigned to Fort Drum, NY for storage. |
By 2004 |
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Placed on display with All Veterans Memorial, Pratt Municipal Airport, Pratt, KS.
 View the Location Dossier |
30 April 2024 |
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Photographer: John Bennett
Notes: Taken at Pratt Industrial, KS, USA |
