Big Brass Balls

[KJ]

Check out this picture of Steve Northern and John Dagneau while in Vietnam circa early 60's. Going into combat to pick up pilots that have been shot down in an unarmed helicopter. Using only personal .38s on a hip holster and M-16s with 20rds. in the cabin. Brass balls the size of watermelons that is!

[CPTAUSRET]

Originally posted by KJ
Check out this picture of Steve Northern and a John Dagneau. Going into combat to pick up pilots that have been shot down in an unarmed helicopter, armed with .38s on a hip holster and M-16s in the cabin. Brass balls the size of watermelons that is!
KJ:

God bless em:

Terry

[lrd]

Originally posted by CPTAUSRET
KJ:

God bless em:

Terry Amen.

(Boy, do they look young.)

[socket]

God bless 'em is right, they look like they're still in high school!

[Doogie320]

Originally posted by CPTAUSRET
KJ:

God bless em:

Terry

You got that right!

Is that a KH-43 they are standing in front of?

BTAR

[KJ]

HH-43 "Pedro" as the SouthEast Asia aircrews called them. This particular bird is an F model. Manufactured by the Kaman Aircraft Company, the helicopter was named the "Huskie," and was not meant for combat. It only had a 75-mile radius that the rescue crews lengthened by carrying 55-gallon drums of fuel in the back and a hand-crank pump. The rotors (two counter-rotating) were made of wood, and the manufacturer's manual warned against flying the aircraft in heavy rain as the rotor blades were known to delaminate under certain wet conditions! There is one record the Pedro held (and for all I know, still holds): the altitude record for a helicopter, with a Pedro going to 43,000 feet.

[EarthPig]

I'd sure like to shake their hands!
RLTW
EP

[Doogie320]

Originally posted by KJ
HH-43 "Pedro" as the SouthEast Asia aircrews called them. This particular bird is an F model. Manufactured by the Kaman Aircraft Company, the helicopter was named the "Huskie," and was not meant for combat. It only had a 75-mile radius that the rescue crews lengthened by carrying 55-gallon drums of fuel in the back and a hand-crank pump. The rotors (two counter-rotating) were made of wood, and the manufacturer's manual warned against flying the aircraft in heavy rain as the rotor blades were known to delaminate under certain wet conditions! There is one record the Pedro held (and for all I know, still holds): the altitude record for a helicopter, with a Pedro going to 43,000 feet.

That's the one I was thinking of. Thanks again for taking the time to reply to one of my questions.

Hand-crank in flight refueling? Wooden blades? Sheeeeeeeeeit. Those guys needed wheelbarrows to carry their balls in.

BTAR

[CPTAUSRET]

Originally posted by Doogie320


Hand-crank in flight refueling? Wooden blades? Sheeeeeeeeeit. Those guys needed wheelbarrows to carry their balls in.

BTAR

Right on:

Terry

[KJ]

The guy on the left, Steve Northern: From the book,"Pararescue, 50 Years.":

Authors' Note: By the end of December 1968, Sergeant Northern completes thirty months in Southeast Asia and personally records a total of fifty-one combat saves. He receives two Silver Stars and numerous Air Medals during his tours. Amicable and well-liked, he is the stuff of which legends are made. he leaves the USAF in 1969 and is killed in 1970 in a Los Angeles industrial accident.

[DY]

Thanks KJ, for the taste of technical and historical PJ content, rich and complex as it can be. As for how young they look, that should prove PJ's are born, not made:D .
he leaves the USAF in 1969 and is killed in 1970 in a Los Angeles industrial accident.
That leaves me without words.

[Ace]

Originally posted by KJ
........crews lengthened by carrying 55-gallon drums of fuel in the back and a hand-crank pump. The rotors (two counter-rotating) were made of wood............

Umm, wow, is the best thing I could come up with.
That gentleman (for you non-aviatiors) is indeed balls that clank very loud when they walk.

[TigerHooter]

The rotors (two counter-rotating) were made of wood, and the manufacturer's manual warned against flying the aircraft in heavy rain as the rotor blades were known to delaminate under certain wet conditions!
1) Did the PJs know this? WOOD for Christ sake!

and

2) In the DS (Direct Support) unit, did they have carpenters instead of "prop & rotor" guys? (Probably just a couple ole hillbillies, kickin' back, drinkin' some Apple Jack, whittlin' rotor blades. I can hear it now, "Darn, Billie Ray, ah screwed up anothern; thin' them SEALs need another paddle?")

[KJ]

Originally posted by TigerHooter
1) Did the PJs know this? WOOD for Christ sake!


Yes, they did. Another little titbit for you, is the fact that this little bird is responsible for more saves than any other Air Force rescue platform in the war, to include the HU-16, HH-53 and HH-3.

2) In the DS (Direct Support) unit, did they have carpenters instead of "prop & rotor" guys? (Probably just a couple ole hillbillies, kickin' back, drinkin' some Apple Jack, whittlin' rotor blades. I can hear it now, "Darn, Billie Ray, ah screwed up anothern; thin' them SEALs need another paddle?")
Too funny, Sir.


1T2X513DX18D - Are you still at Kirtland? If so, would you consider hooking up with CPTAUSRET (Terry) and give him a tour of the schoolhouse, perhaps when he gets back from Santa Fe next week? I am sure it would be worth both of you gentlemen's time. But it is up to you.

[Razor]

Originally posted by KJ
He leaves the USAF in 1969 and is killed in 1970 in a Los Angeles industrial accident.

Ah Fate, you heartless, fickle bitch.

[HoosGhost]

@ KJ and all Pararescuemen-

Not my sandbox, but bravo zulu on the Mail Call season premier last night. The training exercise demonstrated on the show was a credit men who serve in AFSOC. Thank you for your sacrifices.

HoosGhost

[Doogie320]

Originally posted by Razor
Ah Fate, you heartless, fickle bitch.

There was Marine aviator, CPT Stephen Pless, that won the MOH in 68-69 or so. 6 months after returning to the states, he was killed in a motorcycle crash.

Fate is indeed a bitch.

BTAR

[DY]

KJ,
I did contact CPTAUSRET last May about a poker run and MOH winner/ park dedication in Albuquerque. It turned out we could not get together due to his travelling and my PCS. However, it would be great to introduce him to a permanent party there, who could vouch for his credibility... I should add that the last person I introduced to the schoolhouse may have changed the way they present themselves as a "public instituion." Another opportunity to consider is a graduation. The traditions are still rich, and the parties can still be a real hoot. I know "mine" was.