Long Distance Helo Flight

[THE PILGRIM]

Now that we have heard that the parachuting airplane over near Hawaii ran out of gas because it is malfunctioning ferry tanks.
Adding ferry tank showing airplane to increase its range can be pretty dicey.
They probably work best on cargo airplanes. During Vietnam, we did that to cargo airplanes like to see C-123 and a C47. Do either one of these planes have the range to make it from the West Coast to Hawaii which is about 2200 nautical miles.
But let's back to World War II for a long-range helicopter story.
During the big war, we had a large operating base in the Natal, Brazil. That's out on the 'bump' of Brazil. You might remember then I told him about my father-in-law going through there on a Pan-American flying boat on his way to Africa.
I know a A guy named Frank who was flying helicopters At Natal at the end of the war.
Frank came up with a plan and his boss is approved it to ferry a helicopter across the jungle to the North Caribbean coast.
His helicopter didn't have nearly that much range so he needed an extra gas tank.
They took out the second seat and strapped in a barrel of gas with a wobble pump.
A hose was wired into the main tank.
So as Frank flew across the jungle and watched his gas gauge go down, he reached forward and wobbled gas into his fuel tank.
Of course he made it! Later on he flew a while for the 'Company' (CIA)
But that's another thread!

 

[WuzzFuzz]

What I learned about long range flying...Charles Lindberg..flying the P-38 back in the Pacific...Lowest RPM, highest MP, leaned out.

It does wonders Even in more modern planes.

Most of the helicopters today, have the range extenders, for the extra range.


WuzzFuzz

 

[Oldiron]

Our choppers at the Air Station (HH-3F) had a 300 mile rescue radius with 30 min on scene and 10 percent reserve. 4 tanks in the floor/hull, which was somewhere over 1,000 gallons of JP. The CH53s (Super Jolly Greens) normally have an in flight refueling boom and some of the H3 Jolly greens have the boom. Just have to have a refueler that will stay in the air at around 140 kts.
The CG tried at one time to work out a procedure for refueling over a ship. Any ship that had single point refueling capabilities could supposedly refuel us. I was out on a couple of flights where we tried it and while it worked, dang it was scary. Come in over the deck of the ship at a few feet lower than the length of their refueling hose, lower the hoist and get hooked up to the hose, lay on the floor and lean out of the cargo door and connect the hose to the single point connection and pray for no swells. Yes, it was doable but luckily we never had to do it on a case.
Larry

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Our choppers at the Air Station (HH-3F) had a 300 mile rescue radius with 30 min on scene and 10 percent reserve. 4 tanks in the floor/hull, which was somewhere over 1,000 gallons of JP. The CH53s (Super Jolly Greens) normally have an in flight refueling boom and some of the H3 Jolly greens have the boom. Just have to have a refueler that will stay in the air at around 140 kts.
The CG tried at one time to work out a procedure for refueling over a ship. Any ship that had single point refueling capabilities could supposedly refuel us. I was out on a couple of flights where we tried it and while it worked, dang it was scary. Come in over the deck of the ship at a few feet lower than the length of their refueling hose, lower the hoist and get hooked up to the hose, lay on the floor and lean out of the cargo door and connect the hose to the single point connection and pray for no swells. Yes, it was doable but luckily
we never had to do it on a case.
Larry

They didn't have all that neat technology back in 1945.
Do you know about the only Jolly Green that was shot down by a Mig in
SEA? Thread coming.

 

[rcnixon]

On March 6, 1965, Commander James R. Williford, Lieutenant David A. Biel and ADJ1 Paul J. Bert flew an SH-3A Sea King 2105 miles from NAS North Island to Mayport, FL in 15 hours and 52 minutes un-refueled.

James R. Williford Archives - This Day in Aviation

Commander Williford became, in a later life, my college advisor as I embarked upon (and completed) an undergraduate degree completion program. He was a great positive influence on me and was able to contain his laughter when he first saw my transcript. I repaid his faith with a 3.75/4 grade point average. That may have been the greater accomplishment on his part.

Fair winds, following seas and CAVU conditions, Jim.

Russ