Parts sought for chopper

Members of No. 21 Squadron in front of the Iroquois they are restoring. The helicopter helped resupply troops during the Battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam War.

MEMBERS of No. 21 Squadron are seeking parts to restore a helicopter involved in the Battle of Long Tan during the Vietnam War.

They require a collective sleeve, levers and associated linkages, wiper motors and stabilizer dampers to complete the restoration of Iroquois UH1B A2-1020 for the RAAF Museum.

The squadron has been undertaking the project for two years.

A2-1020 – crewed by Flight Lieutenants Frank Riley and Bob Grandin and Leading Aircraftmen Blue Collins and George Stirling – was one of two aircraft that carried out the ammunition resupply during the Battle of Long Tan when members of D Company, 6RAR, were down to their last few rounds of ammunition.

The resupply was done in heavy rain and poor visibility. The rain was so heavy during the ammunition drop that the aircraft hovering on top of the trees could barely be seen from the ground.

When phased out of service A2-1020 was used as a training aid by the RAAF School of Radio and was stripped of most of its non-radio equipment.

Investigating the Vietnam configuration and colour scheme, along with de-modification and sourcing old and new spares, were some of the major difficulties encountered by 21SQN’s Flight Sergeant Steve Avery and his restoration team. Fortunately, some of the parts are common with the UH1H, still in service with the Army.

21SQN and the RAAF Museum hope that A2-1020 will soon find its new home at Point Cook on display as a wonderful historical asset that highlights the Air Force’s traditions.

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