Huey 315 Arrives at Gateway Chapter of Army Aviation Heritage Foundation

By Carmelo Turdo

The Gateway Chapter of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF), based at Creve Coeur Airport, welcomed a new edition to their fleet Saturday.  Huey 315, officially known as UH-1H 70-16315, was obtained as U.S. military surplus property.  AAHF Gateway Chapter members Joe Steimann, Mel Keith and Ernie Bradow, along with John and Julie Smith from J&R Flying Service, made the 2100-mile trek to Joint base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ and back to pick up the ex-Army Iroquois.  The aircraft last served with the Corpus Christi Army Depot in south Texas, and is in very good condition.  The newly-acquired Huey joined several member-project OH-58 Kiowa airframes in the chapter's hangar, and will be restored to flying status to fulfill the mission of the national AAHF at events throughout the Midwest.  

The following photo essay records the arrival of the aircraft on the J&R Flying Service trailer and the rotor blades and support equipment pulled in by Joe Steimann.  The Huey was lifted off the trailer with the help of a heavy recovery truck crew from A&A Towing Services of St. Charles, MO and then tucked into the hangar.  The Aero Experience is pleased to report on the arrival of Huey 315 and the rapid progress of the formation of AAHF Gateway Chapter.  We will visit again soon for updates.