The Flight Line, Vol. #3, #6
May 22, 2012Submitted by: the ole gunny
I'm going to relate just 2 more stories regarding my experiences with the CH-37 "Deuce" and, then I 'm going to move on. While we were down at Roosevelt Roads and, after the Aircraft was fixed we, of coarse, were required to take it on a test Flight to check out all the systems, because the Aircraft had been parked there for sometime. Well, we got all fired up and took off. While we were flying out over the surrounding fields close to the Airfield Installation, we decided we should do a little clean up inside the Aircraft so, one of the mech's, not I, found a old mason jar with some "Day Glow" (Orange Paint ) in it. Now, apparently it had been in the A/C for some time and, it was no longer needed so, the one who found it just tossed it out of the Aircraft. Well, apparently no one gave any thought to where it would land or, what it would hit. Now, I should also add that we were on our final approach to the landing pad and we continued until we were on the ground. All was well, and good and, the Pilot said that he wanted to "go around the Patch once more". We, in the belly had nothing to say about it so, we just continued in or efforts to get some of the junk that had accumulated together, to off load, once we got back to the base again. We lifted off and ,went outbound from the base and made our 180 degree turn and, on the return trip ,the Pilot keyed his mike and started to laugh. At that point he said, "did anybody see that Day Glow Cow on the last trip in". We looked out and, there it was. A cow grazing out in the field apparently got splattered with the thrown out paint when it hit the ground and, was still grazing just like nothing every happened. What a "LAND MARK" navigational aide. I just wonder what other pilots thought when they saw this cow. We naturally all had a good laugh and, the word got around pretty fast about the "Day Glow Cow".
The next and, last part (Honest) of my H-37 experiences was when we went back out to the carrier during the Cuban Crisis to head North to New River, we were parked next to the island, on the deck because, there was one extra H-37 on board and, that was us. We had to stand watch at night, to ensure the A/C's safety. Now, I know that statement doesn't make a whole lot of sense but, that was what we were told. We stood guard up on the O-3 level which looked down on the Helo.. Now, I submit to you what the hell were we do if we had a problem ?? "Call the Cpl of the Guard " . I can just here him saying "What the hell am I supposed to do". Anyway, we ran into some bad weather and the ship was rolling quite profusely. I will tell you that the H-37 has 4 tie down points and, we were using what is known as Hurricane tie downs on all points. Every once in awhile you could hear one of the deck tie downs snap and, that meant that it would have to be replaced. This required the man on watch to go down from his post on the 0-3 level and, secure a rope around his waist and venture out on the deck and, replace the broken tie down. It also required that someone else would have to assist because venturing out on the deck in the storm alone was not a smart move. We also had cargo straps holding the rotor blades in the racks that were attached to the side of the Aircraft. I don't remember if the Cuban Missile Crisis was over at this time, or not but, I think that the storm was while we were cruising in the vicinity of Cat Island and, in several days were in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands for a couple of days. That's where we'd load up with some Booze to take back to the "Lucky devils", that didn't have to make this expedition.
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Reply to the Gunnies H-37 experiences
While based at Santa Ana MCAF with HMH-463 in'59, I flew as crew chief on a cross country to San Francisco (The Presidio). After a fine weekender, pilots & crew met at the Presidio for our return trip. On our leisurely trip back, I passed up to the pilots box lunches that had been prpared for us. As we proceeded south, and passing over the Fresno area, there was a slight lurch that the plane commander noted and mad comment on. As I looked around the cabin, I noticed that the port side auxillary fuel tank (a 300 gallon drop tank) was no longer in its mount and related tis over the intercom. Immediately the pilot circled around to determin where it might have landed. Sure enough we spotted an area near an intersection where there were a number of vehicles and pedestrians wandering around. We circled the area and found a safe langding spot. The pilots departed to investigate how much damage it may have caused. Myself and the other crew member stayed with the Helo. As we were gathering up the empty box lunches, I noticed that the co-pilots box did not contain an empty milk carton. I went around to the port side and checked the emergency release cable on the bomb rack mount. These emergency release cables were installed so that the crew could pull a handle in the cabin in an emergency (such as when a crash was imminent) so as to release the drop tanks. On inspecting the cable, it was noted to have a waxy coatng on a portion of it.
Fortunately, the tank had landed in a bean field about 50 yards or so from that road intersection. The shefiff or police were able to take statements and the pilots had some sort of paperwork for such occassions.
After the pilots returnd and made preparation to get airborne again, I asked our co-pilot where his milk carton was. Now this young Lieutenant was a very red redhead, and when I askek the question, he turned on like a red light.
He admited that he hadn't finished his milk and decided to toss it. I don't think that the question was ever raised after that by the plane commander or anyone else. I met him again several times over the years and we were both friendly and though nothing was said, we must have both been thinking of that incident. After all these years, I guess it wouldn't hurt him if I mentioned his name. I certainly hope that he survive the Vietnam war and has had a fruitful happy life.
Semper Fi Lt. Scanlon
Frank Bonin, USMC-ret
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