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From: Terry Hopkins
Date: 9/13/2004
Time: 4:42:52 PM
Remote Name: 137.80.60.254
Thanks for the reply Francis.
When I got to Can Tho we had 13 or so Beavers (17 sticks in my mind), two RU8D Seminoles and a single Otter. The twin engine RU-8Ds were transferred to the 146th or 138th some time in mid tour (hated those ASN-64 doppler antennas in the pod below the fuselage). I recall the 156th being touted as the largest Beaver company in the world. When I was in Det 6 at Huachuca (70-73) training ARDF pilots we had a single Beaver (4447). It was a JU-6A (vs RU-6A), very early model with R390 receivers in the back instead of Collins 51S1s. We flew up to Davis Monthan routinely to pick through the bone yard for parts. I had taxing and run up oders for all the aircraft to do compass swings and omni nav system checks. On a hot day on the flight line at Huachuca it was great to take the Beaver out on the compass rose just to get that big fan turning. We also had three RU-8Ds, an Otter, two Ru-21Ds and for awhile a couple of RU-21Es. These were later retrofitted to become the first GUARDRAIL aircraft.
Keep those memories coming...later
Terry