"Miss Clawd IV" ZK-IUS

The above photograph, taken at Hamilton on 07-11-2009, was sent to me for identification and if possible a little bit of its history.

Well this particular helicopter is a Japanes Kawasaki built Hughes 369HS registered here as ZK-IUS , c/n 6631 , to Kiwi Kopters Tauranga Ltd since 06-05-2008.

It was built and registered in Japan as JA9131 on 27-08-1974 to Yomiuru Shimbun of Tokyo. Ownership transferred to Nishi Hihon Kuyu at Fukuoka from 05-04-1990.

It was involved in an incident on 23-08-2000 at Nishikata and cancelled on 07-11-2000.

Imported to NZ by Wing & Rotor Aviation Ltd it was repaired and became ZK-HSE3 on 26-03-2001 and went to Suttons Moss Ltd at Dobson (on the west coast of the south island). Frank Wright appears on the paper work from 21-06-2004. Am not sure what Frank did with it, but he is well known for his repair and rebuild projects. Next listed owner was Volcanic Air Safaris from 17-08-2004 followed by a transfer to Kiwi Kopters on 31-03-2008. It was re-registered as ZK-IUS on 06-05-2008.

It is painted to represent the Hughes OH-6A Cayuse serialled 68-17340 of the C troop, 16th Cavalry of the US Army. It is now preserved in their Fort Rucker Museum. It had a distinguished career in South Vietnam.

The real thing is shown below "in country" and sitting on PSP. (PSP = pierced steel planking or Marsden mating).

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsden_Matting
or
http://exmod-uk.com/equip.php?ID=418

For more info on This operating group; the C/16 Outcasts ; see :-
http://www.vhpamuseum.org/16thcav/ctroop/ctroop.shtml
Another shot of the real machine.

Above is an artists view of 68-17340 "Miss Clawd IV" of Captain Hugh Mills.

For pics of it at Fort Rucker check out :-
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/AWA1/301-400/walk331_h-6/walk331.htm

Below are a couple of the insignia used by C/16 and depicted on the helicopter.

So ZK-IUS appears to be a pretty good representation of 68-17340. Missing its the 7.62 minigun and perhaps the red & white under nose marks.

Kiwi Kopters also operate the Bell 47G-3B1 ZK-ICJ. This is painted up to represent a MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) helicopter (minus its external stretcher racks). Pic below.

They also have the Bell 47J2 ZK-HGI4 on their books.