Dennis,
I had to laugh when I viewed your photo of your Revolution 40 RC Helo. It was taken right next to the LAPD/LAFD Air Maintenance & Operations Facility that was adjacent to the former CA ANG Base (146th TAW) on the west side of Van Nuys Airport. I clearly see "Lulu's Restaurant" in the background and the painted white tires of "Pepe's Go-Kart Land" that was right next to "National Helicopters." Lulu's Restaurant is still there but Pepe's, the original air maintenance facility and the ANG Base are long gone. The empty field is presently the location of a Home Depot. I was at the dedication of the original LAPD/LAFD Air Maintenance & Operations Facility back in 1971 time period and at the new LAFD Air Maintenance & Operations Facility/Station 114 located on the former ANG Base outer ramp and informally called the "Taj Mahal" in 2008.
I didn't know Don Lodge personally, however I may have been introduced to him during the AH-56 hovering tests. His name is familiar to me. In later years, I served with one of the Army Test Pilots that flew the Cheyenne, Robert Maxwell (the creator of the Maxwell System on the UH-1). Bob was a wealth of knowledge in U.S. Army helicopter development and tactics used in Vietnam. Bob started out in the 11th Air Assault Group and then served three tours in Vietnam with the 1st Air Cav Div flying the UH-1C and AH-1G gunships. I spent many an hour sitting with Bob and listening to his experiences and his advice. Bob did like flying the Cheyenne and wish he had that helo in Vietnam.
I flew free-flight airplanes in the Sepulveda Basin prior to the addition of Woodley Ave., Burbank Blvd., and Woodley Park. I then started with RC airplanes but couldn't afford to get into RC helos at that time. I do remember hearing about the RC Helo group that you belong to during that time period. I guess you purchased your "stuff" from Jay at the "Hobby House" from the "Smith Brothers," and perhaps from Tony and Atte at "T&A Hobbies."
Travis,
Like you, I will always like the AH-56 Cheyenne. The Sikorsky X2 is another one that looks just as fun and versatile.
The hanger and ramp at Van Nuys Airport that was used to build and test the AH-56 is presently used by Syncro Aircraft Interiors and the location where the EAA B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" operates out of during it's annual visit to Van Nuys Airport. This year's visit at that location will be April 27 - 29, 2012.
Watching the parts about the XH-51, I recognize many of the locations. The old Oxnard AFB (now Camarillo Airport), NWTC Point Mugu, the Santa Clara River which starts in Acton, CA and flows west through the cities and towns of Santa Clarita, Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Saticoy, and into the Pacific Ocean at Ventura. The bridge that the XH-51 flew under is the old Saticoy Bridge (replaced by a newer one in the 1990s). I've been guilty of flying under that bridge in my Piper Pacer and a few other aircraft in my younger and bold years.
Wayne
