hueytaxi Posted December 29, 2013 Share #1 Posted December 29, 2013 I came across some old photos from my early days in the Army. I found myself near Mineral Wells, Tx. at Ft. Wolters; the home of the Primary helicopter school. we flew either the Mattel Messerschmidt ( the TH-55A by Hughes Aircrift) or in my case, the OH-23D Raven made by Hiller. I actually came fact to face with these ancient craft again on my second Viet Nam tour. we began our training in a nice set of 3 story barracks and due to expansion, more barracks were needed. we moved to a set of WWII leftovers and in addition to our studies, PT, and trying to not kill our instructors, we were to get this neglected area back in shape. CW2 Wayne Nippert was our Tac Officer. Being a Texan, we gave him a pool We wore our caps reversed until we soloed. Here they wait to try. Most accomplished this between 10 and 15 hours of instruction. Hard to believe now. [/url] In later classes, the Holiday Inn pool was the solo baptism site...not with our early group........ [/url] Mike Lazares soloed before I did at 12 hours. [/url] Filling out the logbook [/url] First flight [/url] Flying into one of our stagefields [/url] And finally they let us loose on our own or in pairs..... [/url] By this time, we could actually keep our Ravens in the air and monitor those instruments....unless distracted.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hueytaxi Posted December 29, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted December 29, 2013 Steady at 50 knots, 2000' of altitude and rotor in the green. [/url] Not sure which town this was, could have been the base..... [/url] A look at Possom Kingdom, a rec area west of town [/url] And now to fly back, find the place..... [/url] Let's hope this is right [/url] Our big powerful Lycoming [/url] A glimpse of the huey fleet [/url] Link to any more....http://smg.photobucket.com/user/hueytaxi/library/1966%20Flight%20School?sort=3&page=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRR Posted December 29, 2013 Share #3 Posted December 29, 2013 Thanks for the trip, great photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted November 30, 2014 Share #4 Posted November 30, 2014 These are great, great photos. Thanks for posting them. Time has not been too kind to the old post. I wish the city of Mineral Wells had decided to maintain part of the post. I feel it's too late now... I live about 75 miles away from the old post and have made several visit there this year. -Derek Here is a shot of the restored main gate: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted November 30, 2014 Share #5 Posted November 30, 2014 Here is an old barracks, collapsing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted November 30, 2014 Share #6 Posted November 30, 2014 The former Beach Army Hospital... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted November 30, 2014 Share #7 Posted November 30, 2014 The remains of the former control tower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted November 30, 2014 Share #8 Posted November 30, 2014 Another control tower shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted December 7, 2014 Share #9 Posted December 7, 2014 Here are a few Ft. Wolters items I have in my collection. -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking73 Posted December 7, 2014 Share #10 Posted December 7, 2014 I also have this 45 RPM record. -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hueytaxi Posted December 7, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted December 7, 2014 Thanks for the contact Viking. Do you have one of the school patches? PM me again if you would like one. I'm sure I still have a few and if I dig, I might find a W.O.C. collar brass. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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