GIFT SHOP HOURS WEBSITE POST ACCESS FOR NON- ID

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MUSEUM HOURS

MONDAY - FRIDAY

9 - 4

SATURDAY

9 - 3

WWW.ARMYAVIATIONMUSEUM.ORG

GIFT SHOP - CLICK ‘SHOP’ VISITOR CONTROL CENTER

OZARK GATE: M - F / 8 - 4

DALEVILLE GATE: M-SUN / 8 - 4

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WWW.RUCKER.ARMY.MIL

OPEN ‘MISCELLANEOUS’ TAB

CLICK ‘GATE PROCEDURES’

CALL 334-255-0607

MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 - 4

SATURDAY 9 - 3

CLOSED FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

OPEN MEMORIAL DAY,

INDEPENDENCE DAY AND

VETERANS DAY

The Prop & Rotor Issue 03 Fall 2020

Army Aviation Museum Foundation

P.O. Box 620610

Fort Rucker, AL 36362

Issue

Fall 2020

by Robert Mitchell Museum Director

As summer comes to a close so does the resto-

ration of the YAH-63 (model 409), a most unique

aircraft indeed. In the mid 70’s, a replacement for

the AH-1 Cobra was needed to meet the evolving

threat posed by the Soviet Union. The Cobra and its

TOW missile system was rapidly being eclipsed by

more advanced weapons and battlefield surviva-

bility was also a concern for the single engine air-

craft. Based on these and other concerns, the Ar-

my released request for proposals (RFP) for a new

Attack Helicopter. Hughes Aircraft offered what we

know today as the AH-64 Apache and Bell Helicop-

ter would submit the YAH-63.

The YAH-63 had several innovative design fea-

tures but its overall appearance was strikingly simi-

lar to the AH-1 Cobra. Many of our visitors have

commented on the fact that it looked like a mul-

tiengine Cobra with a bigger gun. Most of the rotor

system was similar to that of the Cobra, the same

underslung instead of the more complex articulat-

ed system. However, it did have a unique system to

lower the rotor head for transport by aircraft.

When the pitch change links were disconnected

the mast had a worm gear designed to spin the

blades in the opposite direction of rotation there

by allowing the mast to “Screw into” the transmis-

sion and lower the overall profile by over a foot.

(Continued page 2)

Director’s Corner

Restorations

Digital Presence

Membership Recognition

Legacy Pavers

Cribbins 2020 Update

Gift Shop News

A Salute to Rucker

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YAH-63

Since the introduction of COVID-19 and everything it has brought with it, the significance

of our digital presence is greater than ever. The Internet gives us an effective platform for

showcasing what the Foundation has to offer. Our online presence is an extension of us that

never closes or sleeps giving you 24-hour access to a wealth of knowledge regarding the

Museum, its content and other important information. We are so excited about growing our

online community and hope that you will support our campaign to reach 10,000 Likes on

Facebook.

Social media is all about building relationships which is what makes social media plat-

forms like Facebook so important. Facebook gives you and I a way to connect on a more

personal level allowing us the opportunity to truly get to know one another. Facebook is

one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to communicate and to form real relationships

with real people. I am a real person, by the way, so please reach out and say ‘Hi’!

Facebook is an excellent marketing tool. It is absolutely free, which makes it perfect for

us as a non-profit. Using the internet for marketing purposes also allows us to overcome dis-

tance barriers which we experience a lot with our growing military community. Though you

may be thousands of miles away, you can still learn all about what is happening here at the

Museum. Then with a few clicks you can easily spread the word about us to all your friends

and we do love that!

I encourage you to click that ‘Like’ button for the Army Aviation Museum Foundation.

If you are already a follower, Thank You for Your Support!

Please remember to invite your friends and family to like our page and

Help Us Reach 10,000 Likes!!

You can also follow us on LinkedIn!

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WELCOME AND THANK YOU TO OUR NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

John F. Wohlwend

Roland E. Linstad

John Campbell

James C. Trask

ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP

John A. Bercaw

Chris Heiniger

Debra Bodkin

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A DIGITAL PRESENCE

UPDATE: RESTORATION COMPLETE YUH-61

Leah Dunkle - Foundation Representative

There were also provisions to mount maintenance stands

on various locations with hard point mounts. This would allow

the maintainer to set-up a work platform on the hard points

rather than try to stand on the aircraft to access the work

area.

The weapons systems the YAH-63 had were also ground

breaking, the most interesting of which was the nose mounted

cannon which employed a three barrel 30mm Gatling type

cannon! The single barrel 30mm chain gun design on the AH-

64 is a devastating weapon, one can only wonder the dam-

age that could be done with three barrels. The pilot’s station

was in the front seat and the gunner in the rear, a much more

desirable arrangement giving the pilot safer and better visibil-

ity. The weapons sight was located on the belly between the

front and back seat.

YAH-63 serial Number 73-22246 first flew in October of 1975

but Crashed in June of 1976, the second YAH was serial num-

ber 73-22247 would enter the fly-off against the YAH-64. In De-

cember of 1976 the Army selected the AH-64 and that would

go into production as the next Army Attack Helicopter. Many

speculate on what or why one was selected over the other

but the good news is the Army Aviation Museum has both ex-

amples in the collection! When the Training Support Facility

(TSF) is complete they will both be on exhibit in the historical

line-up as part of the evolution of Army aviation.

Continued...

Pg. 5

LEGACY PAVERS

I am very excited to announce that Paver

Order #17 was submitted on August 31st and

they should arrive sometime in early November.

We always look forward to the installation of new

pavers because we know that each and every

one of them plays a significant role in the story of

the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.

Paver Order #18 is already under way so I

hope that you will consider contributing to the

Legacy Paver Program. Legacy Pavers are a

beautiful way to celebrate your military service or

honor someone special.

Pavers come in two sizes:

4 x 8 Brick - $150

8 x 8 Paver - $300

(Additional customization fees may apply)

You can learn more about Legacy Pavers on

our website by clicking the ‘Legacy Paver’ tab.

Contact the Foundation office

for more information:

foundation@armyaviationmuseum.org

334-598-2508

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THE GIFT SHOP

Linda Gentzyel, Gift Shop Manager

Greetings and Happy Fall from the Army Aviation Museum Gift Shop. The weather is

cooling off a bit and we are excited to have our fleece on SALE for $24.95. They are

available in two colors: Royal Blue and Hunter Green. They make perfect gifts! Come grab

one or a few while supplies last!

We also have new sweatshirts on the way. We will have Hoodies and Pullovers available.

Stay up to date on new items and specials on our website and Facebook page.

Remember to keep us in mind when you are shopping for that perfect gift. We have

lots of unique items in stock. It’s never too early to start your Christmas shopping! As always,

all proceeds support the U.S. Army Aviation Museum. We appreciate your support!

Due to the uncertainty in regards to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, we have can-

celed our plans to attend the Cribbins Symposium in Huntsville in November. We apologize

for the inconvenience. We are OPEN for business so we hope you will visit us at the Museum

very soon! Stay safe and well.

CRIBBINS 2020: UPDATE

WWW.ARMYAVIATIONMUSEUM.ORG (CLICK ‘SHOP’)

Leah Dunkle - Foundation Representative

Order Online at

www.armyaviationmuseum.org

- OR -

Visit Leah at the Foundation

Office for more Information

A SALUTE TO RUCKER - HONORING THE PATRIOTS AND PROGRESS OF ARMY AVIATION

Pg. 6

The completion of Downtown Enterprise’s newest mural, “A Salute to Rucker,” was cele-

brated with a dedication ceremony late Tuesday afternoon. “A Salute to Rucker” not only

contributes to the aesthetic of the Downtown scene, it also captures the history of the rela-

tionship between Enterprise and Fort Rucker. Mayor Bill Cooper said it tells the story of patri-

ots and progress and called it an “awesome tribute to Fort Rucker.” “It is fitting and proper

that we dedicate a wall in our city to Fort Rucker because we share a long history of admi-

ration and appreciation with our neighboring post,” the mayor said. “It’s a story of partner-

ship. Enterprise and Fort Rucker have grown together, supporting each other throughout

the years. Whenever they move into this community, they are a part of this community. We

call them neighbors; they are not strangers or visitors.”

Artist Wes Hardin and apprentice Alaina Huff spent five weeks outlining and filling in the

22-foot high, 110-foot wide wall and even longer planning the undertaking. Hardin said they

met with Bob Mitchell, director of the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, to understand the history

of Fort Rucker and Enterprise to help them decide what they wanted to portray. From all of

the options presented — aviation and aircrafts, the buildings on post and the history of the

base — he said they kept coming back to the people. “It kept coming back to what Enter-

Article by: The Dothan Eagle

prise felt about what Fort Rucker meant…and the men and the women and the families

who came back here to stay and became part of the community,” Hardin said. “As we

painted, we decided that we needed to move the personnel to the foreground to highlight

what they mean and how proud Enterprise is to be part of this and to have them in the

community. Alaina and I are very grateful to have been part of this. We’re just the hands.”

Major General David J. Francis, Commanding General USAACE and Fort Rucker, said

Hardin and Finuff captured the essence of the relationship between Fort Rucker and Enter-

prise perfectly. Having served in the Army for 31 years, he said looking at the mural and see-

ing the rise of Fort Rucker was like looking at a part of his life. “I was told that this mural was

intended for Fort Rucker, but I believe it honors all of us — the community and the decades

of mutual respect between people of diverse backgrounds and experiences,” Francis said.

“It honors and represents the past and those that had the vision of what Fort Rucker and

their surrounding community could become; the present and our current population that

make our community the envy of many; and the future and next generation of civic and

military leaders, soldiers and our local population that will continue to champion this out-

standing partnership.”

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