Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 213 ASHC
11 CAB

For date 680404


213 ASHC was a US Army unit
11 CAB was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Binh Duong Province, III Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Phu Loi
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Oil-Tar Mixture Cuts Copter Dust." Phu Loi (IO) - An Army pilot of the 213th ASHC, 1st Aviation Brigade, invented the "Dust Suppressant Apparatus," which is intended to control dust from the helicopter's rotor-wash. Helicopter pilots have been aware for some time of the problem of landing in dusty areas, which causes extreme visibility disadvantage just when it is needed most. The 11th CAB's safety officer asked CWO Herman Lenhardt, of Lawton, Okla., the maintenance officer of the 213th to look into the problem. After much investigation, building in his spare time, and ground testing, Lenhardt was ready to test his rig, which consists of a half inch pipe, rubber hosing, two fuel bladders, and two 100 gallon-per-minute pumps. The pumps spray peneprime which is an oil-tar mixture. The test flight and landing was conducted on an extremely dusty road between Phu Loa and Di An. The test proved very effective, and additional tests were scheduled. Further testing was conducted at one of the "Big Red One's" dustiest fire support bases, "Thunder Four." Upon completion of these effective tests, the rig was ready for a combat mission - a troop movement. Lenhardt and his crew flew to the LZ an hour before the troop-carrying Chinooks were to arrive. Within the hour, they had sprayed four landing zones and the choppers were able to land with a minimum of dust and very good visibility.
Comments: CWO Lenhardt, Herman; 11 CAB Safety Officer; ;

The source for this information was 6804pss.avn supplied by Les Hines


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Last updated 02/23/2000

Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023