Historic Huey helicopter takes flight in Topeka

TOPEKA ( KSNT ) – Local aviation enthusiasts are getting a rare opportunity to experience first-hand some of the sights and sounds of military history – right here in Topeka.

The “Bell UH-1 Iroquois Helicopter,” better known as the Huey, is an iconic symbol of the Vietnam War. This weekend Friends of Army Aviation are offering rides in one of these historic helicopters at the American flight Museum.

One veteran who took the flight tells us it brought back intense memories of his service in Vietnam – both good and bad.

“The sound, the sight feeling the wind blowing in the aircraft banking,” Joe Romans, Marine Corps and Army Veteran said. “It wasn’t like flying like that, but the aircraft like the pilots used to do when they banked, they banked like that. You were looking straight down. The only thing holding you in was your seatbelt. But it still brought back a lot of memories.”

Tickets at the door are $100 on a first come, first fly basis. Flights will take place through Sunday evening.

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