PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – It won’t be the usual helicopter flying over Portage and Kalamazoo this weekend.
This Saturday and Sunday a restored Vietnam-era UH-1H Huey helicopter will fly low over the area as part of a special visiting aircraft experience at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, presented in partnership with the Michigan Flight Museum’s Air Adventures.
Air Zoo officials says the public is invited to book a ride on this legendary aircraft, which served in combat with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Tickets and ride information are available at airzoo.org/visiting-aircraft. Seating is limited, and advance reservations are strongly encouraged.
In addition to flights, you can get a close-up look at the Huey and talk with the crew at the Air Zoo’s Flight Discovery Center, 1301 Milham Avenue, Portage.
This UH-1H Huey helicopter, tail number 66-01126, was built in 1967 and quickly deployed to Vietnam, where it served until 1971.
After returning to the U.S., it served in several Army and National Guard units before being retired and privately owned. Eventually, Northwest Helicopters, specialists in restoring UH-1 aircraft, brought the helicopter back to life by repainting it in authentic 240th AHC livery and preserving its storied legacy.
The Michigan Flight Museum acquired the aircraft in 2019, and it has been flying with their Air Adventures program since 2020.
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