Quite an exciting event for the museum begins with the arrival of a Sikorsky VH-3A that had been in storage for almost 30 years. It was here for several months of restoration work before being placed on static display at the Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda. The aircraft is one of a fleet of eight that had been used in the 1960's and 1970's for support of the White House operations. Below is a view of the Presidential Helicopter as it was being towed across the runway to the museum on October 4th, 2005. When this helicopter was put in storage, many parts such as the tail, rotor blades, engine/transmission on the upper section were removed and it is not currently known what happened to them. These parts have been replaced from a different helicopter.
Below is a view of the Presidential Helicopter on October 19, 2005, with (left to right) museum volunteers Casey Cameron and Dick Van Rennes. With the white wrap removed, the aircraft still looks pretty good after almost 30 years of being wrapped in plastic. Another H-3 Navy helicopter was brought to the museum for spare parts. The tail section of the Navy H-3 has been installed on the Presidential H-3.
Below is the Navy SH-3G (s/n 149688) that was brought to the museum so that parts could be used to complete the Presidential H-3
Below is the Presidential H-3 with the Navy H-3 tail. Photo was taken on March 14, 2006.
