The "Banana" Flies Again

(This is an article that appeared in VERTIFLITE-SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 1975)

Five old Air Force buddies were reunited recently in a venture that produced as many challenges as they ever encountered when flying regular Air Force missions.

Three of the friends are still on active duty. Two are retired. And one of those retired wasn't a blue-suiter at all, but a helicopter. Nevertheless, all five served in the 1001st Helicopter Squadron at Bolling and Andrews AFB in the 60s.

There were SMSgts. Ronald W. Smitham and Edgar W. Forrester, and MSgt. Glenn Sparks. All three are still with the redesignated 1st Helicopter Squadron now at Andrews AFB. The other two, Lt. Col. John M. Slattery, USAF. (Ret.) and Musel 14, an ex-Air Force H-21 (No. 52-8683) helicopter known popularly as the Flying Banana and locally as "the Truck."

The squadron was the last flying unit at Bolling before the base was closed to all flying in late 1968. The Boeing Vertol CH-21s were the primary aircraft used in USAF support missions.

Corporation Buys the Truck

The last of the Squadron's H-21s were sold as surplus in early 1971. One was eventually purchased by Alex Carey, president of the Helicopter and Airplane Services Corp., Gaithersburg Md. Carey, long a member of AHS and the Helicopter Association of America, soon had the USAF H-21 stripped of its paint and markings and then repainted gloss black at a prospective purchaser's request. He then found himself to be the owner of this most unusual helicopter and occupant of much hangar space.

While searching for mechanics to make sure that the H-21 now known as

N 57968 was airworthy, Carey encountered Col. Slattery, who retired last year after racking up more than 6000 hours in rotary-wing aircraft. Slattery soon put Carey in touch with Smitham.

Smitham, along with Sparks and Forrester, showed that they hadn't lost their touch in providing tender loving care for their old friend, No. 683. Other than a problem with a rotor blade that acted up on one of the early test flights, and added an interesting chapter to Spark's favorite war stories, N 57938 was ready for her future as a civilian helicopter.

When the time came for demonstration flights for prospective purchasers, Carey called on Slattery and Smitham. Smitham knew the 'copter was an old lOOlst bird, but Slattery was really surprised to note the Dyno tape reading Musel 14 still on the console, and the forms showing that he had flown the ship just before it was declared surplus. (It was in this model that the Squadron accumulated more than 40,000 accident-free flying hours during the years 1955-70—a record unequalled by any other Air Force helicopter squadron.)

Resold to Roofing Company

Because of one of the demonstration flights, N 57938 was sold to the Sealtite Roofing Co. of West Allis, Wisc. But, after the sale the buyer was unable to locate a qualified crew to fly the old bird to his home base. He solved the problem by handing over delivery details to Carey, Carey, in turn, promptly called once again on Slattery and Smitham. They agreed to ferry the Truck to Wisconsin.

After a complete preflight, the H-21 was test flown over nearby Gaithersburg and declared perfect for flight, the fuel tank was topped off, and with a special Airworthy Certificate issued by the FAA, Slattery and Smitham headed west into a hot-summer haze that offered visibility only slightly above VFR minimums. It was the first extended flight for this Banana in five years.

Following a stop for fuel and an inspection at Morgantown, W. Va, old Musel 14 headed for Columbus, Ohio, where everyone took a well-deserved rest.

The following day, after two fuel stops, the Truck arrived at Rainbow Airport, just outside Milwaukee, its new home. It is reported that strange sights were seen on Chicago approach control radar that day. Thanks to the fine assistance from the FAA controllers, a tight schedule was maintained in spite of poor visibility and thunderstorms along the route.

Party Celebrates Arrival

When Carey long-distanced Rainbow Airport to see if N 57968 had arrived as scheduled, he found a most enthusiastic arrival party well under way. It seems that all of the families and friends of Sealtite Roofing were out to see this wonderous device that the boss had bought.

Slattery and Smitham agreed that the cross-country flight was perfect and were surprised at the total absence of problems-especially since this grand old lady had not been on a sustained flight in many years. Slattery enthused over Smitham's expert knowledge of the Truck: "It flew like a gem all the way." Both airmen shared the conviction that it was "just great" to be back in Musel l4's cockpit again after so many years.

Because the H-21 has been out of service for so long, many airport bystanders thought that a brand new helicopter had been manufactured that could lift tons. The black paint job prompted many questions during fuel stops; such as, "Where is the bunny on the tail?" and "Are you with the CIA?"
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There is an ironic ending to the "Banana" story. As you know, no military aircraft meets FAA specs, most have to be modified & brought up to date for FAA license.

The story, as I heard it, was that a snow mobile manufacturer bought the H-21 to haul his snowmobiles around for advertising. When he found out that it was going to cost him a small fortune to modify the bird, he gave it to the guy in Maryland for the price of doing the black expensive paint job.

When the Roofing Company bought it & we flew it to Milwaukee, they were going to bring it up to FAA code. After almost a year, putting in stainless steel firewalls, fire extinguishers, etc/etc, they finally got it ready.

Taxiing it out for tests & you know on the H-21, there is a handle between the pilot & co-pilot seats that locks/unlocks the nose wheel. We used to keep it safety wired. When they got in the bird, someone kicked the handle, locking the nose wheel. Yep, when they went to make a turn, using the cyclic, they rolled it over on the side. Good bye one H-21. (Ron Smitham)(Pictures are courtesy of Ron Smitham)