174th Assault
Helicopter Company
DOLPHINS & SHARKS


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Converting the "Grim Reaper" from a UH-1C to a UH-1M



During the third week of June 1971, in the 174th AHC hangar in Chu Lai, the UH-1C Shark gunship 65-09540, known as the "Grim Reaper," is converted to a UH-1M. Mel Lutgring, recently assigned to maintenance, says the Grim Reaper was the first aircraft he worked on in the unit. "It was a 'Charlie' model and we put a T-53 'Dash 13' engine in her. They put me in the electric shop with the Hawaiian. They didn't have any electricians. I mainly took care of the batteries and some unscheduled maintenance." (Photo by Mel Lutgring, Chu Lai, June 1971)



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