Vietnam: The Helicopter War

Vietnam: The Helicopter War Logo is Copyright to Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA Front and center will be combat veterans Bell UH-1 66-00609 and Bell AH-1 Cobra 70-16038.

Battleship Cove, home of the world's largest and most diverse collection of historic naval ships, is proud to announce the christening of a new capital project: "Vietnam: The Helicopter War." The legendary symbol and workhorse of the Vietnam War, the Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter was the most produced aircraft since World War II. Utilized in both insertion and extraction operations of US troops along

with the gunship configuration, the Huey still is the most recognized helicopter in the world. Her "cousin," the Cobra attack helicopter, traces its design lineage directly to the Huey and was the first helicopter conceived specifically for direct fire support of ground troops. Battleship Cove’s new, immersive exhibit will showcase both of these authentic Vietnam-era helicopters within the engaging environment of a simulated wartime aircraft hanger. Vintage music, lighting, and aesthetics will immerse visitors into the past as they observe active conservation and restoration efforts that show how such aircraft are maintained against the enemy and Mother Nature.


Battleship Cove is a non-profit maritime history museum that preserves the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ official memorials for its citizens killed in World War II, the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, and the 9/11/01 attack on America. The museum welcomes the public to follow its social media channels and visit www.battleshipcove.org for more information on upcoming exhibits and events.

As we fly into Veteran's Day, we wish everyone a wonderful day.   Thank you for your service and efforts to defend the U...
11/11/2025

As we fly into Veteran's Day, we wish everyone a wonderful day. Thank you for your service and efforts to defend the United States with some of the best aircraft ever to be in the air.

UH-1 609 saw her right weapons pylon rocket pod release rack fixed by Claude this weekend.  Claude rebuilt the rack so i...
10/19/2025

UH-1 609 saw her right weapons pylon rocket pod release rack fixed by Claude this weekend. Claude rebuilt the rack so it opens and closes properly to hold the rocket pod in place just as it did during the Vietnam War.

It worked perfectly during installation.

We remember all those who were or are currently deployed far from home with the US military.The sacrifice of our service...
11/28/2024

We remember all those who were or are currently deployed far from home with the US military.

The sacrifice of our service personnel includes being away from families and friends. This image from the Vietnam War shows a US Army shipment of Thanksgiving dinners that were shipped to our forces in metal cans. Thousands of meals were sent to our soldiers and air crews this way.

Many US Army Helicopter crews brought these meals to our forces in forward deployed areas inside Vietnam to ensure they shared in the holiday.

We remember....

Old nose is off and Claude, Benny, and Bill are test fitting the G nose before final installation on the AH-1 Cobra!
09/22/2024

Old nose is off and Claude, Benny, and Bill are test fitting the G nose before final installation on the AH-1 Cobra!

Out with the New and In with the Old?Yes, you heard it here.  Bill, Claude, and Benny removed the panels and Hughes TOW ...
09/10/2024

Out with the New and In with the Old?

Yes, you heard it here. Bill, Claude, and Benny removed the panels and Hughes TOW missile optical tracking unit from the nose of AH-1 16038 last weekend starting the process of installing the original style G Nose.

Part II will be to remove the rest of the supporting frame for the optics to the glass so the Nose can be mounted.

A Vietnam War combat veteran, 16038 is returning to her G model configuration as part of the Vietnam: The Helicopter War exhibit at Battleship Cove!

Good news for our AH-1 Cobra 16038 as volunteer Benny met up with one of our exhibit sponsors, Jeff Biles, to get the AH...
08/17/2024

Good news for our AH-1 Cobra 16038 as volunteer Benny met up with one of our exhibit sponsors, Jeff Biles, to get the AH-1G nose and a new stinger fairing for "Iron Butterfly"

The movement to complete 16038 back to her external 'G' model form as it was in Vietnam continues as the S nose is being prepped for removal.

Keep a watch here as the transformation continues.

Vietnam War veteran, Bob Monette, who flew her in Pink team missions in combat is being kept appraised of her transformation and providing original images to help us get the right look.

It is pretty amazing to have this historic aircraft and her pilot involved together some 50 years after the war just as we do with UH-1 609 and her crews.

Claude working HUEY 609's instrument panel restoration and eventual return to its original gray paint.
05/25/2024

Claude working HUEY 609's instrument panel restoration and eventual return to its original gray paint.

This Veterans Day Weekend two special Veterans spent a lot of time together.   Our combat veteran UH-1 Huey Gunship 609 ...
11/12/2023

This Veterans Day Weekend two special Veterans spent a lot of time together. Our combat veteran UH-1 Huey Gunship 609 was supported by the efforts of her original Taipans 135th Assault Helicopter Company crew chief Russ Andreasen.

Russ took apart the rocket and gun sight for cleaning and repainting along with other interior support. Joined by volunteer Nick Forte, they stenciled the outline for 609's tail number and United States Army for the tail boom. These should be filled in soon.

Huey Gunship 609's left sync elevator has been reskinned and reinstalled on the helicopter last weekend!  It looks great...
07/10/2023

Huey Gunship 609's left sync elevator has been reskinned and reinstalled on the helicopter last weekend! It looks great and now just needs paint.

Thanks to the magic of Claude P Laflamme and team. Photo by Nick Forte

Happy Birthday to the US Army!Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in th...
06/14/2023

Happy Birthday to the US Army!

Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775.

We are honored to memorialize those who lost their lives serving in the US Army from Massachusetts in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War as we do for all service branches.

Battleship Cove is also home to US Army Aviation with two of the most important helicopters in American history memorializing all who served.

Address

Battleship Cove, 5 Water Street
Fall River, MA
02726

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