M151s feature at reunion

this is a spot to post pics of your favorite mutt cause you know we all like to look at them.

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toptiger
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M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by toptiger » September 17th, 2010, 8:38 am

members of the 68th Assault Helicopter Company, call sign Top Tigers, and Mustangs, gathered at my place in central florida the other day.
these guys came in early for the reunion this weekend and all loved seeing the 2 M151s and a M274 Mule.
Image

Mr D- your former jeep drew astonished all them!
Image
Author M-151 MUTT, The Vietnam Jeep
Paper edition http://www.blurb.com/books/1646321
IOS ebook iBookstore: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id598605516
2 M151A2s, M416 trailer, M274A5 Mule,
Former Army Aviator, Bien Hoa, VN 1968-69
Mustang Gunship Platoon Commander
68th Assault Helicopter Company 'Top Tigers'
Central Florida and France

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Mr. Recovery
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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by Mr. Recovery » September 17th, 2010, 10:47 am

Thanks Top! 8) Looks like you all had a great time, Too bad you didn't have a "bird" there. :)

Image
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toptiger
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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by toptiger » September 17th, 2010, 11:12 am

The bird is at the reunion hotel in Orlando, a VN vet OH-6A!
Author M-151 MUTT, The Vietnam Jeep
Paper edition http://www.blurb.com/books/1646321
IOS ebook iBookstore: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id598605516
2 M151A2s, M416 trailer, M274A5 Mule,
Former Army Aviator, Bien Hoa, VN 1968-69
Mustang Gunship Platoon Commander
68th Assault Helicopter Company 'Top Tigers'
Central Florida and France

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Horst
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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by Horst » September 17th, 2010, 12:40 pm

My favorite helo besides the Huey. I have not managed to fly the Huey yet, but have a few hours in the Loach. That ship is a blast to fly...
Horst

1972 USMC M151A2 w/ROPS (ex Barstow) and M416
1962 M201 and trailer
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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by Floyd » September 17th, 2010, 1:21 pm

Top, very cool pics. I would have enjoyed the stories told that day. Looks like your enjoying the moment. This just sold in Montana for $325,000.

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Perfect for the next reunion, in another color of course.

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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by Motorcityman » September 17th, 2010, 3:09 pm

I didn't know Santa (center of photo) flew helicopters in Vietnam, he must have delivered all those presents to the enemy in the form of Ordnance. Kidding aside looks like a great time and what a beautiful spread you have there Top, MV's aside!!

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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by toptiger » September 17th, 2010, 5:13 pm

The Santa in the photo lives near me in Central Florida, and flew gunships in the same squadron in VN. He was visiting me one day during my last USA trip when my young kids called me from France on skype. When they saw him in the background, they cried out- Santa Claus, Santa Claus. So being the child I am I said, "You are right, Santa is here and he is a close friend of mine ! So now when they call me here they also ask for Santa and I don't know how to get out of that lie.
Last edited by toptiger on September 17th, 2010, 7:31 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Author M-151 MUTT, The Vietnam Jeep
Paper edition http://www.blurb.com/books/1646321
IOS ebook iBookstore: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id598605516
2 M151A2s, M416 trailer, M274A5 Mule,
Former Army Aviator, Bien Hoa, VN 1968-69
Mustang Gunship Platoon Commander
68th Assault Helicopter Company 'Top Tigers'
Central Florida and France

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mrdibbles
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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by mrdibbles » September 17th, 2010, 7:16 pm

These are great photos Top Tiger!! The fact that you guys still reunite like that is so incredibly cool :D
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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by Cobra5 » September 18th, 2010, 9:48 am

Floyd wrote:Top, very cool pics. I would have enjoyed the stories told that day. Looks like your enjoying the moment. This just sold in Montana for $325,000.
Floyd
Floyd,
I missed out on the bidding by $324,000. :lol: Photo must be from last year cause we don't have any snow in the mountains yet, but it's coming! :roll:

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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by Motorcityman » September 18th, 2010, 11:11 am

toptiger wrote:The Santa in the photo lives near me in Central Florida, and flew gunships in the same squadron in VN. He was visiting me one day during my last USA trip when my young kids called me from France on skype. When they saw him in the background, they cried out- Santa Claus, Santa Claus. So being the child I am I said, "You are right, Santa is here and he is a close friend of mine ! So now when they call me here they also ask for Santa and I don't know how to get out of that lie.
You work it to your advantage my friend, you tell them that you are close friends with Santa and that you have alot of pull in the North Pole. You tell them that Santa is always watching and will know if they have been good or bad, so they better be good or else they won't get any toys from Santa come christmas. Little kids like to feel important and have a say in things, write up a contract (on paper) stating that they will be good little boys and if their good they will receive gifts come christmas. I would include a photo of Santa sitting in your jeep, have them sign the contrat (I understand little kids can't sign their name, any mark from them will suffice.) When they become of age to get your jeeps as gifts like you have stated so many times you give them that original contract. As young adults they will cherish that contract and keep it to show their young ones when that days comes. They will also have a photo in daddys jeep (not you your grandpa remember) to show their kids that they know Santa personally and they can use it to their advantage like you have :!:

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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by Ralph Fuller » September 18th, 2010, 6:52 pm

Thanks for the photo and sharing your friends with us.
Ralph
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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by Flyboy740 » October 14th, 2010, 10:34 pm

I just gave Ed Strazzini a check ride this past week. I told him about my M151 and he told me about the reunion. Who would have thought I'd see Ed in the middle of the picture. It really is a small world.
Glynn

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1960 Ford M151
1966 Stevens M416

toptiger
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Re: M151s feature at reunion

Unread post by toptiger » October 15th, 2010, 1:13 am

Glynn, really small world!
Ed was a CWO with 9 months of combat when I joined the Mustang Gunship unit as Platoon Commander in 1968 { a Major's spot on the TO&E but there were no more Aviator Majors around}. As he had much more experience I flew with him and the other two senior CWO for the first weeks all the time. He has been a close friend since. As are most of us including the crew chiefs and gunners.
Wish ED would stop flying those air ambulances- that a high risk job and he is older than I am!
Author M-151 MUTT, The Vietnam Jeep
Paper edition http://www.blurb.com/books/1646321
IOS ebook iBookstore: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id598605516
2 M151A2s, M416 trailer, M274A5 Mule,
Former Army Aviator, Bien Hoa, VN 1968-69
Mustang Gunship Platoon Commander
68th Assault Helicopter Company 'Top Tigers'
Central Florida and France

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