Hobby Master Archive

In June 1966 the 174th (Sharks) Assault Helicopter Company asked the WWII Flying Tigers for permission to use their shark-mouth paint scheme and it was granted. UH-1C 66-15045 received the shark-mouth as well as the name Easy Rider, after the movie of the same name. On November 23, 1970 while flying an overnight mission, at low altitudes and in a mist the tail rotor struck trees which brought the copter down. Everyone on board survived. In 1971 the 174th ceased operations in Vietnam. Later UH-1M 66-15242 assumed the name Easy Rider.