A Tailless 64-13779 Viet Nam Map
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[Hugh Rhodes Photos 67-68]  [Hugh Rhodes Photos 67-68 (2)]  [Hugh Rhodes Photos 67-68 (3)]  [Hugh Rhodes Photos 67-68 (4)]  [Hugh Rhodes Photos 67-68 (5)]  [Tom "Terminator" Edmonds Oct66-Sep67]  [Joseph Gomez Oct66-Jul67]  [A Tailless 64-13779]  [Jerry Roberts Photos]  [Jerry Roberts Photos (2)]  [Jerry Roberts Photos (3)]  [Jerry Roberts Photos (4)]  [Phil Ballenger Oct66-May67]
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These photos are compliments of Jerry Roberts.

The tail rotor of a Huey really isn't necessary in flight.  The forward motion of the helicopter will cause the tail to drag behind like a wind vane.

Landing without a tail rotor is another story.  The tail rotor's main function is to counteract the torque of the main rotor.  Without it, the helicopter would spin in an opposite direction from the main rotor and destroy the ship. 

With that in mind, below you see UH-1D 64-13779 after landing without a tail rotor.  The trick is to make a running landing, dragging the tail behind, and quickly dropping to the ground. This is the kind of pilots we had in the Blue Stars.  They usually brought the ship home.  No always in great shape, but home.

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In the right photo, that is Clyde Mobley on the roof of the jeep and the Officer on the far right is the 390th TC Detachment Commander Williams.