59-04986

(59-4986)

 

 

 

 

59-04986 (originally 59-4986), Boeing build number B-005, was a prototype YHC-1B helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 29 August 1963. The administrative strike date was 11 April 1975. Aircraft hours are unknown.    59-04986 was bailed to Vertol for flight development test work.    In July 1962, the Department of Defense redesignated all U.S. military aircraft to a new system. All YHC-1B helicopters became YCH-47A.    At some point, 59-04986 was transferred to Fort Eustis, Virginia, destined the become a mock up Category C (Cat C) training device in the 67U maintenance course. 59-04986 was utilized as a sheet metal training aid for maintenance personnel learning to become structural repairmen.    At some point, 59-04986 was transferred a private individual/organization in Georgia and undergoing limited preservation and/or restoration.    As of February 2006, the aft pylon for this aircraft was seen at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania in the Defense Material Reutilization Office (DMRO) area about to be disposed of as scrap.    59-04986 is one of two surviving prototypes, the other is 59-04984.    As of 15 September 2017, the last known location of 59-04986 was in Georgia.    Aircraft status: Decaying in the woods.

 

 

On the Boeing Ramp

 

 

This undated photograph below shows 59-04986 sitting on the Boeing Ramp at Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.

 

 

This undated photograph below shows 59-04986 sitting on the Boeing Ramp at Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.

 

 

This undated photograph below shows 59-04986 sitting on the Boeing Ramp at Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.

 

 

This undated photograph below shows 59-04986 sitting on the Boeing Ramp at Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.

 

 

Fort Eustis, Virgina

 

 

The April 2005 photographs shown below show 59-04986 sitting at Fort Eustis on the short list to be scrapped shortly before it's acquisition by an unknown private individual / organization. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

The April 2005 photographs shown below show 59-04986 sitting at Fort Eustis on the short list to be scrapped shortly before it's acquisition by an unknown private individual / organization. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

The April 2005 photographs shown below show 59-04986 sitting at Fort Eustis on the short list to be scrapped shortly before it's acquisition by an unknown private individual / organization. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

The April 2005 photographs shown below show 59-04986 sitting at Fort Eustis on the short list to be scrapped shortly before it's acquisition by an unknown private individual / organization. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

The April 2005 photographs shown below show 59-04986 sitting at Fort Eustis on the short list to be scrapped shortly before it's acquisition by an unknown private individual / organization. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

The April 2005 photographs shown below show 59-04986 sitting at Fort Eustis on the short list to be scrapped shortly before it's acquisition by an unknown private individual / organization. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

The April 2005 photographs shown below show 59-04986 sitting at Fort Eustis on the short list to be scrapped shortly before it's acquisition by an unknown private individual / organization. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

Private Ownership

 

 

This October 2005 photograph shows 59-04986 after having been transferred to a private individual/organization and getting a paint job. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

Rediscovered in 2017

 

 

AWAITING A SAVIOR: Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Gregory Dunne, Major, (Avn/MSC) (Ret), YH-1B/CH-47A Chinook helicopter 59-04986 was rediscovered hiding in the woods in a field next to a dirt road north of Dahlonega, Georgia.    "While checking the integrity of power lines for Georgia Power in the foothills of Dahlonega, Georgia, I stumbled across the fuselage of a CH-47A, buried in thickets and weeds. As a retired Army Aviator, I was astounded. After negotiating the underbrush, I was able to read the serial number located on the fuselage behind and below the pilots seat. It reads 59-49868. Researching historical records, I was unable to locate that tail number. However, I believe this to be the fuselage of 59-04986, as historical records indicate that airframe was sold to a "private individual". Local folklore has it that the buyer purchased the airframe to make an apartment out of it. That never happened and now the hull sits wasting away in an obscure field, it's landing gear and tires still attached. I made my way to the pilots side window and noticed that the instrument panel was a mock up."    It is really sad to see one of the most important artifacts in the history of the Chinook helicopter just laying in the woods rotting away when it should be in a musuem. As the 5th, and only one of the surviving two prototype CH-47A helicopters, it would seem important to recover and restore this airframe.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. For an unknown reason an " 8 " was added to the end of the tail number. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This September 2017 image derived from Google Maps shows the location of 59-04986 as it sat decaying in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia.

 

 

This September 2017 photograph shows 59-04986 sitting in the woods in a field north of Dahlonega, Georgia. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

 

 

This aircraft was piloted by:

 

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This aircraft was crewed by:

 

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