8mm Navy Spy Drone Anti - Submarine Helicopter 1966 USS Garcia Home Movie Rare
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:7116122 | Film Format: 8mm |
| UPC: Does not apply |
1966-Vietnam War era 5in reel 8mm Home Movie taken onboard the USS Garcia by one of its crew is this very rare footage of The Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter)These were small drone helicopters built by Gyrodyne for use as a long-range anti-submarine weapon on ships that would otherwise be too small to operate a full-sized helicopterArmed with two Mark 44 torpedoes it could be flown up to 22 miles giving a submarine no warning that it was under attackToday drones ar...e almost as common as planes in the sky but in the 1960s they were spy technology & the QH 50 was one super cool piece of modern technologyThe film begins with a view of the fleet this must be the Newport RI harbor home of the Naval War College as you also see some of the Rhode Island seascape including the famous House on a Rock of JamestownThe QH 50 is shown on deck & taking flight at least twice & it's quite unique it’s appearance almost bug like it wobbles a bit upon take off & landing you also see the naval personnel overhead at the controls later a helicopter arrives lowering a navy crewman onto the deck he is later air lifted maybe this is a coincidence or part of the experimentYou also see one of the rockets fire off (last photo) overall very impressive & while you can find promotional videos this is a rare piece of military history filmed by a crew member that is not available anywhere
