Marine One Model Helicopter

VH-3D Marine One

This Model Airplanes is finely handcrafted, and hand painted by our artists – to scale and museum quality. 16” inches in length.

The VH-3D model aircraft which forms the backbone for normal Presidential lifts fits the definition of an “aging” aircraft (i.e. an aircraft for which no production line currently exists). However, recurring in-depth evaluations of the condition and maintenance procedures on the VH-3D fleet in current usage has resulted in the establishment of a service life of 14,000 flight hours based on Service Life Assessment/Extension Programs (SLAP/SLEP) carried out on the VH-3D air frames. Using current utilization data, these aircraft will be able to remain in service until approximately 2014.

On 14 October 1990 a VH-3D helicopter crashed in the vicinity of Chicago as the result of a plastic snow fence which had been positioned for crowd control being blown free of its supports and wrapping around the tail rotor during landing transition. The tail pylon broke off and the aircraft rolled onto its side. The mishap was caused by the squadron’s White House Liaison Officer (WHLO) having failed to insist that the fence be removed after having recognized the possible hazard to aircraft posed by it. Three crew members and one passenger received minor injuries, and two passengers were uninjured. No post-mishap fire occurred, and the aircraft was removed and ultimately refurbished. Because of the nature of the mishap (aircraft rolled onto its left side), the normal cabin egress was precluded, and the metal damage to cabin emergency escape hatches necessitated egress through the pilot’s escape window for all.

Naval Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron’s (NRWATS) Executive Transport Test Team is responsible for conducting developmental flight test in support of Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) requirements. HMX-1 functions as the Marine Corps’ operational test and evaluation unit and also provides Presidential/VIP transportation. Most Executive Transport flight test involves developmental software flight test in the NRWATS NVH-3D helicopter. This specially configured H-3 is capable of supporting software flight test in support of most of the systems installed on HMX-1 aircraft. When the President is onboard it is called Marine One Model