Battleship Cove announces opening of new exhibit “Vietnam: The Helicopter War”

FALL RIVER, MA: Battleship Cove, home of the world’s largest and most diverse collection of historic naval ships, has announced the opening of its newest exhibit this weekend: “Vietnam: The Helicopter War.” Launched by a $85K challenge grant award from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, this immersive exhibit will showcase Battleship Cove’s UH-1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra within the engaging environment of a simulated wartime aircraft hangar.

“Battleship Cove is incredibly grateful to MOTT for their continued support of our mission of preserving the history of our nation’s veterans” states Richard Angelini, Vice President, USS Massachusetts Memorial Committee. “With this exhibit we can continue the preservation of our two combat-tested helicopters and provide context for the experience of the veterans who served in the Vietnam War. We are also honored that the veterans who served with and on board these helicopters worked alongside our staff and volunteers to bring these helicopters, and the exhibit, to life.”

Russ Andreasen, who painted TCB on this helicopter over 50 years ago in Vietnam as a member of the 135th Taipan gunship platoon, replicates it today. TCB=Taking Care of Business. (Courtesy of Battleship Cove)

The legendary symbol and workhorse of the Vietnam War, the Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter was the most produced aircraft since World War II. Utilized in both insertion and extraction operations of US troops along with the gunship configuration, the Huey still is the most recognized helicopter in the world. Her “cousin,” the Cobra attack helicopter, traces its design lineage directly to the Huey and was the first helicopter conceived specifically for direct fire support of ground troops.

This exhibit was made possible by the support of Bristol County Savings Bank (Gold Sponsor), St Anne’s Credit Union (Gold Sponsor), the Greater New Bedford Marine Corps League Detachment #1399 (Bronze Sponsor), and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 207 (Bronze Sponsor). Additional support was provided by Dillon Aero, Karl Renz, Richard Angelini, Jeffery Biles, and Russell Andreasen.

Battleship Cove is open 7 days a week 9am-5pm. Tickets may be purchased online or at the museum. The Maritime Museum is open Wednesday- Sunday 10am-3pm