Flyin’ Brian Tells History Of ‘Lucy’ At Rotors Over Mentone
Flyin’ Brian Tells History Of ‘Lucy’ At Rotors Over Mentone
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Jackie Gorski-jgorski@timesuniononline.com
Flyin’ Brian Tells History Of ‘Lucy’ At Rotors Over MentoneMENTONE – Flyin’ Brian Walsh, of Oldies WIOE, Warsaw, on Saturday during Rotors Over Mentone explained the history of a helicopter he purchased last year.
“Lucy,” a 1947 47J Bell Ranger, was on display at the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum, 210 S. Oak St., Mentone, during the annual event. Walsh said the helicopter was recognizable because it was in the TV show “Whirly Birds” in the 1950s and 1960s.
After “Whirly Birds,” the helicopter became a personal mode of transportation for comedian and actress Lucille Ball, Walsh said.
He said he was aware of “Whirly Birds,” but didn’t know the helicopter was still in existence. Joey Rhodes got hold of Walsh in December and told Walsh about the helicopter. Walsh, interested in the helicopter, then purchased it.
It took a couple weeks to get the helicopter flyworthy to in order to fly it from Florida to Indiana. Walsh said the helicopter was taken apart and it took a couple months to rehab it. It’s been flying ever since and the helicopter has been to several air shows.
