BeechTalk - BT - Introduction-from a RU-21A and RC-12G Backseater

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Feb 2015, 23:37

Hi all,
I was a Mission Equipment Operator in the back of the RU-21A (King Air A65) and the RC-12G (King Air 200) with the 138th Aviation Company, a Army Reserve Unit based in Orlando Florida 1974-1999. The unit also flew the RU-8D, the Twin Bonanza in Vietnam and later in the reserves.

We have arranged to recover a RU-21A thanks to the fine folks at Dynamic Aviation to be put on display in Orlando.

Although I was a backseater, I'm also a 100 hour student pilot, but hope to get my ticket once and for all soon.

I'm very interested in the idea of a RU-8D restoration to flight, and have been tracking some of the former RU-8D/U-8D airframes that are scattered around the US, and wondered what kind of interest does the larger Beechcraft community think about an attempt to put one back in the air?

Any advice or anyone with RU-8D, RU-21 or RC-12 experience I'd love to hear your stories and would really love to see your photos!

Thanks,
Andy

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Feb 2015, 23:59

I'm surprised nobody has responded to this post, Andy. There's a very active group of Twin Bonanza owners/pilots on here. Welcome to BT, and check out this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=103834

Username Protected · **Posted:** 26 Feb 2015, 23:06

Thank You for the welcome Chad, I appreciate it. I'll probably be posting a lot to the King Air forum to update those who might be interested in our progress building a memorial using an RU-21A, and I'll be learning as much as I can about the Twin Bonanza, because I sure would like to get a RU-8D back in the air!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Feb 2015, 04:28

Welcome.

I'm a Navy Reservist flying Army "Special Mission" King Air 300/350s and MC-12s. Basically the modern version of what you flew in.

I'm also a possible future T Bone owner, with a possible stop in Bonanza land on the way there.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Feb 2015, 10:18

Nice to meet you Casey, it's amazing that what you're doing all started with a De Havilland RU-6A Beaver, then the Twin Bo, the King Air and then King Air 200! Keep up the great work!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Mar 2015, 09:05

Andrew,

Welcome! Keep us posted on your project. A flying RU-8D would be very cool. If you haven't already done so, I would copy your post on the Twin Bonanza sub-forum :cheers: