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“Last year Michael, my nephew, was diagnosed with brain cancer and given 6 months to live. Shortly after diagnosis, Maj. Donald Hurt, who flew Blackhawks in Iraq, arranged for Michael to visit his unit in Iowa and explore the UH-60. Michael got to operate the controls, try the night-vision goggles in a dark room, see how the nav systems worked — everything but fly in the heli. The unit commander showered Michael with gifts and made him an honorary member of the unit, pinning his wings on the ACU uniform we got him. He cherished the memory of that day fondly, and passed away not 6 but 11 months later — last January. As a small thanks for that day and for their prior service, I put 1/144th scale UH-60s in Templeton Rye bottles for Maj. Hurt and his roommate, Shawn, (who flew UH-60 medevac in Iraq). The photos show the process of building four models in the bottles (no cutting of the bottle). They are built outside first, then taken apart and rebuilt inside: engine tops, wheels, rotors, stabilators are glued on only inside the bottles. It’s easier–and more fun–getting the Templeton out than getting the heli in. Cheers to all you who serve and do kind things beyond your duties. You make a difference.”
