--- title: "An American Legion branch is restoring a Vietnam helicopter" description: "In the small town of Ellinwood, Kansas, the local American Legion is up to something cool: they’re restoring an original Vietnam helicopter." date: "2023-04-12" modified: "2023-04-12" authors: - name: "Bethaney Phillips" job_title: "Contributor, Veteran Spouse" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/bethaneyphillips/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/aviation/an-american-legion-branch-is-restoring-a-vietnam-helicopter/" categories: - "Aircraft" - "Tactical" --- # An American Legion branch is restoring a Vietnam helicopter ![vietnam helicopter]() In the small town of Ellinwood, Kansas, the local American Legion is up to something cool: they’re restoring an original Vietnam helicopter. The goal is to get the chopper back to its original look, members told their local news source, Channel 12. Efforts are said to include a new paint job, restoring the helicopter to its original war-time look, and placing the bird near the local Legion, where it will sit as a “static display,” members said. It will not hold any flying capabilities but sit as a learning piece for all who visit. And for many, it will be a reminder of years past. Sourced and [ran by Vietnam Vets of the chapter](), they found the helicopter in a nearby county, and voted to purchase it with funds from their post, #320 in Barton County. For the last 60ish years, the helicopter has been living just one county north. “This was used in Vietnam in the mid-to-late 60s. Needless to say, it needs a little TLC,” Ken Lebbin, who is spearheading the helicopter project [told KWHC. ]() ![damage to vietnam helicopter]() *An undershot, showing the missing pieces and damage that will be fixed. Image via Facebook.* The chopper has spots of rust and decayed metal, it’s missing an entire floor piece, and its original paint is all but worn off the exterior metal, showing layers of gray and green. Glass is missing from windows, while others host frosted layers that carry decades of dirt. Holes still riddle the outer layers. Inside it’s essentially a box, without any seats or equipment of any kind to speak of. [Lebbin himself is a Vietnam Veteran](), and said he is using the project to honor other Vietnam-era vets, especially the pilots who flew this type of helicopter. “Not just Vietnam, but veterans in general. Not just the Army, all veterans,” he said. ![vietnam vet restore helicopter]() *Vietnam vet and Legion member, Ken Lebbin, holding a helicopter door. Image via Facebook.* Lebbin and other Legion members are doing much of the work themselves. However, it’s a project that comes with a hefty price tag: It’ll take close to $20K to get the helicopter back in shape. ## Author Bethaney Phillips has contributed to We Are the Mighty and MilSpouseFest since 2015, covering history and military family topics. She also served as the Interim Content and Digital Manager at MilSpouseFest in 2021. Now a veteran spouse, she spent six years in an active duty family and served as an SFRG leader. With a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing, she has more than 15 years of experience in digital and print writing, focusing on researched pieces and human interest stories. She is also a regular contributor to Business Insider, covering family and parenting topics. Her work has been included on Business Insider, Yahoo, Military.com, and Manhattan Magazine. While continuing to freelance, she works as the founding editor of the Clay County Regional, a print and digital newspaper delivered to more than 5,500 recipients. She also serves as the Digital Director/News Director for Taylor Communications out of north-central Kansas. Bethaney spends her free time chasing her two elementary-aged boys, raising chickens, and reading fiction. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [WWW]()