Non-standard paint

Norm,
In country HMM-165 also had non-standard fare in the paint regard. When flying the "Shining Brass" missions into Cambodia in '66/7 the powers that be wanted plausible deniability. So they took the M-60's and gave them 30 cals., took the Geneva convention cards (just for these missions, I was told) and painted the CH-46A's solid green. They added a shield and Knight's head on the aft pylon, with no other markings except a small a/c #, ie;1 or 2, etc. The missions were over, but the paint jobs stayed for HMM-165's entire tour in RVN. No squadron operated without MARINES on the side in white or black, except HMM-165, to my knowledge.
Hope this shows the image clearly.
Semper FI
Joe

Norm, I don't know which squadron was actually the first to do a unique paint job, but I know 161 was among the first. When we left Kaneohe, all of our a/c had the standard paint job, but while we were on Okinawa, all the a/c were repainted to green with black letters. When we went to Viet Nam in May aboard the Iwo Jimal, someone painted the pineapple on the nose clam shell door since we deployed from Hawaii, and that's how we looked when we went in country. After that, other squadrons started painting their noses.
As for 163, when we went back into country in January, 1966, we took over 161's a/c when we relieved them. Shortly after that, the evil eyes were painted on the nose. I don't know who selected that design, but i know Chuck House approved it. The Vietnamese painted the evil eyes on their boats to ward off evil spirits. Maybe that's how that design was selected. Any other 163'ers out there have any more info?

Paint...

Dear Cattlecall.......(HMM-161) Brothers.....We at Chatterbox (HMM-262) started painting out CH-46A noses before you guys got to Quang Tri....but we were so damn fast, the paint kept peeling off!

Moon

Fast, Chatterbox

Dear Chatterbox Moon,
You can't fool me, we flew "A" models, too! The only thing that would peel in those days was the damned aft pylon! LOL!
Semper Fi
Spartan Luck Joe:D

Guys,

You're missing the point. I need info on the Evil Eyes. Who did it? Who was the first? Why? How did it spread to all the squadron birds? How was it approved by MAG 16? How has it survived?

Attached is a photo by Ted Mayberry showing the eyes being painted on in Jan '66, which is when I remember it being done.

I'm looking for more info.

Thanks!

Side painting, skin art

Well actually, Norm, being an alumnus of the superior 163, I always wondered what was with those pukes from 165. I always thought that they were deemed too lowly, and unworthy to fly aircraft identified as "Marines".

Now Joe Reed has supplied the real answer, and I have to take back what I said about 165 back then and since (well, some of it, anyway).

Evil Eyes

From an article in "Flight Jacket" Jan. 31, 1969: "On Mar. 10, 1966, HMM-163 under the command of Lieutentant Colonel C. S. House , participated in the evacuation of the Army's Ashau Special Forces Camp.***When Colonel House left the squadron, it is said he wanted to leave his squadron with a distinctive identifying mark. Out of this came the legendary "Evil Eyes", which are now painted on all HMM-163 aircraft." Personal note: In Aug. or Sept. of 1966 when orders came down to change to black A/C markings, I think we had to get specific permission from somebody to leave the eyes white.
S/F, Noel Ferguson
HMM-163 '66-67

Evil Eyes

Well, I gathered a few "Evil Eyes" stories at Reno. I'm still trying to compile the complete "Evil Eyes" history from the inception in Dec '65 - Jan '66 to present day. When I complete it, I'll put it up on POPASMOKE.

In the meantime, if any of you know ANYTHING (anecdotes, sea stories, hearsay, bull***, involving the "Evil Eyes" please send them to me at nurban@adelphia.net, or call me at (909) 461-2628.

I would like to contact Al Barbe and Otto Bianchi if possible.

Help!

Norm Urban
HMM-163 65-66

Evil Eyes History

Wally has posted the story of the origin of HMM-163's EVIL EYES in the "poems and stories" section of this web site.

Last Friday (8OCT04) I presented this story using PowerPoint (and many more photos), to the HMM-163 squadron officers and senior NCOs in the O Club at Miramar. The reception was fabulous! But it's hard to change almost 40 years of incorrect squadron lore.

They really treated me and my two teenage sons like royalty. The boys got to fly the H-46 simulator and use the latest night vision goggles.

LtCol Jeff Mosher, the C.O. made it clear that he would like to invite all HMM-163 squadron alumni to this year's squadron Marine Corps ball. Contact me or the squadron for more info.

Evil Eyes

Way to go Norm! I still feel the pride as see the "Evil Eyes" on JAG or the evening news. I remember my buddy, Curt Culbertson, from the Metal Shop putting the "Eyes" on in Hangar #2 an LTA when we were getting the new "F" models. Our birds were always distinctive, and you could pick'em out even head on at the fuel pits!
Semper Fi
Joe

HMM-163 1969-70 LTA Santa Ana (Tustin):cool:

Hi all, well it's good to see people still talking about my grandfather, LT COL Chuck House. I have heard from quite a few of you in emails.

Norm, I hope you got all the pics on the "Evil Eyes" that I sent to you... let me know.

Anyone else that I have not coresponded with, give me a shout.. I love hearing the stories about my grandfather and any pics would be great!

Thanks all and be well,
Colleen (grandaughter to Chuck House