"I always rode behind left seat, feet on the skids" Do you happen to know if the skid height changed from version to version, or maybe for intended use? I've seen countless photos and film clips of soldiers riding just as you describe, but on my one ride (mechanized infantry, so not many opportunities) in a UH-1, the skids seemed to me to be way to tall to ride like that. My trip was in the mid-80s, so I always wondered about the skid height.
Had no problem hitting the skids, but don't know if they changed the height any. Our brigade had it's own aviation group 'Fireball Aviation' flying out of our Bien Hoa brigade base. These guys were fanatics and would fly us anywhere, anytime wether transport, dustoff or supply. When your out of water, low on ammo, the sound of their bird coming in was music indeed.
