FREDERIC, WI — The second model helicopter built by Bruce Java, Frederic, will be on display Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Frederic SOO Line Depot/Museum from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Java’s second replica is a ¼ scale model of CH 54 Tarhe, a heavy-lift, twin engine helicopter. The CH 54 was a Vietnam era helicopter used to position heavy equipment and even retrieve downed aircraft. The Ch 54 was capable of lifting 25,000 pounds and was flown by a crew of 3. The CH 54 was retired from the Army in the 1970’s and the National Guard in 1993.
Bruce Java, (FHS 1967 grad), flew a CH-47B Chinook in Vietnam, 1969/70, and would later fly with the Thunderbirds in airshow demonstrations as close as the Duluth.
The CH54 Tarhe model is on its way to the National Vietnam War Museum near Mineral Wells, TX. where it will be on permanent display alongside the CH 47 Chinook the Java brothers built and donated to the museum previously. This will be the only opportunity to see it locally.
Bruce’s brother Bill Java, who worked for Champion Aircraft in Osceola, WI, built a model of Cliff Young’s Aeronca Sedan that is on display at the Frederic SOO Line Depot/Museum and is remembered by many local residents who may have had their first ride in an airplane with Cliff in that airplane from the 1950’s to the 1980’s.
Last Update: Sep 07, 2023 11:15 am CDT
