I'd heard it said that there were only a small number (one?!) of different keys available for each type in the US Army fleet.
And whilst I'm spreading potential urban legends, it's always been my understanding that ShyTorque's story about helicopter theft is correct; but that it gets better.
The story goes that an unrated Huey crewchief (during the time of the Vietnam war) became most disgruntled, and so stole his bird to take it to the White House lawn and have his issues out, mano-a-mano, with The President.
This didn't go down well, as you'd imagine, hence the requireemnt in future designs for a key.
When the aircraft are not in use, they keys are held securely by... the crewchief.
Right then US Army types - this is now your chance to tell me that one of favourite anecdotes is wrong.
