UH-1 IROQUOIS

The Bell Helicopter Textron 'UH-1 Iroquois', commonly (or officially in the United States Marine Corps) known as the '"Huey"', is a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam War. The "U" stands for utility, in contrast to Attack or Cargo helicopters.
The UH-1 was developed from 1955 US Army trials with the Bell Model 204. The initial designation of HU-1 (helicopter utility) led to its nickname, 'Huey'. It was first used by the military in 1959 and went into triservice production in 1962 as the UH-1. The last were produced in 1976 with more than 16,000 made in total,^[1] of which about 7,000 saw use during the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, 2,202 Huey pilots were killed and approximately 2,500 aircraft were lost, roughly half to combat and the rest to operational accidents.

Contents

Development

XH-40

UH-1F

UH-1P

Operational history

Service in Vietnam

USAF

Nahr el Bared battle in Lebanon

Modern Day

Survivors

Aircraft Markings

Variant overview

U.S. Military variants

Other military variants

Operators

Specifications (UH-1D)

Popular culture

Citations

References

External links

Related content

Development

Earlier helicopters had been powered by piston engines. However, by the early 1950s, turbine engines were being used in many fixed-wing aircraft, and aircraft designers began to consider using them for rotary-wing use. Though expensive to build, turbines were long-lived, durable, and extremely light for their power output in comparison to piston-powered engines.

XH-40

The first Bell helicopter to use a turbine engine was a modified Model 47 (designated the XH-13F), first flown in October 1954. In 1955, anxious to obtain a powerful medical evacuation helicopter, the U.S. Army awarded Bell a contract to develop the next generation turbine-powered helicopter, designated the XH-40 (renamed the Model 204). The first XH-40 flew on October 22, 1956. Two more prototypes were built in 1957, and eighteen more YH-40 prototypes were tested in 1958. Bell believed the YH-40 was ideal for troop transport and cargo carrying as well as the medevac role, a view soon adopted by the Army, who found the pre-production aircraft so much better in service than previous piston-powered helicopters they soon ordered more of them.

The HU-1A (later redesignated the UH-1A) was the first turbine-equipped U.S. helicopter to go into production, and production models first entered service with the 101st Airborne at Fort Lewis, Washington. Although they were intended for evaluation only, the Army quickly pressed them into operational service.
The helicopter was originally designated the HU-1A, which is where it received its nickname - "Huey." The official U.S. Army designation Iroquois (Army helicopters are traditionally given Native American names) was almost never used in practice. The HU-1B was equipped with revised main rotor blades and could carry seven passengers. These versions were redesignated UH-1A and UH-1B respectively, in 1962. A UH-1C gunship version with a more powerful engine was later built, along with search and rescue (SAR) and training variants.

UH-1F

The 'UH-1F' was designed in response to a United States Air Force specification for a support helicopter for use on its missile bases.
In 1962, the USAF asked Bell to develop a special version of the UH-1D using the General Electric T-58 turboshaft as a powerplant (the same engine in the Sikorsky S-61 Sea King). This engine was capable of 1,250 hp (932 kW) rather than the UH-1D's Lycoming 1,100 hp (820 kW) T53-L11.
Bell proposed a developed version of the Bell model 204 which had been used by the US Army as the 'UH-1B'. Bell proposed to use the shorter cabin of the model '204B' but with the longer tail boom and rotor-transmission of the Bell model 205. As a result, Bell had to put the T-58 engine backwards in order to connect with the rotor system (opposite to the original S-61 position where the engine is located in front of the rotor system and above of the main cabin). In addition, Bell had to develop a side exhaust that goes parallel of the engine's block and turn to the right side. The UH-1F was introduced in 1963 in the US Air Force, who ordered 25. Externally, the only visible differences from UH-1B were the engine exhaust, which exited to the right side of the engine, and the longer tail boom.

The last UH-1F was retired from the USAF in the early 1980s, probably in 1982.
Total production of the UH-1F was 150 units. In Italy, Agusta produced a similar model by re-engining the 204B with the 1,225 hp (914 kW) Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshaft, later the UH-1F's General Electric engine. The Italian version was exported to the military of the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland. It had a rescue hoist located at the right side of the cabin.

UH-1P

Around 1969 a number of UH-1Fs were modified for a still-classified psychological warfare role and redesignated 'UH-1P'. The "P" version was the only armed version of the UH-1F, carrying machine guns and rocket launchers. Even unarmed, they can be distinguished from standard UH-1Fs by their two UHF antennas (the F carried only one)

Operational history

Service in Vietnam

The UH-1 has long become a symbol of US involvement in Southeast Asia in general and Vietnam in particular, and as a result of that conflict, has become one of the world's most recognized helicopters. In Vietnam primary missions included general support, air assault, cargo transport, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, electronic warfare, and later, ground attack. During the conflict, the craft was upgraded, notably to a larger version based on the Model 205. This version was initially designated the UH-1D and flew operationally from 1963.

During service in the Vietnam War, the UH-1 was used for various purposes and various terms for each task abounded. UH-1s tasked with a ground attack or armed escort role were outfitted with rocket launchers, grenade launchers, and/or machine guns. These gunship UH-1s were commonly referred to as ''Hogs'' if they carried rockets, and ''Cobras'' if they had guns.^[2] While UH-1s tasked for troop transport were often called ''Slicks'' due to an absence of weapons pods. ''Slicks'' did have door gunners, but for the most part they were strictly troop carriers and medevacs. In the US Navy and USMC the difference between gunships were referred to as ''Sharks'', troop transport aircraft, ''Dolphins''.

UH-1s also flew hunter-killer teams with observation helicopters, namely the Bell OH-58A Kiowa and the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (''Loach''). Towards the end of the conflict, the UH-1 was tested with TOW missiles, and two UH-1B helicopters equipped with the XM26 Armament Subsystem were deployed to help counter the 1972 Easter Invasion.^[3] USAF Lieutenant James P. Fleming piloted a UH-1F on a 26 November 1968 mission that won him the Medal of Honor.
UH-1 troop transports were designated by ''Blue'' teams, hence the nickname for troops carried in by these Hueys as the ''Blues''. The reconnaissance or observation teams were ''White'' teams. The attack ships were called ''Red'' teams. Over the duration of the conflict the tactics used by the military evolved and teams were mixed for more effective results. ''Purple'' teams with one or two ''Blue'' slicks dropping off the troops, while a ''Red'' attack team provided protection until the troops could defend themselves. Another highly effective team was the ''Pink'' Recon/Attack team, which offered the capability of carrying out assaults upon areas where the enemy was known to be present but could not be pinpointed.
During the course of the War, the UH-1 went through several upgrades. The UH-1A, B, and C models (short fuselage, Bell 204) and the UH-1D and H models (stretched-fuselage, Bell 205) each had improved performance and load-carrying capabilities. The UH-1B and C performed the gunship and some of the transport duties until 1967, when the new AH-1 Cobra arrived on the scene. The newer Cobra, a purpose-built attack helicopter based on the UH-1 was faster, sleeker, harder to hit, and could carry more ordnance. The increasing intensity and sophistication of NVA anti-aircraft defenses made continued use of gunships based on the UH-1 impractical, and after Vietnam the Cobra was adopted as the Army's main attack helicopter. Devotees of the UH-1 in the gunship role cite its ability to act as an impromptu dustoff if the need arose, as well as the superior observational capabilities of the larger Huey cockpit, which allowed return fire from door gunners to the rear and sides of the aircraft.
During the war 3,305 UH-1 where destroyed. In total 5.086 helicopters where destroyed out of 11,827 total.^[4]

USAF

In October 1965 the USAF 20th Special Operations Squadron was formed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam, equipped initially with CH-3C helicopters. By June 1967 the UH-1F and UH-1P were also added to the unit's inventory, and by the end of the year the entire unit had shifted from Tan Son Nhut to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base. On the 1st of August 1968, the unit was redesignated the 20th Special Operations Squadron. The 20th's UH-1s were known as the "Green Hornets," stemming from their color, a primarily green 2-tone camouflage (green and tan) was carried, and radio call-sign "hornet." The main role of these helicopters were to insert and extract reconnaissance teams, provide cover for such operations, conduct pyschological warfare, and other support roles for covert operations especially in Laos during the so-called Secret War.

Nahr el Bared battle in Lebanon

During the battle of Nahr el-Bared camp in North Lebanon, the Lebanese army, lacking fixed-wing aircraft, modified the UH-1H allowing it to carry 400 lb (250 kg) Mk.82 dumb bombs to strike militant positions. Each Huey was equipped on each side with special mounts engineered by the Lebanese army, to carry the high explosive bombs. (See: Helicopter bombing).

Modern Day

The US Army phased out the UH-1 Huey with the introduction of the UH-60 Black Hawk, although the Army UH-1 Residual Fleet has around 700 UH-1s that were supposed to be retained until 2015. Army support for the craft was intended to end in 2004.
The US Marine Corps still relies on the UH-1N variant and is beginning to introduce the latest variant, the UH-1Y Venom.
The UH-1 has been widely exported and remains in front-line service in a number of countries.

Survivors

★ The Bell UH-1H "Smokey III" that resides in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center served four tours and over 2,500 hours in Vietnam.

Aircraft Markings

The UH-1Fs during the Vietnam Conflict were painted in 4 tone-camouflage that consisted in dark and medium green and dark tan on the upper surfaces and light gray was used under the lower surface. No national insignia were carried, only a serial number on the tail and a dark green hornet on the middle of the tail boom.
UH-1Fs used at the same time in the United States were painted in light gray overall with black "United States Air Force" painted along the tail boom and a yellow band with black borders at the end of the boom with a "Danger" marking. A typical black serial was painted on the tail. Other UH-1Fs used the same colors but with the roof painted in gloss white. At least one aircraft was painted in overall gloss blue, with "U.S. AIR FORCE" painted on the boom in white, and the tail serial in the same color.
UH-1Hs used for ferrying VIPs into Panmunjom in the DMZ area between North and South Korea used three 12" wide Yellow stripes vertically over the fuselage. It signified unarmed aircraft carrying UNCMAC members. ^[5]
The U.S. Air Force still operates some Hueys painted in unusual colors like one with blue tail feathers painted on the tail boom. The U.S. Marine Corps Hueys are generally grey with the word Marines painted down the side in a darker grey.

Variant overview

U.S. Military variants

★ 'XH-40': The initial Bell 204 prototype. Three prototypes were built.

★ 'YH-40': Six pre-production aircraft.

★
★ 'Bell Model 533': One YH-40BF rebuilt as a flight test bed with turbofan engines and wings.

★ 'HU-1A': Initial Bell 204 production model, redesignated as the 'UH-1A' in 1962.

★ 'HU-1B': Upgraded HU-1A, various external and rotor improvements. Redesignated 'UH-1B' in 1962.

★ 'UH-1C': UH-1B with improved engine and modified blades and rotor-head for better performance in the gunship role.

★ 'YUH-1D': Seven pre-production prototypes of the UH-1D.

★ 'UH-1D': Initial Bell 205 production model (long fuselage version of the 204). Designed as a troop carrier to replace the CH-34 then in US Army service

★
★ 'HH-1D': Search Air Rescue (SAR) variant of UH-1D.

★ 'UH-1E': UH-1B/C for USMC with different avionics and equipment. Initial models were also fitted with a retractable rescue hoist.

★
★ 'NUH-1E': UH-1E configured for testing.

★ 'UH-1F': UH-1B/C for USAF with different engine.

★
★ 'TH-1F': Trainer based on the UH-1F for the USAF.

★ 'UH-1G': UH-1D/H gunships operating with the Cambodia armed forces were locally given the designation UH-1G.

★ 'UH-1H': Improved UH-1D with the same engine as the UH-1C, which had actually been developed after the UH-1D.

★
★ 'CUH-1H': Canadian Forces designation for the UH-1H utility transport helicopter. Redesignated 'CH-118'^[6].

★
★ 'EH-1H': Twenty-two aircraft converted by installation of AN/ARQ-33 (4 aircraft) and ARQ-33A Radio Receiving Sets. Capable of HF/VHF intercept and VHF jamming. Initial aircraft were fielded to 82nd Airborne and 2nd Armored. The 82nd fielded the type during invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) in 1983. Replaced by EH-60A.

★
★ 'HH-1H': Based off of medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) conversions of the UH-1H, SAR variant to USAF with rescue hoist.

★
★ 'JUH-1H': Five UH-1Hs converted to SOTAS battlefield surveillance configuration, designed to simulate the Russian Hind.

★
★ 'TH-1H': Recently modified UH-1H troop carriers for use as basic helicopter flight trainers by the USAF.

★ 'UH-1J': An improved Japanese version of the UH-1H built under license in Japan by Fuji was locally given the designation UH-1J.

★ 'HH-1K': Purpose built SAR variant for the US Navy with USN avionics and equipment.

★ 'TH-1L': Helicopter flight trainer based off of the HH-1K for the USN.

★
★ 'UH-1L': Utility variant of the TH-1L.

★ 'UH-1M': Gunship specific UH-1C upgrade with new engine. Often confused as a dedicated "night-fighter" because the first three UH-1Ms were delivered to the South East Asia Night Operations (SEA NITEOPS) office to be used in the Iroqouis Night Fighter and Night Tracker (INFANT) program.

★ 'UH-1N': Initial Bell 212 production model, the Bell "Twin Pac" twin-engined Huey.

★ 'UH-1P': UH-1F variant for USAF for special operations use including psychological warfare and covert insertion/extraction, and attack operations.

★ 'UH-1U': Single prototype for Counter Mortar/Counter Battery Radar Jamming aircraft. Crashed at Edwards AFB during testing.

★ 'UH-1V': Aeromedical evacuation, rescue version for the US Army.

★ 'EH-1X': Ten aircraft built by ESL. AN/ALQ-151 Mission Equipment. Capable of HF/VHF intercept, VHF Direction Finding/jamming. Replaced by EH-60A

★ 'UH-1Y': Upgraded variant developed from existing upgraded late model UH-1Ns, with additional emphasis on commonality with the AH-1Z.
Note: In U.S. service, G, J, Q, R, T and Z models are used by the AH-1. The UH-1 and AH-1 are considered members of the H-1 series.

Other military variants

★ 'Bell 204': Bell Helicopters company designation, covering aircraft from the XH-40, YH-40 prototypes to the UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1C, UH-1E, UH-1F, HH-1K, UH-1L, UH-1P and UH-1M production aircraft.

★
★ 'Agusta-Bell AB 204': Military utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Italy by Agusta.

★
★ 'Agusta-Bell AB 204AS': Anti-submarine warfare, anti-shipping version of the AB 204 helicopter.

★
★ 'Fuji-Bell 204B-2': Military utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries. Used by the Japan Ground Self Defence Force under the name 'Hiyodori'.

★ 'Bell 205': Bell Helicopters company designation of the UH-1D and UH-1H helicopters.

★
★ 'Bell 205A-1': Military utility transport helicopter version, initial version based on the UH-1H.

★
★ 'Bell 205A-1A': As 205A-1, but with armament hardpoints and military avoinics. Produced specifically for Israeli contract.

★
★ 'Agusta-Bell 205': Military utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Italy by Agusta.

★
★ 'Fuji-Bell 205A-1': Military utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Japan by Fuji. Used by the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force under the designation 'HU-1H'.

★ 'Bell Huey II': A modified and re-engined UH-1H, significantly upgrading its performance, and its cost-effectiveness. Currently offered by Bell to all current military users of the type.

Operators

The Iroquois was widely sold abroad. Users include:
;: Ejército Argentino (Argentine Army), Armada de la República Argentina (Argentine Navy), Fuerza Aérea Argentina (Argentine Air Force)
;
;: Royal Australian Navy, Fleet Air Arm (RAN), Royal Australian Air Force (now operated by the Australian Army). Australian Iroquois pilots have served in Vietnam, Bouganville and Indonesia during the tsunami relief effort.
;
;
;
;: Given by DEA for Anti-Narcotic Missions
;
;: Brazilian Air Force
;
; Burma /
;
;: Canadian Forces CUH-1H entered service 1968, renamed CH-118 and retired 2005. Replaced by CH-146 Griffon^[6]
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;: The German Army and Airforce still use some UH-1D for transport and special duties. They are going to be replaced by the NHIndustries NH90.
;: Greek Air Force, Greek Army They are going to be replaced by NHIndustries NH90
;
;
;
;
;: Imperial Iranian Air Force / Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, Imperial Iranian Ground Forces / Islamic Republic of Iran Army
;
;
;: Italian Navy, Italian Army Aviation. Iroquois were license produced in Italy by Agusta, known as AB205B.
;
;: The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has used UH-1B and UH-1Hs produced under license by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., who made original improvements to create the UH-1J version. These are now being replaced by the UH-60JA Black Hawk.
;
;
;: The Lebanese Air Force has a fleet of around thirty UH-1H helicopters which are used for rescue missions, fire fighting, and fighting drug-smuggling.
;
;
;: Royal Netherlands Navy
;: 3. Sqn RNZAF. New Zealand Iroquois pilots served in Vietnam, the Sinai and East Timor. To be replaced by NHIndustries NH90.
;: The Royal Norwegian Air Force, until replaced by the Bell 412 in 1989.
;
;
;
;
;
;
;: The Philippine Air Force has used its UH-1H helicopters to fight Communist insurgents and Muslim separatists in various parts of the country. It has now undertaken the Huey II upgrade program in order to extend the operational life and capability of its Hueys.
;: 80 were built under licence by AIDC
;: Royal Saudi Air Force
;: Republic of Singapore Air Force, until replaced by the AH-64D Apache Longbow
;
;
;
;
;
;: Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Thai Army
;
;: Turkish Army, Turkish Gendarmerie, Turkish Navy, Turkish Air Force
;
;
;: Army Air Corps (Belize & Brunei)
;: US Marine Corps & US National Guard
;
;
;South Vietnam: Vietnam Air Force operated UH-1H from 1969 to 1975. Also two UH-1B carried VNAF insignia, one of them (62-2054) was a gift to Air Vice Marshall Nguyen-cao-Ky when he was VNAF Commander-in-Chief. Later this helicopter was used by Wisconsin National Guard and in 1982 was sent to Honduras.^[8]
;: Captured ex-VNAF UH-1Hs.
;
;
;

Specifications (UH-1D)

Popular culture

The image of American troops disembarking from a Huey has become a fixture in depictions of the Vietnam War, and can be seen in practically every movie, video game, and television show on the subject, as well as more modern settings.
Author Robert Mason recounts his career as a UH-1 "Slick" pilot in his memoir, Chickenhawk.

Citations

1. http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/military/bellUH-1Y.cfm Bell Helicopter UH-1 web site
2. Huey Cobra Gunships, , Chris, Bishop, Osprey Publishing, , ISBN 1-84176-984-3
3. http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/xm26tow.htm
4. Helicopter Losses During the Vietnam War
5. Reg 551-4
6. Canadian DND Bell CH-118 Iroquois webpage accessed 30 August 2007
7. Canadian DND Bell CH-118 Iroquois webpage accessed 30 August 2007
8.

References

★ Chant, Christopher, ''Fighting Helicopters of the 20th Century,'' Graham Beehag Books, Christchurch, Dorset, England (1996).

★ Debay, Yves, ''Combat Helicopters,'' France: Histoire & Collections (1996)

★ Drendel, Lou. ''UH-1 in Action''. Carrolton, TX: Squadron Signal. ISBN 0-89747-179-2

★ Francillon, Rene, J. ''Vietnam: The War in the Air'' New York: Arch Cape Press (1987)

★ Mesko, Jim, ''Airmobile: The Helicopter War in Vietnam,'' Squadron Signal Publications (1984).

★ Specifications for 204, 205 and 214 Huey Plus

★

★ Mutza, Wayne. ''UH-1 Huey in Colors''. Carrolton, TX: Squadron Signal. ISBN 0-89747-279-9

External links

★ The Bell UH-1 Huey at Greg Goebel's AIR VECTORS

★ UH-1N USAF fact sheet

★ FAS.org Huey profile

★ UH-1B history on Mojojets.com

★ UH-1H history on Mojojets.com

★ Philippine Air Force Huey II Project

★ Bell Helicopter Official Huey II site

★ An account of a Medal of Honor rescue flying a Green Hornet

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