The Bell UH-1 series of helicopters were the most widely used and known helicopter of the Vietnam War. Millions of television viewers worldwide watched troops leaping from hovering UH-1s into battle zones or watched others being loaded with battle casualties. The helicopters were universally more commonly known as the “Huey” rather than the official name of Iroquois. In February 1955, Bell Aircraft Corporation won a competition to develop and build a turbine-powered utility helicopter for the U.S. The new helicopter was designated Bell Model 204 and initially, the XH-40 under the US Air Force system. Three HX-40 prototypes were built. The first prototype first flew October 20, 1956.
The XH-40s were followed by six YH-40 service test aircraft, all delivered by August 1958. In 1956, US Army Aviation introduced its own designation system. The XH-40 became the XHU-1, and the YH-40 became the YHU-1 with HU standing for helicopter utility. It was this HU designation that gave birth to the famous Huey nickname.
Nine pre-production aircraft, designated HU-1, were first delivered in September 1958. By the end of 1959, the first production HU-1As were delivered to the US Army. These were the first of over 10,000 military Hueys built by Bell based on the Models 204, 205, and 212.
Different versions of the Huey flew with the US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines as well as over 60 foreign countries. In the first decade of the 21st Century the twin-turboshaft engine UH-1N flies with the US Air Force, Navy and Marines, and UH-1Y with the Marines. In January 1957, the Fort Worth, Texas, Helicopter Division of Bell became the Bell Helicopter Corporation. In 1960, Textron Incorporated bought Bell Helicopter Corporation, and renamed it the Bell Helicopter Company. In January 1976, the name of the company was changed to Bell Helicopter Textron, then in January 1982, to Bell Helicopter Textron, Incorporated. Under the Tri-Service Designation System of September 1962, the Iroquois became the H-1.
All HU-1As and HU-1Bs were re-designated UH-1As and UH-1Bs, respectively. The Huey went to war in April 1962, in Vietnam. US Army Aviation and Medical Ambulance Companies initially flew UH-1As (HU-1A) on MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) missions. In October 1962, armed utility troop transport HU-1As that became known as “slicks” arrived in South Vietnam. By the end of the year, over 300 Hueys were in South Vietnam, and the numbers would only grow during the war to eventually be in the thousands. Marine Corps H-1s began operating in Vietnam in 1965, and Navy and Air Force versions were in the war by 1966.
As later versions of the Huey were developed, the Army began using the UH-1Bs and UH-1Cs primarily as gunships that carried a wide variety of weaponry. UH-1Ds and UH-1Hs were used primarily as “slicks” and MEDEVAC choppers. Hueys went to war again, in Iraq in 1991, and again as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. With the exception of the twin-turbine UH-1N and UH-1Y, most Hueys have been replaced by the Sikorsky H-60 series of helicopters. Bell Helicopter Company, Forth Worth, Texas, originally built this UH-1H as an UH-1D-BF for the U.S. It differs from earlier models of the UH-1 in its larger cabin and more powerful engine.
The earlier models could accommodate two crew members and seven troops or three litters. The H version could carry two or three crew members plus 12 to 15 passengers or six litters. Compare the size of the crew cab door on this Huey to the second Huey in our collection. Over 2,000 UH-1Ds were built. Many were upgraded to UH-1H standards, and 3,573 UH-1Hs were built for the US Army. Combat Air Museum acquired this helicopter in November 1995.
Its last operational unit was with the 108th Aviation Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard, immediately south of this Museum. This helicopter is on loan from the US Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Michigan.
'Those daring young men in their flying machines.' That phrase has never been better used than when describing the young pilots who flew the Huey helicopters during the Vietnam War. Many different helicopters were used by all services in 'Nam - Chinook, Loach, Cobra, Sea Stallion, Huskie, Skycrane, and 'the Jolly Green Giant,' among many others. But it is the Bell UH-1 - universally known as the 'Huey' - that evokes an emotional connection with virtually every Vietnam Veteran.
Bell UH-1H-BF Iroquois (Huey). The Bell UH-1 series of helicopters were the most widely used and known helicopter of the Vietnam War. Serial number. Huey medevac helicopter – #174, derived from its serial number 67-17174 – that had served as an air ambulance during the Vietnam War and was shot down with two.
It was the one that was most engaged in battle, and the one that most directly touched the lives of the troops who served there. With a large red cross emblazoned on its nose, it served as a medical evacuation aircraft known as a 'dust-off.' A 'slick' was an unarmed Huey that was the workhorse of troop and supply transport missions. While flying their missions, whether during battle or calm, the dust-offs and slicks were escorted and covered in flight by the Huey gunships, which were armed on each side with 2.75' folding fin aerial rockets and 7. Equation Editor Mac 2011. 62mm or 50 caliber machine guns, manned by the crew's door gunners. The men, machines, and methods of this first 'helicopter war' were tried, tested, and proven in the first major American battle of the war that began on November 14, 1965, in the Ia Drang Valley.
From transporting large numbers of troops into the battle zone, to keeping them resupplied, to getting the wounded and dead quickly taken from the field, to then fending off the overwhelming numbers of enemy troops at close range with rockets and machine gun fire from the air, the pilots and their Hueys made the difference for the heavily outnumbered American ground forces in that battle. (This battle is detailed in the book, and follow-up movie, We Were Soldiers Once.And Young.) Two Huey pilots - Maj. Bruce Crandall and Cpt. Ed Freeman - later received the Medal of Honor for their actions at Ia Drang.
Theirs were only the first of many countless acts of heroism by helicopter pilots and their crews during the war. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, to a Viet Vet, a Huey is worth so much more.
For this reason, HVH is proud to have a UH-1 Gunship - itself a battle-scarred veteran of the war - to display at various events and in parades to help keep and honor the memory of all those who served, and especially those who 'gave all they had.' This UH-1 (M) helicopter, now displayed by HVH, was manufactured by Bell Helicopter Division of Bell Textron, Ft.
Worth, Texas, in April 1967. This helicopter was built as a Helicopter Gunship, thereby receiving the model designation (M). Upon acceptance by the U.S. Army, the helicopter was, in 1967, shipped to Vietnam. Upon arrival in Vietnam, it was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Air Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
As a Gunship, #0-59495 engaged in battle in support of ground troops and outpost locations under attack, and during rescue and extraction actions. It also flew routine escort missions, providing gun cover and support for unarmed troop and supply carrying helicopters, as well as 'dust-off' evacuation flights. It flew gun missions during three years in Vietnam - the remainder of 1967, 1968, and 1969. It was hit by enemy fire a number of times during those missions. In 1970 the Helicopter was shipped back to Bell Helicopter in the U.S.
For complete rebuild. After rebuild, the U.S. Army issued # 0-59495 to the Nebraska Army National Guard. It was utilized by the Nebraska National Guard until it was retired in 2005. Upon retirement, it was flown to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, to be used as a target drone. When the target drone program was cancelled, the U.S. Army determined that this Huey was “No longer serviceable for further military use.” In 2007, it was made available to Bill McPherson, (COL, USA, Ret) for public display.
It is now the property of the non-profit organization, Historic Vietnam Helicopter, Inc. It has been reconditioned and participates in parades, displays, and events along the Front Range in Colorado. In addition to countless parade viewers, this Huey has been viewed at static display sites by well over 300,000 visitors, and those numbers continue to grow. All machine guns and rockets displayed are demilitarized replicas, and all ammo displayed is blank ammo. Sing Along With Skankin Pickle RARE.
All fuel and hydraulic fluid has been drained from the Helicopter and the display is fire safe. Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Co. Type: Utility Helicopter Year Manufactured: 1967 Engine: Textron Lycoming T-53-L-13 Turboshaft, 1400 SHP, Jet Turbine Rotor Diameter: 44 ft Fuselage Length: 45 ft, 10 in Overall Length: 57 ft, 3 in Height: 14 ft Empty Weight: 5,549 lb Max Takeoff Weight: 10,500 lb Max Speed: 150 MPH Ceiling: 16,500 ft Range: 382 miles Crew: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief/ door gunner, 1 door gunner Armament: 4 ea 7.62mm, M-60A2 side mounted machine guns, 2 ea 7.62mm, M-60 machine guns, door mounted, 2 each Rocket Pods, each Pod contains 7 ea 2.75” folding fin aerial rockets. If you live on the east coast, you should check out the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's Association. They have several different models of Vietnam helicopters for display and participate in events throughout the Southeast.
You can find out more about this organization at their website: You can find more statistics about the Vietnam War - including myths and fact at: Learn about Helicopter Crew and Craft Loses at this VHPA link: The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association is a national organization whose membership is made up of rotary wing pilots who served in the Vietnam War. Their website is: The Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association offers links to a large number of Vietnam information resources. Just click on their 'Resources' tab from their home page.