The most popular light utility helicopter ever produced
The most widely used light utility helicopter ever made is the Bell Iroquois, also referred to as the Huey. In over 60 countries, the military has used some of its variants. Bell manufactured the UH-1 in two main versions: the twin-engine Models 212 and 412 and the single-engine Models 204 and 205.
The H-1 series began as the Bell XH-60 to meet an Army requirement for a utility helicopter for front-line evacuation of casualties, for general utility missions, and for instrument training. The XH-40 flew in late 1956, and the first production model, the HU-1A Iroquois, went to the Army on June 30, 1959.
Model 204 series major variations
The Model 204 series, which features a rotor with a diameter of 44 feet, included the first three significant Iroquois variations. Deliveries of the HU-1A with a T53-L-1A engine began on June 30, 1959, for utility transport and casualty evacuation with six seats or two stretchers. Following that model was the HU-1B with the 960-horsepower T53-L-5 engine, which accommodated eight passengers on three stretchers. It became the UH-1B when the HU designation changed to UH. This model served in Vietnam in various roles, including armed support. Southeast Asia was the proving ground for the gunship and demonstrated its value and potential. The last in the Model 204 series was the UH-1C, which had a 1,000-horsepower T-53-L-11 engine.
According to the Aviation Classics Issue 27—Bell UH-1 Iroquois, there were some field modifications to arm the UH-1 for its escort role in Vietnam. These were followed by official developments, initially given X or experimental designations.
UH-1 Huey armed with the Hughes BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile
As already mentioned, experiments to fit guided missiles to the UH-1 began with the AGM-22A, a license-built version of the Nord SS.11 wire-guided anti-tank missile aimed via an XM-70 sight. The UH-1 fitted with the AGM-22A was designated XM22/M22.
Additionally, the UH-1 carried the second generation of anti-tank missiles in the form of a triple tube launcher pod for the Hughes BGM-71 TOW (“Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided”), which was created in 1963. XM26/M26 was the designation of the Huey that was transporting the TOW.
These pods were supported by a specialized raised pylon, the system including the sight and sensor turret mounted in the copilot’s nose glazing. Two UH-1Bs, 62-12553 and 62-12554, were modified, and firing trials were conducted in Germany in 1964. The development of the AH-56 attack helicopter canceled the UH-1 TOW program, and these aircraft were stored.
The Easter Offensive and the increased use of armor by the North Vietnamese Army in 1972 meant the two TOW Hueys were deployed to Pleiku with the 1st Air Battalion. Here, they struck 47 targets, including 24 tanks, playing a crucial role in the Battle of Kontum in late May.
Aviation Classics Issue 27—Bell UH-1 Iroquois is published by Mortons Books and is available to order here.
Photo by U.S. Army