Bell UH-1H 66-16782
A true Vietnam Combat Veteran.
Airframe History of UH-1H 66-16782
Built in early 1967 as a “D” model.
Arrived in Vietnam September 1967 and assigned to Company A, 229th Aviation Battalion, Assault Helicopter, 1st Cavalry Division.
January 1968-May 1968, rotated between the 229th Aviation Battalion and 355th Aviation Company with the 4th Army and Bell Helicopter.
June 1968-February 1969, shipped back to the United States, we assume damaged and needed repairs, converted to a H model by Bell Helicopter and shipped back to Vietnam.
March 1969-January 1970, assigned to Troop D, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division.
February 1970-May 1970, remained with 605th Transportation company, assuming for damage repairs.
June 1970-November 1970, assigned to A Company, 4th Aviation Battalion, 4th Infantry Division.
December 1970-June 1971, assigned to 128th Assault Helicopter Company.
July 1971-December 1971, assigned to US Navy Seawolf Squadron 3.
January 1972-January 1974, shipped back to the United States and placed in storage.
February 1974-December 1975, stationed with the 1st Army at Ft. Rucker Alabama. Finishing its military career with 3,974 hours of total flight time.
1990, Aquired by new owner, Southwest Florida Aviation, and leased to operators with worldwide projects.
2011, Sold to Matetsi Trust, Free State, South Africa, and used for customer transport and fire control.
September 2022, purchased by current owner, and returned to the United States, and placed on loan to the Aviation Heritage Foundation.
Bell UH-1H Specifications
Crew: 1–4
Capacity: 3,880 pounds including 11–14 troops, 6 stretchers and attendant, or equivalent cargo
Length: 57 ft 9+5⁄8 in (17.618 m) with rotors
Width: 9 ft 6+1⁄2 in (2.908 m) (over skids)
Height: 14 ft 5+1⁄2 in (4.407 m) (tail rotor turning)
Empty weight: 5,210 lb (2,363 kg)
Gross weight: 9,039 lb (4,100 kg) (mission weight)
Max takeoff weight: 9,500 lb (4,309 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming T53-L-13 turboshaft, 1,400 shp (1,000 kW) (limited to 1,100 shp (820 kW) by transmission)
Main rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
Main rotor area: 1,809.56 sq ft (168.114 m2)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 127 mph
Cruise speed: 110 mph
Range: 318 mi
Service ceiling: 12,600 ft
Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min )
History of the Bell UH-1 Iriquois “Huey”
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed "Huey") is a utility military helicopter designed and produced by the American aerospace company Bell Helicopter. It is the first member of the prolific Huey family, as well as the first turbine-powered helicopter in service with the United States military.
The distinctive sound of the rotor blades “clap” can be recognized by military and civilian personnel around the world. Serving as almost a “swiss army knife”, providing air assault, cargo transport, aeromedical evacuations, and search and rescue. The UH-1 was revolutionary in shaping military doctrine, that freed infantry from the limits of terrain. Landing in landing zones (LZ), to drop troops for assaults, the UH-1 operated in intense environments with anti-aircraft fire being common. The Huey worked side by side with Air Force HH-3’s, known as, Jolly Green Giant, to rescue downed airmen. Over 7,000 UH-1’s were built for the Southeast Asian theatre, with over 3,000 believed to have been destroyed. It is difficult to find any soldier who served in Southeast Asia, who did not have at least one experience with a UH-1.
