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| Description | |||
| Manufacturer: | Bell Helicopter (Textron), Ft. Worth, TX | ||
| Designation: | UH-1 | ||
| Version: | F | ||
| Nickname: | Iroquois (official), Huey (unofficial) | ||
| Type: | Helicopter (Utility / General purpose) | ||
| First Flew: | 02/20/1964 | ||
| Specifications | |||
| Length: | 41' 6" | 12.62 M | |
| Height: | 12' 8" | 3.81 M | |
| Rotor Span: | 48' | 14.63 M | |
| Empty Weight: | 4430.00 lbs | 2009.00 Kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 9000.00 lbs | 4081.00 Kg | |
| Max Weight: | 9500.00lbs | 4308.00 Kg | |
| Propulsion | |||
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | General Electric T58-GE-3 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 1272, 1325 shp, 820kw | ||
| Performance | |||
| Range: | 347 miles | 558.00 Km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 123.00 mph | 198.00 Km/H | 107.03 Kt |
| Max Speed: | 138.00 Mph | 222.00 Km/H | 120.00 Kt |
| Climb: | 2123.00 Ft/min | 647.06 M/min | |
| Ceiling: | 22000.0 Ft | 6705.30 M | |
More commonly referred to as the "Huey', this helicopter has performed in numerous roles. The "Huey' came to life as an Army Specification for a general purpose utility helicopter in 1955.
Used by more air forces and built in greater numbers -than any military aircraft since World War II, the Huey family of helicopters, grew from one single prototype, the XH-40. The UH-1 was the Army's first production line turbine powered helicopter. Over thirty years the aircraft gross weight has been tripled. Even the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter is based on the original Huey. Originally designated HU-1, this earned the nickname Huey with the seldom used official nickname the Iroquois. UH-1's were the backbone of Air Assault forces during the Vietnam War. Huey's were modified into gunships, emergency evacuation and command post versions. UH-l's are flown in navies around the world as antisubmarine aircraft. The UH-1 has served everywhere from the Arctic to the deserts and in 1960 set six world rotary wing records under adverse Texas summer conditions. Although some are over thirty years old, UH-1's still are active in foreign countries.
At present (January 2001), all UH-1F, TH-1F, and UH-1P Huey helicopters have since been retired from full active military service from the United States Air Force. To this day, there are still some UT-1F Huey's that are owned and operated by some small business's here in the U.S., but more so in the Mid-West and along the Eastern Sea board. There were about roughly about 10,000 Huey helicopters built by Bell Helicopter Textron in Fort Worth, Texas, and many different types as well were made just for the U.S. (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,J,M,N,&P). There were a little over 5,000 Huey's lost during the War in Vietnam, Laos, and in Cambodia. Today, the U.S. military is phasing out its Huey helicopter fleet from full military service and is now going with the UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-60 Sea Hawk.
The huey was always a work horse for the troops on the ground in a time of war, it served as a utility truck, an ambulance, a gunship and a troop transport and also helped in saving lives in a time of desperate need it ranks up there with the B-52 Stratofortress, the KC135 Stratotanker, the C-130 Hercules and the F-4 Phantom, it proudly served over 30 years of service and the crews whom did serve with these birds did so with-out complaint. Today the Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association is still keeping the huey helicopter (as well as other types) in the spot light due to its popularity.
UH-1F Huey Helicopter History
On 7 June 1963 the U.S. Air Force named Bell Helicopter the winner of its design competition held to select an "off-the-shelf" helicopter for ICBM missile site support. Built specifically for the Air Force, the UH-1F was based on the short-bodied model 204 and was a continuation of the U.S. Army's UH-1B series initially known as the H-48 in the USAF designation system. The first initial batch of 25 UH-1F Huey helicopters were to be built for the United States Air Force in 1963-64. The UH-1F could carry up to ten passengers plus the pilot.
A second contract was for 26 UH-lF Huey helicopters, and they were delivered on January 24, 1964. A third contract was for 55 UH-1F Huey's; they were delivered on November 12 ,1964. Production for these Helicopters was extended all the way to November 1966. In all, there was a total of 119 UH-1F Huey helicopters built by Bell Helicopter Textron in Fort Worth, Texas. The Air Force ordered the UH-1F variant with a lengthened tail boom to accommodate a baggage compartment. The first batch of U. S. Air Force UH-1F Huey's were delivered in a dark blue gloss fuselage with a gloss white cabin roof and high visibility markings. Some UH-1F Huey's were painted an overall light gray with a gloss white cabin roof and engine compartment. The AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command) had their own paint scheme for the 20th Special Operations Squadron Green Hornets (this was the only U. S. Air Force unit in the Vietnam War that Operated UH-1F Huey's at that time). It was finished with a three-color-tone camouflage that consisted of dark green, medium green and a tan color over a light gray undersurface. Later the UH-1F Huey's were replaced by the UH-1N Huey's, but due to the classified nature of their missions, these Huey's only carried the serial number and the Green Hornet insignia on the tail fin. The first unit to receive the UH-1F Huey was the 4486th Test Squadron based at Eglin AFB, Florida. This unit received two of these types of helicopters in September of 1964.
When the United States Air Force phased out all of their UH-1F Huey helicopters, the local California Department of Forestry began to purchase these Huey's for air attack on wild fires throughout the State.
Today the UH-1F Huey helicopters are all completely phased out of service from both the United States Air Force and the California Department of Forestry
United States Air Force TH-1F Huey Trainer
The TH-1F was built as a follow-on to the Air Force's UH-1F, and was often used as a trainer, including hoist training. Bell received an Air Force contract for twenty-seven TH-lF's in May of 1966. The first example was flown in January of 1967 with deliveries being made from April to July of 1967.
A total of 27 TH-1F Huey trainers were built for instrumentation training for all U.S. Air Force pilots. These types of trainers were added to a student pilot training course. This course provides the student with the necessary skills and knowledge that leads into the qualification in the UH-1F Huey helicopter. The training includes physical and mental skills and information objectives for accomplishment of basic rotary wing transition flight tasks and rotary instrument qualification. The rotary wing qualification course is 11 weeks in length and is organized into the following two phases. The first phase is "transition". It is 6 weeks long and consists of 38.5 hours of academic instruction and 33.0 aircraft flight hours. The second phase is "instruments". It is 5 weeks long and consists of 24 hours of academic instruction and 33.0 flight hours.
United States Air Force UH-1P Huey Gunships
The UH-1F served the 20th SOS as a 'slick' or troop carrier - and when heavily armed, it was designated the UH-1P. Most sources will state that the UH-1P was used for 'psywar' missions in Southeast Asia because government released versions of 20th SOS activities say so. However, the UH-1P was, in fact, a gunship armed with pintle-mounted miniguns and rocket pods on the hard points. Twenty six UH-lF's were converted to UH-1P Gunships, with most of them being assigned to the Green Hornets. This model was unique to the 20th SOS, with 'F' and 'P' designations often being used interchangeable within the unit.
There were only 20 UH-1P Huey helicopters built and delivered to the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command. This particular type Huey was used for the gunship role. It was armed with a pair of GAU-2B/A 7.62 mm mini guns and two LAU-59/A 2.75 mm rocket pods mounted on both sides of the aircraft. The mini guns could be locked into a forward position and could be fired by the aircraft commander (the pilot) or it could be aimed and fired manually by the door gunners in the cabin. During the Vietnam War there was a total of 6 UH-1F/P's lost to enemy combat.
20th SOS Huey's
While purchased for missile site support, the U.S. Air Force also used the UH-1F Huey for staff transport, cargo delivery, security, and rescue. A number of UH-lF's served with the 606th Air Commando Squadron in Thailand during the early 1960's. Huey's from this unit were later used to form the 20th Special Operations Squadron (20th SOS) known as the 'Green Hornets', which relocated to Vietnam in 1966. 20th SOS UH-lF's served as transports for highly classified Special Operations Group (SOG) teams, which conducted 'cross boarder' operations. These Huey's were fitted with armored seats, rope ladders or hoists, and M-60 machine guns suspended from cords in the cargo doorways.
All 20th SOS Huey's were painted in the 'tri-tone' camouflage scheme peculiar to USAF aircraft during this period. Green Hornet UH-1F Huey's had the later style screened particle separator units retrofitted to the engine intakes. Many of these Huey's were later observed having two UHF/VHF blade type antennas mounted on the cabin roof, one behind the other. When replaced by UH-lNs, many UH-lFs were used for range support duties or found their way onto the inventories of fire fighting agencies.
The 20th SOS (Special Operation Squadron) Green Hornets were the only unit that used these type of helicopters. The Air Force also used the UH-1P gunships. Both UH-1F and UH-1P helicopters were equipped with a 7.62mm minigun that could spit up to 6,000 rounds. The unit was activated at Tan Son Nhut Air Base (Saigon) in South Vietnam, but it sometimes was used for classified missions into Laos and Cambodia. Due to the classified nature of their missions, these Huey's carried no other markings other than their serial numbers and a Green Hornet insignia on the tail boom. There were a total of 6 UH-F/P's lost due to heavy combat in the Vietnam War, but there was one UH-1F Huey pilot that flew into Air Force history. His name was Lt James P. Fleming, a 20th SOS pilot that received the Medal of Honor for his actions. These types of helicopters were also used for very special classified psychological warfare missions as well as the gunship role.
Engines
Since the Air Force had an abundance of General Electric T58-GE-3 engines in stock (the same engine used in the HH-3), they directed Bell to build the Huey airframe to accept the General Electric T58 engine. The T58 had to be mounted backwards since its driveshaft ran aft to the transmission, necessitating engineering efforts to route intake and exhaust duct work around the engine. The Lycoming exhaust area was faired over and the T58 tailpipe ended up on the starboard side. This distinctive T58-GE arrangement was not as efficient as the Lycoming engine arrangement, but it did use up existing stocks of GE engines. Initial production models featured the early style Bell mouth intake.
The T58-GE-3 produced 1,325 shp for a max speed of 138 mph and a range of 392 miles. Fuel capacity was 245 gallons and a gross weight was 9,000 pounds. The 48-foot rotor with a 21-inch chord was the same rotor carried on the UH-1D. For rotor clearance the D model tailboom was used, which had a two-bay baggage compartment built into the standard side below the exhaust. This brought the overall length up to 41 feet 5 inches.
The Museum's UH-1F
On display is the UH-1F model "Huey. The "F" model was designed specifically for the United States Air Force. Its primary mission was to supply and support our intercontinental ballistic missile sites. Equipped with the more powerful General Electric T 58-GE-3 turbo-shaft engine, the "Hueys' could carry ten passengers plus a pilot. In addition to missile site support, the "F" model was used as a personnel transport and rescue helicopter. Some UH-1F's were assigned to the 20th Special Operations and 21st Special Operations Squadrons. This aircraft is on loan from the USAF.
According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA/RSA), Maxwell AFB, AL, the museum's UH-1F has the following history:
UH-1F Huey Helicopter s/n 63-13143 (Model 204) was manufactured by Bell Helicopter (Textron) in Fort Worth, Texas and delivered to the United States Air Force on 24 July 1964. Its assignments were:
Jul 1964 - To Aeronautical Systems Division (AF Systems Command), Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. It was used for: Climatic Hanger Evaluation at Eglin AFB, Florida, and Arctic Evaluation at Eielson AFB, Alaska; Adverse Weather Tests at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and at Desert Test Center in Yuma, Arizona.
Oct 1965 - To Air Force Flight Test Center (AF Systems Command), Edwards, AFB, California. (Converted to a JUH-1F Huey). It was assigned to the X-15 Research Flight Test Program in the capacity of search, rescue and support. It supported X-15 s/n 56-6672.
Feb 1968 - To Aeronautical Systems Division (AFSC), Wright Patterson AFB OH (converted back to a UH-1F)
May 1968 - To Air Force Flight Test Center (AFSC), Edwards AFB CA
Jul 1971 - To 319th Bombardment (Heavy) Wing (Strategic Air Command), Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. It was used for ferry support for 321st Strategic Missile Wing crews to and from remote Minuteman II sites throughout North Dakota.
Oct 1973 - To Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center, Davis-Monthan AFB, in Arizona.
Jan 1977 - Dropped From Air Force inventory as surplus with 2,239 airframe hours when retired.
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The following text provides additional information with some repetition of the above:
Specifications For UH-lF Huey Helicopter
Manufactured: Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, Texas
Designation: UH-1
Variant: F
Model: 204
Official Name: Iroquois
Total Number UH-1F Built: 119
Class: 2 Rotary Wing
Branch of Service: United States Air Force
Type: Helicopter (utility/general purpose)
First Flown: February 20th 1964
Aircraft Weight: 9,000 lbs
Aircraft Weight Empty: 4,403 lbs.
Length of Fuselage: 44 ft 7 inches
Height of Fuselage: 14 ft 7 inches
Skid Track: 7 ft 10.3/4 inches
Main Rotor Blade: (each) 38.5 sq. ft
Rotor Span: 14.63 m (48 ft 0 inches)
Rotor Chord: 21 inches
Diameter of Tail Rotor: 8 ft 6 inches
Hovering Ceiling in Ground Effect: 18,700 ft
Hovering Ceiling out of Ground Effect: 15,200 ft
Number of Engines: 1
Powerplant: General Electric T58-GE-3 Turboshaft Engine
Horsepower: 820 kw (1,325 shp)
Engine Weight: 305 lbs.
Engine Length: 59 inches
Fuel Types: JP-4, JP-5 and JP-8
Fuel Capacity: 245 Gallons
Overload Fuel Capacity: 410 Gallons
Range with Max Fuel: 392 Miles
Lifting Capacity: 1,815 kg (4,000 lbs) of cargo
Service Ceiling: 2,200 ft
Climb Per Minute: 2,123 ft
Cruising Speed: 123 mph
Maximum Speed: 138 mph
Radio Frequency Channels: 126
Crew: 1 Pilot (Aircraft Commander) 1 Co-Pilot and up to 10 Passengers
Primary Mission: Missile Site Support
Other Missions: Search and Rescue, Research and Development and
Special Operations
Museum's UH-1F Helicopter S/N 63-13143 History
Manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron in Fort Worth, Texas (this is a model 204). It was the third UH-1F Huey off the assembly line out of 119 built between 1964 and 1967. It was also called a UH-48 Helo. It was delivered to the United States Air Force on July 24th 1964. Its assignments were the following:
July 1964:
To Aeronautical Systems Division (Air Force Systems Command) Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Aircraft was converted into a JUH-1F Huey upon receipt and was instrumented for Category II Flight Testing. The JUH-1F Huey was subjected to testing in a desert environment during July and August of 1964. The tests were conducted at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station, in Yuma, Arizona. Test missions were flown on the JUH-1F at temperatures exceeding 110 degrees. The objective of this program was to evaluate the performance of this aircraft under conditions of maximum ambient temperature, maximum solar radiation, blowing sand etc. A special sand ingestion test was conducted on the JUH-1F to study the effects of sand ingestion on engine performance. Deficiencies associated with desert operation were defined for this aircraft. In general, the JUH-1F performed well in the desert environment. Category II Climatic Laboratory Tests: JUH-1F was subjected to extreme temperature tests in the Climatic Laboratory during the reporting period. The tests were conducted during the period of September to November 1964 and was tested at temperatures from -65 to + 125 degrees. The JUH-1F exhibited deficiencies in the engine gear box lubrication system. Extreme Temperatures on the JUH-1F was defined and reported to the appropriate System Program Office. Category II Arctic Tests; planning was completed for Category II Arctic Tests of the JUH-1F. Initial testing began at Eielson AFB, Alaska during last week of December 1964. Flight tests on the JUH-1F would continue during January and February 1965 in order to evaluate the performance of the JUH-1F under actual arctic conditions, and in-flight natural icing tests under weather conditions. The tests were significant to the extent that a major design change for engine icing shield was recommended prior to the aircraft's release for icing flights. Operating procedures were formulated for the Pilot's Operating Manual. The climatic evaluation of JUH-1F Huey helicopter S/N 63-13143, piloted by Capt. Allen G. Myers, III, consisted of testing the helicopter in the Climatic Laboratory, Eglin AFB, Florida, and in the Alaskan environment at Eielson AFB, Alaska. During this evaluation, the helicopter was subjected to temperatures ranging from 65 to +125 degrees. No major discrepancies were found. In addition to the temperature evaluation and in support of the adverse weather tests conducted at Wright-Patterson AFB and Alaska, the JUH-1F was evaluated under various weather conditions to determine instrument procedures for Section IX of the Pilots Manual. Flights were conducted in natural/artificial icing conditions. Extensive operations (including sling work) in deep snow covered areas with and without skis were conducted. Subsequent to the climatic and adverse weather tests, the new engine inlet filter was tested on the helicopter in an effort to reduce the FOD hazards that were presently being encountered by turbine helicopters. Sometime after June 30th 1965 JUH-1F Huey helicopter S/N 63-13143 was reconverted back into a UH-1F Huey. It remained at Wright-Patterson AFB until its departure to Edwards AFB in October 1965. Aircraft was painted in original Strategic Air Command colors, blue fuselage, white top cab and bright yellow stripe around the aft end of the tail boom, also included was an Aeronautical Systems Division crest on the sides of the aircraft.
On April lst 1961, the Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) was succeeded by Air Research and Development Command (ARDC). Under the realignment, WADD (Wright Air Development Division), merged with the Aeronautical Systems Center of Air Materiel Command to form Aeronautical Systems Division (ASD). Aeronautical Systems Division was headquartered at Wright Field under the command of Major General Charles H. Terhune, Jr., from July of 1964 to June 1st 1967.
Oct 1965:
To Air Force Flight Test Center (AFSC) Edwards AFB, California. As soon as it arrived on October 12th 1965 it was assigned to the North American X-15 Test Flight Program (this was a joint project between NASA and the United States Air Force), in the capacity of search, rescue and support. As such, it would have spent much of its time transiting to local dry lake beds which would have been designated as Emergency/Alternate landing fields for the X-15. It was standard practice during the program to have aerial coverage of Harper, Cuddeback, Delamar, Rosamond and other dry lakes while the X-15 was in the air. Other missions would have involved making flights to these lakes on flight days to ensure that they were hard enough to sustain an emergency landing. There was a total of 199 X-15 Test Flights. UH-1F Huey S/N 63-13143 supported a total of 48 of these flight missions from flight 152 on October 12 1965 to flight 199 on October 24th 1968.
In 1966 UH-1F 13143 also participated in Project Turn Green (this was at the time a classified special project that was run by the CIA at the northern end of Edwards AFB. It's possible that this project was part of the MARS Program (Mid Air recovery System), and that UH-1F 13143 was used for testing in the retrieval of small satellites falling back to earth with a parachute attached to them, but this information is still unconfirmed.
In addition to its X-15 support duties, while being stationed at Edwards AFB it was also assigned to the 6512th Test Squadron of the 6510th Test Wing. Another UH-1F Huey Helicopter (S/N 63-13142) and a straight wing C-130 Hercules aircraft were also used as support aircraft for the X-15.
Edwards AFB was formerly in the USAF organization known as Air Research and Development Command. It was later re-designated as Air Force Systems Command on April 1st 1961 and inactivated on July 1st 1992.
In those years, the Commanding Generals of the Air Force Systems Command were General Bernard A. Schriever (April 25th 1959 to August 31st 1966), and General James Ferguson (September 1st 1966 to August 30th 1970).
For economy reasons UH-1F 13143 was painted in an Army olive drab color. However, it kept its USAF lettering on both sides of the tail boom, along with the Air Force Systems Command crest on the aft end of the fuselage just below the engine cowling.
July 1971
To 319th Bombardment (Heavy) Wing (Strategic Air Command), Grand Forks, AFB, in North Dakota. Assigned to the l5th Air Force, this UH-1F Huey was used for ferry support for the 321st Strategic Missile Wing crews. It carried the missile crews as well as equipment and spare parts for the Minuteman Missile II silos all throughout North Dakota. At this time there were a total of seven UH-1F Huey helicopters that were assigned to Strategic Missile silos in North Dakota.
UH-1F 13143 was repainted in a three-tone camouflage color (a light tan, light green and an olive drab color). This was a common paint scheme for most of the Strategic Missile Wings UH-1F Huey helicopters.
Sept 1973
To Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. Arrived on September 14th, 1973 for maintenance and engine overhaul,
UH-1F 13143 was not assigned to any major operational unit. Flew back to Grand Forks AFB on 09/20/73
Sept 1973
Returned to Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota. Continued ferry support for 321st SMW for a short time. When finished, it was readied for flight to Davis-Monthan AFB for decommission from U. S. Air Force service.
Around this time, the Commanding Generals of Strategic Air Command were, General Bruce K. Holloway (July 29th 1968 to April 30th 1972), and General John C. Meyer (May 1st 1972 to July 31st 1974). The organization established as Continental Air Forces on December 13th 1944 was redesignated as Strategic Air Command on March 21st 1946. SAC was reorganized and renamed again on June 1st 1992.
Oct 1973
To Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center, Davis-Monthan AFB, in Tucson, Arizona. After it arrived from Grand Forks AFB, it was stripped of all vital parts for other UH-lF's that were still in service. It was than cocooned and placed into storage for roughly 8 years.
Jan 1977
Aircraft dropped from U.S. Air Force inventory as surplus with a total of 2,239 hours on the airframe when officially retired from Military service.
Mar 1981
To 22nd Bombardment (Heavy) Wing (Strategic Air Command), March AFB, in Riverside, California (15th Air Force). Arrived on 03/05/81. It was placed on a flat bed trailer and trucked from Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona, to the March Field Museum for permanent static display (not back to flight status) at the old commissary building that the museum was using.
Sept 1998
To March Field Air Museum, March ARB, Riverside, California. Brought into Adopt-an-Aircraft Program (on 09/02/98) by Civilian Volunteer Michael Craig Clary.
Sept l999
March Field Air Museum, March ARB, CA. UH-1F Huey #63-13143 is painted in original SAC colors.
April 2001
California Department of Forestry, located (as of 04/23/01) at Mather AFB, Sacramento, California, makes a major donation to March Field Air Museum's restoration project of the UH-1F Huey helicopter S/N 63-13143. Items donated were: instrumentation, sound proofing, seat belts, shoulder harness's, head pads, upper green house windows, wind shield wipers, aft tail lights, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, air filter, map lights, cyclic hand grip, collective and cyclic stick boots, bench seats, General Electric T58-GE-3 Turboshaft Engine Speed Decreaser Gearbox, etc. Volunteers that retrieved items were Craig Clary, Dave Clary and Pappy Popanda.
(As of March 5, 2001, UH-1F #63-13143 has been on static display at the March Field Air Museum for 20 years)
Sept 2001
March Field Air Museum, March ARB, Riverside, CA. As of Sept 2, 2001, Civilian Volunteer and Restoration Crew Chief Craig Clary has worked on this project for 4+ years.
