So unassuming is the humble Huey (never called "Iroquois" by those who flew them) that its role as one of the major combat aircraft of the century is easily forgotten. More than 12,000 of all models were built and -- on any given day, during its heyday in Vietnam -- 2,000 could be in the air at once.

From 1962, when the first short-fuselage HU-1s arrived, to the later large-doored versions, they took on transport, utility and medevac or "dustoff" missions. The Huey later morphed into a gunship with multiple protrusions of guns and rocket pods added to protect and escort the unarmed troop-carrying "slicks."

When the new Huey Cobra appeared, a true Air Cavalry was born. Though most of the USAF machines are gone, the army expects to keep the Huey through the first decade of this century.

The UH-1B was an improved model that was equipped with the Lycoming T53-L-5 engine of 960 shp (716 kW), revised main rotor blades of 44 foot diameter and 21 inch chord, 13 inches higher rotor mast and a longer cabin that could accommodate seven passengers. This version was redesignated UH-1B in 1962.

Later production UH-1Bs were equipped with Lycoming T53-L-9 and L-11 engines of 1,100 shp (820 kW). Gross weight was 8,500 lb (3,850 kg) and the standard empty weight was 4,513 lb (2,047 kg).

Army testing of the "B" model started in November, 1960 with first production aircraft arriving in March, 1961. A total of 1010 "Bravo" models were delivered to the US Army. First deployment was in November 1963 when eleven were sent to Vietnam to join the "Alpha" models already in use by UTTCO.

Pictured here is a US Army Bell UH-1C Huey helicopter known as "Easy Rider", that was attached to the 174th Assault Helicopter Company "Dolphins and Sharks", during the 1970s. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Rotor Span: 7-1/2-inches
Length: 8-inches

Release Date: March 2023

Historical Account: "Dolphins and Sharks" - The 174th Aviation Company was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia on October 1st, 1965. On March 15th, 1966, the 174th Aviation Company departed Fort Benning, Georgia for Oakland, California, arriving in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam on April 6th, 1966. On April 7th, 1966, the unit established a base camp at Phu Tai Valley west of Qui Nhon and became the 174th Assault Helicopter Company and part of Task Force Oregon and later part of Airmobile Light. The 174th AHC was initially assigned to the 52nd Aviation Battalion. On May 24th, 1966, the 174th AHC was placed under the operational control 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Bridge and conducted combat assault mission with their sister helicopter companies of the 71st AHC "Rattlers and Fire Birds", 161st AHC "Pelicans and Scorpions", 176th AHC "Minutemen and Musket", 178th ASHC "Boxcars and "C" Troop", 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry's "Ruthless Riders". The majority of the 174th assaults were in the Phu Cat Mountains and associated valleys. The 174th Shark's Gun Platoon received permission from General Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers to use the famed Shark Mouth for their gunship platoon. The 174th Shark Mouth's painted helicopters became known through out Vietnam as the Sharks.