(above, as of 18 April 2013)
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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 | |
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" Helicopter
The iconic aircraft of the Vietnam War the distinctive wop-wop of the Huey's rotor blades stir the memories of the generation that came to age during the turbulent 1960s. Uniquely versatile, the multi-purpose UH-1 brought tactical flexibility to modern ground warfare. With the Huey's innovative design and rugged reliability, American commanders were able to strike whenever and wherever they wished. The UH-1 provided speed and surprise while retaining strong logistical support and the ability to adjust to the changing conditions of the battlefield.
One of the most successful aircraft designs ever built, the UH-1 grew out of the need to replace the cumbersome, mechanically complex helicopters brought into service after the end of the Second World War. Known as the "Huey" after the phonetic pronunciation of its initial model designation "HU-1", the aircraft was created by modifying a Bell Model 47 Sioux to provide enough room for seven soldiers or three stretchers. By 1962 the HU-1 had been re-designated the Utility Helicopter UH-1. The first helicopter produced in large numbers, the Huey was equipped with a turbine power plant driving a two-bladed semi-rigid main rotor and a two-bladed semi-rigid tail rotor taking the aircraft to speeds of over 100 mph.
In its first fifteen years, over 11 thousand UH-1's saw service in Vietnam. From the unarmed medical evacuation "Dust Offs" named for the clouds of grit kicked-up whenever they landed to lightly armed "Slicks", nicknamed for their unencumbered external appearance, and the heavily armed "Gunships" with its combinations of offensively oriented machine guns and rockets the UH-1 was the backbone of Army operations in Southeast Asia.
During its 50- year career, the UH-1 has served under some of the most adverse conditions imaginable, from the Arctic Circle to the most remote sun-baked deserts. Although all UH-1's have been retired from active military service in the United States, there are still hundreds in civilian use and serving in the armed forces of foreign nations.
The Museum's UH-1F
On display at March Field Air Museum is UH-1F serial number 63-13143. Designed specifically for the United States Air Force, the F model Huey's primary mission was to provide logistical support to Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile sites. Equipped with the more powerful General Electric T 58-GE-3 turbo-shaft engine, the "F" could carry up to ten passengers, making it suitable for its additional roles within the Air Force as a transport and rescue helicopter. This aircraft is on loan from the USAF.
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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 July 24, 1964. Its assignments were:
July 1964 - Aeronautical Systems Division (AF Systems Command), Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio. 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.
October 1965 - Air Force Flight Test Center (AF Systems Command), Edwards, AFB, California. (Converted to a JUH-1F Huey). X-15 Research Flight Test Program in the capacity of search, rescue and support. It supported X-15 s/n 56-6672.
February 1968 - Aeronautical Systems Division (AFSC), Wright Patterson AFB OH (converted back to a UH-1F)
May 1968 - Air Force Flight Test Center (AFSC), Edwards AFB CA
July 1971 - 319th Bombardment (Heavy) Wing (Strategic Air Command), Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. Ferry support for 321st Strategic Missile Wing crews to and from remote Minuteman II sites throughout North Dakota.
October 1973 - Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
January 1977 - Dropped from the Air Force inventory as surplus, 2,239 recorded airframe hours.
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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.
