The Vietnam Era

Spud · **Posted:** Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:18 pm

This may be correct, but I feel there may of been a civilian Huey produced. there is version that is longer than the miltary one that was used on the oil rigs in the 60's. Need to check it up, my son has a lot of information on aircraft.

Spud · **Posted:** Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:39 pm

The Huey 204 (HU-1) was first produce in October 1956.

I was wrong, it was not till the Huey 214 (1970) was produced that a civilian version was produced.

So that helicopter the Huey has been around some 48years, and still going strong. Not bad for a helicopter developed from the Korean war experience.

Seejay · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:06 am

Thanks Spud. Jeez, I didn't know they'd been around that long.

Cheers

CJ

Spud · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:08 am

Bell Model 204/ 205/ 212/214 UH-1 Iroquois

Background
The US Army issued a US Army requirement for a utility helicopter in 1954, and received 20 responses. Bell's model 204 was the design winner. Three prototypes were ordered as the XH-40, and the first flew on October 22, 1956. Powered by the 700hp XT53-L-1 turboshaft, it was the US Army's first turbine powered aircraft. By this time six 700hp T53-L-1A powered and slightly modified service test aircraft had been ordered, and these were delivered by August 1958. The pre-production model of the UH-1A was powered by the 770hp T53-L-1A, and began delivery on June 30, 1959. The original military designation of HU-1 gave rise to the common name 'Huey', although the designation was changed to UH-1 in 1962. The UH-1A carried a crew of 1 or 2, and up to 5 passengers or 1,361kg (3,000lb) payload. 173 were built up to March 1961, and 14 were converted to TH-1A dual-trainers.

The HU-1B entered US service in March 1961. This had a lengthened fuselage with an enlarged cabin. As well as the two crew it could carry seven passengers, or 1,361kg (3,000lb) freight. The engine was the 960hp T53-L-5, later uprated to the 1,100hp T53-L-9 or T53-L-11 driving wider rotor blades on a taller mast. Production continued up to 1965 and amounted to 1014 aircraft. The UH-1C entered service in September 1965. Further changes to the fuselage were accompanied by increased fuel capacity, a revised rotor and mast and the later T53-L-11 powerplant. 749 were built. Other variants included the UH-1E which entered service in 1964 for the USMC. This was similar to the UH-1C, but used more aluminium in the structure to suit service in a marine environment, increased fuel, and a winch (192 built between 1964 and 1967, plus 20 TH-1E trainers). The UH-1F was a UH-1B fitted with a 1,100hp GE T58-GE-3 engine and larger diameter rotors, capable of carrying 10 passengers or a 1,814kg (4000lb) payload. Built for the USAF it was intended for missile site support (119 built between 1964 and 1967, plus 26 TH-1F trainers). The USN used the HH-1K (27 1,400hp T53-L-13 powered SAR variants of the UH-1E), the UH-1L and TH-1L( 8 and 90 1,100hp T53-L-13 powered utility and training variants of the UH-1E). The UH-1M was 3 UH-1C converted to carry missiles and night sensors for evaluation by the US Army, and the UH-1P was 20 UH-1F converted for psychological warfare.

The civil variant was the 10 seat model 204B, which is similar to the UH-1B with the 1,100hp T53-L-11 powerplant and UH-1F style rotors. Bell licensed production of the model 204 to Mitsubishi in 1962, who in turn sub-licensed to Fuji. They produced the model 204B-2 in 1967 which utilised the uprated Kawasaki license-built T-53, and shifted the tail rotor from port to starboard. 124 helicopters in total were built. In Italy Bell licensed Augusta who produced the T53-L-11A powered AB204 from 1961 to 1974. There were several variants including the RR Gnome H.1000 powered AB204B-11 and AB204B-21 (differentiated by a 1.22m (4'0ft) increase in rotor diameter, and the RR Gnome H.1200 powered AB204B-12 and AB204B-22 (with larger rotor). Augusta also produced the T58-GE-3 AB204AS maritime model. Augusta production was 238 aircraft.

The aircraft was then developed again through enlarging the cabin (a fuselage stretch of 1.04m/ 3'5ft) and improving the powerplant (1,100hp T53-L-11) and performance (rotor diameter increased by 1.22/4'0ft) to the point where the revised aircraft was considered a seperate model. The Model 205 or UH-1D was ordered as the YUH-1D in July 1960 and first flew on August 16, 1961. Production deliveries to the US Army began in August 1963. The new model could carry a pilot and 12 passengers, or a 1,814kg (4000lb) payload. Production came to 2,008 aircraft. This was followed by the 1,400hp T53-L-13 powered UH-1H which began deliveries to the US Army in September 1967. Production came to 4,890 aircraft. The HH-1H is a USAF SAR version, while the EH-1H has an ECM role. 220 UH-1H helicopters were converted to UH-1V for the medivac role. The UH-1H has been upgraded over the years with improvements to the fuel system and avionics, powerplant upgrades, and the introduction of composite rotor blades.

The civil variant was the Model 205A-1, powered by the 1,250shp T53-L-13B powerplant, and seating 15. Augusta produced 490 under license as the AB-205A-1 between 1969 and 1988, for the military and civil market. Fuji in Japan produced 107 Fuji Bell model 205A-1 under license from 1973. These were powered by the Kawasaki license built 1,400shp T53-K-13B and featured a similar 'tractor' tail rotor to the earlier model 204B-2. In addition AIDC in Taiwan completed 118 aircraft under license between 1969 and 1976, while Dornier in Germany produced 348 for their military.

In 1964 Bell further developed the model 205 by introducing a twin engine design. Known as the model 208, this featured the 1,240hp Continental XT67-T-1 powerplant, which consisted of two T72-T-2 turboshafts (each of which could support the aircraft) coupled through a gear box to a single driveshaft. The increase in performance and safety was attractive, and in 1968 the Canadian armed forces ordered what would be the model 212. The prototype flew in April 1969, powered by the 1,290 PWC PT-6T-3 powerplant. Delivery of 50 aircraft to Canada began in 1971. Later models utilised the PT-6T-3B. The model 212 was also adopted by the US military as the UH-1N. Delivery to the USAF of what would be 70 airframes began in 1971, while the USN and USMC took 221 aircraft. The VH-1N VIP transport (2 new-built and 6 conversions) is a variant. The model 212 received civil certification on June 30,1971, a 14 passenger version having been developed in parallel to the UH-1N. The large capacity and twin engine safety has made it popular with many operators in the medium lift, oil rig support and other roles. Augusta in Italy have license built the civil model AB212, as well as developing the maritime AB212ASW model. The model 412 is a development of the model 212, primarily distinguished by a four bladed rotor. Having first flown in August 1979 and been certified in February 1980, the first deliveries were made in January the following year. The aircraft is produced under license by Augusta as the AB412, and the Griffon military version. The type is also produced in Indonesia.

In 1970 the prototype model 214 was flown as an improved UH-1H. Using the 1,900shp T53-702 powerplant with a bigger rotor and strengthened airframe, it was capable of carrying 16 passengers. This went into production as the model 214A powered by the 2,930shp LTC4B-8D powerplant, first flying on March 13, 1974. Initial customer was the Iranian Air Force who ordered 293 aircraft, with deliveries beginning on April 26, 1975. They also took 39 SAR models designated the model 214C. The 214B was a civil version known as the 'BigLifter' aimed at medium lift, agricultural and fire-fighting operators. The model was produced between 1976 when it was certified (January 27) and 1981. After 1975 Bell began work on the twin engine model 214ST for Iran, but this ceased following the revolution in that country. Bell continued development work, and the prototype flew in February 1977 Certification was achieved in 1982. The aircraft is powered by two 1,625shp GE CT7-2 powerplants and can can carry up to 19 people.

Try this kiwi site has some good photos

http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/iroquois.html

Seejay · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:39 am

Let us not forget that today is Australia's Long Tan Day, to remember the Battle of Long Tan in South Vietnam. Although renamed Vietnam Veteran's day by some government department, it's still known by it's original name by most veterans.

The ceremony up here has been held in the rain, which is, I guess, appropriate.

Also comes the news today that filmmakers are well on their way to filming the battle in the foreseeable future, in the jungles north of here.

And in acknowledgement of the day, I have reprinted the recollections of a friend of mine who fought at Nui Le some years later.

I served as a Rifleman/signaller in Delta Company 4RARNZ in South Vietnam 1971-1972, and for the major part of my time in-country I was out in the scrub searching for the enemy - whether the enemy was Viet Cong, NVA Regulars, or even the kid beside the road signalling our progress to the bad guys.

During my time there we were involved in many skirmishes, firefights and near-misses, but nothing anywhere near as bad as September 1971, when I was sure I was going to die. For a few days prior to the 21st September, we had been in contact on a number of occasions in the Nui Le district with well-armed & well-trained enemy troops which we assumed to be North Vietnamese Regular Army. Our assumption was correct, as they turned out to be the 3/33 Battalion NVA - close to 1,000 men.

Two of our platoons were patrolling along two separate tracks in front of us, both of which had had at least 200 enemy use them very recently. As we were down on numbers and searching for over 400 NVA, tensions were very high to say the least, and this was compounded by the knowledge that they would be in a very well-fortified bunker system and most likely well aware of our approach.

Then at about 0830 the enemy initiated contact by launching RPG’s (rockets) at us, killing a forward scout and wounding a couple of others. An extremely fierce firefight then took place for quite some time before the casualties could be withdrawn to a more secure location and evacuated. After a couple of hours of extremely heavy bombardment of the enemy positions by both artillery and Air Force, we formed up for a full company assault on the bunker system - BAD MOVE! After we crawled on our guts for about 30 metres into the system (which looked empty) the shit hit the fan in a big way! What started out as a few weapons firing built up in a couple of seconds to a noise level that I could never adequately describe to someone who hasn’t experienced the same thing - without sounding as though I was exaggerating!

The amount of good cover available to us was almost non-existent, so we did what we could for protection while it seemed that every bullet ever made snapped and howled over our heads for such a long time. As I was carrying the radio on my back I presented a much better target, and I knew that I would be targetted due to the bloody thing - the enemy aimed for machine gunners, people in command and radio operators in that order. At that time I was that terrified that I tried to dig in with my bare hands to gain some sort of cover. I knew that I was going to die, and wondered not if, but how it was going to happen, and hoped that it would be quick. Strangely enough, I even wondered what it would be like being dead, and if I’d meet relatives ‘up there’. We were resupplied with ammo and water by chopper twice during the action, but the choppers couldn’t land as we hadn’t any landing area available, so the aircrew threw the supplies down to us from treetop level - about 10 to 15 metres above ground. The ammunition survived the fall OK, but we lost a fair amount of the water from split containers.
We eventually withdrew from the system, but because of the intensity of fire we were unable to retrieve the bodies of three guys killed early in the fight. Even now I’m staggered that, with the amount of ordnance that was flying around such a small area, that more of us weren’t hit. We then secured a winch point where we dusted off the latest wounded - one of whom died while being winched into the dustoff chopper. It was then that I discovered to my horror that I was spattered with blood, and to this day I don’t know whose it was, as I only had minor scratches and cuts. I lost friends that day, and it came home to me at that time just how mortal I really was.

We were then resupplied for either the third or fourth time (I can’t remember which) with ammo and water, and then moved south while still being pursued by by the enemy on both flanks and at the rear. We were moving as fast as we possibly could to get enough distance between us and the bunker system to allow another air strike. This was necessary as the light was fading fast and the jets were running low on fuel. I was almost exhausted carrying the radio, pack, rifle, and extra ammo and water. Then, quite suddenly, another firefight erupted in front of us - we had run into another bunker system! The enemy following us up joined in this fight, and so we were now being attacked from all directions. We were trapped, and there was no way out. Everywhere I looked I could see muzzle flashes from enemy weapons, and it was absolutely terrifying.

At this time another Platoon Commander was severely wounded from an enemy sniper in one of the trees - they were above us as well!. It was now almost totally dark and we were critically short of ammunition with no chance of resupply until first light, and things seemed to be even more hopeless than they were earlier. The order was given to cease fire as our gunfire attracted enemy return fire in much greater volume.

I was instructed to call for supporting artillery fire, and I did so as quietly as I could, knowing how attractive a target the radio and I were. As it turned out, we only had one set of guns in range, and only just in range at that. They started firing ‘Danger Close’ at 70 metres around our perimeter - the safety distance is normally 200 metres. Delta Company was not well: we had been in almost constant contact for for 11 hours; we had 5 dead and 10 wounded; almost no ammunition; no air support available; totally surrounded (we could hear them talking in the dark around us); the incoming shellfire was also hitting high up in the trees and exploding, showering us with splinters and lumps of wood; and we were hopelessly outnumbered and there wasn’t a damn thing we could do about it but wait for them to come in and kill us.

The guns ceased firing at midnight, and we waited through the rest of the night for their final assault. We knew it could come at any time, but would most likely be at first light. We had gone from a day of unbelievable noise and fear to total silence and helplessness, and no longer being in control of our own destiny. I regretted all night that I hadn’t written my ‘final letter - to be delivered in the event of my death etc. etc.’, and I felt so @#$% angry that so many people at home were totally unaware of what was happening to us right there and then.

First light arrived, but the final attack never came. They had retrieved their dead and wounded during the night and were long gone, but we still waited for them to attack as we feared another trap. Luckily, it never came. After a while we were able to take stock of the area around us, and the devastation from the artillery and the combined gunfire was staggering, and we had lived through it!

I continue to relive this event every day of my life, and it seems to be intensifying as more time goes by. Every time it rains, the smell of fresh split timber, loud sharp noises, the smell of urine and sweat all bring it back.

bobcat · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:19 am

Words fail me Seejay ...

Viet Vets, I :salute:

you.

Big service at the Memorial here on Anzac Parade today.

Cheers,
Bobcat :cat:

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:56 am

Just finshed watching the SBS special on the minefield that was laid at Nui Dat and ultimately responsible for a greater number of Australian casualties.
Mind numbing that it was seen at the time by many to be a greater threat to the Australian soldiers (as always, not listened to).

Lou Butcher · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:27 pm

Here in Batesman Bay we dedicated our new memorial in brillant sunshine. I caught up Dimples Sheargold (again) and generally had a good day.

There was a few blank spaces in the ranks and that in its self a sobering thought. Unfortunatley Father time has not been kind on all of us.

:drinkers:

Seejay · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:28 pm

Yeah, another great idea to put blokes untrained in the use of mines into the job of installing them, overseen by people with the same lack of training. Familiar story, eh?

I also not the filmmakers have renamed the Viet Cong as Vietnamese Resistance Fighters. The re-writing of history goes on.....

CJ

bobcat · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:37 pm

Stroppy Chippie wrote:

Just finshed watching the SBS special on the minefield that was laid at Nui Dat and ultimately responsible for a greater number of Australian casualties.
Mind numbing that it was seen at the time by many to be a greater threat to the Australian soldiers (as always, not listened to).

Yes, watched that myself last night. Such stupidy ... #-o

but then, the whole war was a useless exercise of us just following the yanks into battle ... once again. Compliments of our politicians ... once again.

Very sad that some of our boys had to pay the ultimate price or be permanently maimed at our own hands though ... I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to be in that type of situation. Again, I :salute:

our braves boys.

My thoughts only.
Bobcat :cat:

The Vietnam Era

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