Two UH-1H Hueys participate in Courage Under Fire.

The most widely used and easily the most recognized military helicopter in the world is the Bell UH-1 series, officially called the Iroquois, but better known as the "Huey". There were a number of different models of Hueys built and used over the last four decades.

The UH-1H model was the most common variant produced. Introduced in 1967 in Viet Nam, the H model became an icon of that war. With a larger cabin and a more powerful engine, the Huey came into its own with this model, which remained in production into the early 1980s resulting in almost 5,000 copies built. (If model depiction and accuracy is important to your project, please read the "Background Information" section below).

We currently have two UH-1H aircraft available for production work. They are normally kept in basic Army olive drab green, but can be painted to meet your specifications, including depiction as the civilian Bell 205, a type commonly used by law enforcement and firefighting agencies.

The UH-1H Huey Photo Gallery

UH-1H Background Information

The Bell UH-1H is a larger, higher power version of the earlier UH-1A/B/C helicopters (for information on these, jump over to our UH-1B page). In 1960, even before the earlier Hueys had entered service in Viet Nam, Bell proposed a new series of "stretched" helicopters which would carry more payload faster and farther. Bell called the aircraft the Model 205, and if first flew in August, 1961.

The first of the bigger Hueys, the UH-1D, entered service with the Army in August 1963. It could carry six litters and a medical attendant, or 12-14 passengers (7-8 if fitted with guns and armor), or up to 4,000 pounds of cargo. In 1967, Bell upgraded the helicopter again, introducing the H model (civilian designation was Model 205A-1) with a more powerful engine, and which could lift up to 13 troops while armed and armored. Other than the power upgrade, though, the H looked the same as the D model.

The Model 205/UH-1D/H became the Army's primary combat transport and MedEvac helicopter in Viet Nam, with the earlier Model 204-based Hueys being generally assigned to the gunship role. In Viet Nam, the UH-1D/Hs were typically equipped with an M-60 machine gun in each door. With its more powerful engine, the H model became the standard DustOff helicopter, especially in "hot and high" conditions, where helicopter performance degrades. DustOffs were generally unarmed, and marked with red crosses.

More H models were built than any other, and they were licensed as well for co-production in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Turkey. All told, almost 5,000 H models were produced, serving in all four American miliatary branches, and at least 48 other nations' armed forces. Many remain in active service today.

Viet Nam has often been called the first helicopter war, and the Huey remains a symbol of the conflict far more than any other aircraft. Our two UH-1H Hueys are available for your production, and can be painted and outfitted to resemble Hueys from any unit or country, as well as civilian Model 205s which are commonly used by law enforcement, forestry, fire fighting and air ambulance.