Photos Vietnam war helicopter aviation: UH-1 "Iroquois"

[Marsch]

There were multiple types of versions of the UH-1 "Iroquois" used in Vietnam. The helicopter is also known as "Huey" which presumably originates from it's first designation HU-1A which was later on changed to UH-1.

To go into detail about all the different versions would be too much for a photo thread but there are a few main characteristics to differentiate between them. The most destinctive features to distinguish them are the length of the fuselage and type of engine housing.

Note: This thread will not be used to showcase the various armament versions of the Huey as a different thread for that is already existing here. I'll also exclude any UH-1 used by the 20th SOS (Special Operation Squadron) as I plan to create a seperate one for them and the ARRS (Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service).

The most common type of the Huey in Vietnam was the UH-1D which was mainly used as troop carrier. I was also known under the nickname "Slick" which comes from the look and it's rudimentary armament normally only consisting of two M-60 as doorguns.

A "Slick" dropping off troops on a hill top.

A SEAL Team posing infront of a "Slick".

LLDB (ARVN Special Forces) boarding a "Slick".

A VNAF "Slick" taking some retreating ARVN troops on board during Operation Lam Son 719.

 

[Marsch]

Medevac versions:

Two of the first Hueys (still designated HU-1A) with the 1st Cav in Vietnam.

A short fuselage Medevac Huey (also called "Dust Off") picking up a wounded soldier.

A UH-1D Medevac.

A Medevac UH-1D painted in white which was quite uncommon.

 

[Marsch]

Defoliant versions:

This on here is using an impact pressured system.

While this one here is using one driven by little turbines.

A Huey spraying Agent Ornage in a defoliation operation.

A swarm of Hueys spraying defoliant near a base camp area.

 

[Marsch]

Smokeships:

The Huey could also be outfitted with an XM52 smokegenerator to lay a smokescreen in the air to for example disguise "Slicks" landing at an LZ.

An XM52 mounted to a Navy UH-1E.

XM52 in action.

A smokeship starting to dispense smoke to cover landing "Slicks".

An other type of smokegenerator mounted outside of a Huey.

A different version stored onboard.

There also was version that was ment to lay a smokescreen on the ground which used modified tubes of an ARA gunship.

A photo of smokescreen laid on the ground and a smaller smokedispenser.

A smaller type of smokedispenser that could be mounted outboards.

 

[Marsch]

Loudspeakers:

There also were Hueys existing that had loudspeakers mounted outboards which were used for Psyops.

Another shot of a Huey with the same type of speaker arrangement.

A shot with a different type of arrangement.

 

[Marsch]

Camos:

Since there never was a designated SEA (Southeast Asia) camouflage sheme for the UH-1 existing some units simply made up their own.

An other shot with the same type of camo using a darker brown and black on the standard olive-green.

A shot of a different type of camo using brown, black and a lighter green applied to the normal paint.

Same type like above.

Difficult to see but this gunship here has light-green and black applied to it's normal olive-green paint.

A different sheme using a more prominent green and black painted on the standard olive-green.

An other shot of the camo above.

A "Slick" with a tan pattern applied to the standard olive-green.

The few Hueys equipped with TOW missiles all had their own distinctive paint job. This one here is using just black on green.

A mix of various colours (note the hint of a Playboy bunny on the pilot door).

This one here is using tan on the rear fuselage and tailboom.

 

[Marsch]

Two other interesting paintjobs:

An USMC UH-1E named "Santa 1" with an interesting Christmas paintjob.

It was actually used to ferry Bob Hope around from what I got.

An other XMAS bird.

 

[howiebearse]

too bad the photos are not available