Online Encyclopedia
Bell UH-1F
The Bell UH-1F was a variant of the UH-1 Huey military utility helicopter. It was designed in response to a United States Air Force specification for a support helicopter for use on its missiles bases.
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Development
In 1962 the USAF asked Bell to develop a special version of the UH-1D using the General Electric T-58 turboshaft as a powerplant. This engine was capable of 1,250 hp (932 kW) rather than the UH-1D's Lycoming T53 -L11 that whas capable of 1,100 hp (820 kW).
Bell proposed a developed version of the Bell model 204 which had been used by the US Army as the UH-1B. Bell proposed to use the shorter cabin of the model 204B but with the longer tail boom and rotor-transmission of the model 205 . As a result, the UH-1F was introduced in 1963. The US Air Force ordered 25 units that year. Externally, the only really noticeable difference between the UH-1B and the -1F was the engine exhaust. While the UH-1B had an straight exhaust, the UH-1F had one that oriented to the right side of the engine.
The last UH-1F was retired from the USAF in the early 1980s, probably in 1982.
Total production of the UH-1F was 150 units. In Italy, Agusta produced a similar model by re-engining the 204B with the Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshaft capable of 1,225 hp (914 kW), but later choosing the UH-1F's General Electric engine. The Italian version was exported to Holland, Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland. It had a hoist located at the right side of the cabin roof for rescue missions.
Operational history
At the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the 20th and 21st Special Operations Squadrons were deployed there equipped with the Bell UH-1F, becoming known as the "Green Hornets". At the beginning they played transport and communications roles, but by late 1960s, when the CIA discovered that the Viet Cong was infiltrating South Vietnam through Cambodia and Laos, the Green Hornets started to fly secret missions to infiltrate and extract agents and commandos in the "Communist sanctuaries" of Cambodia and Laos. These were risky missions since the UH-1F didn't have night equipment and or any kind of weather radar.
UH-1P
Around 1969 a number of UH-1Fs were modified for a still-classified psychological warfare role and redesignated UH-1P. The "P" version was the only armed version of the UH-1F, carrying machine guns and rocket launchers. Even unarmed, they can be distinguised from standard UH-1Fs by their two UHF antennas (the F carried only one)
Markings
The UH-1Fs in Vietnam were painted in 4 tone-camouflage that consisted in dark and medium green and dark tan on the upper surfaces and light gray was used under the lower surface. No national insignia were carried, only a serial number on the tail and a black hornet on the middle of the tail boom.
The UH-1Fs used at the same time in the United States were painted in light gray overall with black "United States Air Force" painted along the tail boom and a yellow band with black borders at the end of the boom with a "Danger" marking. A typical black serial was painted on the tail. Other UH-1Fs used the same colors but with the roof painted in gloss white. At least one aircraft was painted in overall gloss blue, with "U.S. AIR FORCE" painted on the boom in white, and the tail serial in the same color.
Characteristics
- Producer: Bell Textron, Fort Worth, Texas US
- Powerplant: 1 General Electric T-58 with 1,225 hp (914 kW) (early version) or 3,000 hp (2,238 kW) (later versions)
- Max speed: 137 mph (220 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 75 mph (120 km/h) Crew: 2 pilots and 8 soldiers
References
- UH-1 in Action by Lou Drendel, Squadron Signal Publishers. ISBN 0897471792
- UH-1 Huey in Colors Squadron Signal publishers. ISBN 0897472799
External Links
An account of a Medal of Honor rescue flying a Green Hornet http://www.afa.org/magazine/valor/0884valor.asp
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