UH-1H Iroquois

The Bell UH-1 Iroquois was developed in 1952 to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter and first flew on October 20, 1956. Ordered into production in March 1960, it was the first turbine-powered helicopter to enter production for the United States military, and more than 16,000 were produced worldwide. The UH-1H was the last large-scale production variant of the Iroquois. Identical to the UH-1D except for an improved engine, both models had an extended cabin compared to earlier aircraft, allowing for twelve troops or six stretchers, and the new T53-L-13 engine increased power to 1,400 shp. More than 5,000 H model Hueys were built, including several hundred converted D models. The UH-1 first saw combat operations in the Vietnam War, where approximately 7,000 aircraft saw service. This aircraft, tail number 67-17852, was a veteran of three tours in Vietnam. Sent there in 1968, it flew with the 25th Infantry Division, then in May 1969 went to the 20th Transportation Company before transfer to the 68th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Avn BDE, then to the 166th Transportation Company, before returning to the United States in 1971. It served until retirement in 1975, and after its flying days ended it was used as a maintenance trainer at Fort Eustis until 2010.

Newport News, Virginia · United States