Many upgrades were “homemade” by the troops in the war zone. The Huey was adaptable enough that it could be used to test pretty much every possible weapon that could be attached. Next, the UH-01C had bigger fuel tanks and a new rotor system. The UH-01B version had a more powerful engine and was able to carry more men. Crandall’s UH-1D helicopter climbs skyward after discharging a load of infantrymen on a search and destroy mission. Combat operations at Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam, November 1965.
Even so, the UH-1 was constantly being upgraded and made better. The first Hueys to reach Vietnam arrived in 1962 (and operationally in 1963) and soon became an iconic symbol of the United States involvement in Southeast Asia. From the evaluation process, the UH-1 quickly earned the trust and respect of the Army and was pressed into service. The privilege of being the first to use Hueys is credited to the 101st Airborne Division.
From the start of mass production in 1960 over 16,000 were built in total, including civilian versions. Out of that number, over 3,000 were lost. UH-01 was designed in 1955 and produced between 1957-1986.ĭuring the Second Indochina War, over 7,000 Hueys were deployed in numerous forms and roles. When speaking about the Vietnam War what image comes to mind first? Every war has some iconic machines that exceeded expectations. For the Vietnam War (also known as the Second Indochina War), that title goes to the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, nicknamed the Huey due to its original designation, HU-01.