1969 Bell UH-1H "Huey"
U.S. Army Helicopter

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History
This impeccably restored Bell UH-1H ("Huey") helicopter is a Bell UH-1H slick. It was called a "slick" because it did not carry weapons mounted to the exterior. However, they did carry flexible machine guns in the doors.

This helicopter served as a standard slick in the 1st Platoon of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company for her entire Vietnam career (from Bearcat to Dong Tam to Di An). She participated in the Cambodian invasion in May, 1970 as well as most all other important actions in which the 135th was involved while she was in the unit.

Historically significant, this helicopter was the longest serving slick in the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (ACH). She served in the unit from October, 1969 until February, 1972, a total of 28 months with 2,724 flight hours. The average helicopter of this type served about 830 flight hours and 9 months in the unit before being shot down, shot up or crashed to the extent it needed to be sent out of the unit for major repairs or simply written off. Of the 147 aircraft that served with the 135th in Vietnam, about 40 served less than four months in the unit before coming to an untimely end and only about 40 lasted over a year. Of the 31 aircraft originally brought to Vietnam with the 135th, not one survived until the unit stood down 52 months later. Such was the war in Vietnam for the 135th AHC and most other Assault Helicopter Companies.

During the Vietnam War, the 135th Assault Helicopter Company's (AHC) call sign was EMU-short for Experimental Military Unit. The company combined Americans and Australians, and its motto was "Get the Bloody Job Done."

The unique characteristic of the 135th was that it consisted of both Royal Australian Navy and U.S. Army personnel supporting the infantry of the Vietnamese Army and various American units, including Navy SEALs.

1969 Bell UH-1H "Huey"

Specification

Manufacturer:

Bell Helicopter Company

Designation:

UH-1

Version:

H

Nickname:

Huey

Dimensions

Fuselage Length:

41 ft 10 in

Height:

14 ft 6 in

Rotor Diameter:

48 ft

Weights

Empty Weight:

4,973 lb

Gross Weight:

9,500 lb.

Propulsion

Power plant:

Single Lycoming T53-L-13

Horsepower:

1,400 hp

Performance

Range:

318 miles

Cruise Speed:

127 mph

Max. Speed:

127 mph

Ceiling:

13,600 ft