The Huey or “Iroquois"
The model of the Bell UH-1— better known as the Huey or “Iroquois”— was designed as a rapid insertion and extraction aircraft for the United States Military in 1959. The need for such an aircraft was observed in the Korean War where it took days to admit soldiers to hospitals. With the introduction of the Huey transport of wounded soldiers to hospitals was drastically reduced from days to hours. Moreover, the UH-1 was able to carry up to eight infantrymen into combat. The Huey was lightly armored and armed with only a door mounted M-60 being fitted on the side. The Huey was designed for minimum time on the ground and were incredibly vulnerable while landing. The Crew were likewise minimally armed but were nonetheless equipped with sidearms of various sorts for personal protection. The aircraft runs a Lycoming T53L13 engine with a 1400 SHP engine rating. This engine supports two rotors, the main top rotor responsible for lift and the tail rotor responsible for stabilization. The Bell UH-1 has a maximum gross weight of 9500 pounds with the minimum empty weight being 5210 pounds. At maximum speed, the Huey can travel up to 120 knots which is around 138 mph. The interior cabin comes out to around 220 cubic feet. Total flight hours are 196.
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This helicopter saw action
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The aircraft at Jacksonville’s American Legion Post saw action in the American Vietnam War and performed several vital roles. These roles include troop insertions, extractions of various sorts, and reconnaissance. While the Huey was not armed itself, firefly missions enabled an accompanying attack helicopter to see enemies in the dark. This was a mission where the spotlights were attached to the Huey. In addition, the Huey was often sent out on “sniffer” missions where they marked enemy positions. While insertions and recon were vital, they were by no means the extent of the Huey’s capabilities. Another important function was that of rapid resupply.
This specific helicopter is confirmed to have fulfilled several combat resupply missions. It was during one of these resupply missions that the helicopter crashed due to malfunctions.
On October 14th, 1967, the aircraft landed for a prolonged period of time between combat resupply missions to load for the next departure. As the helicopter rose and a water bladder was being fixed in place the aircraft commander noticed that the Huey was tilting to the right, due to a tail rotor malfunction. The Huey landed on a slope, after which the rotors struck sandbags, causing the aircraft to fall on its side where the top rotors connected with the ground. While suffering a fractured leg, the pilot survived as did all other personnel on scene. After this, the aircraft underwent maintenance and was transferred through bases in Thailand and the United States until it finally came to Ft. Rucker, Florida.
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How the helicopter got to Jacksonville
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Helicopter 66-16769 came to rest at American Legion post 57 as the result of the requisition of Rick Dickson and Bob Baker in 1996. Both men applied through for the helicopter with the Army Historical Program and were approved after four months in July of 1997. Bob Baker with the help of a retired Warrant Officer disassembled the Huey. The rotor blades and body of the aircraft were placed onto a flatbed truck and the transmission was placed onto another truck. The Huey was then transported to the American Legion Post 57 and lifted into its current position by a crane.
This research was a project conducted and composed by Dr. Wesley Bishop, assisted by Trevor Snow, in the Jacksonville State University History Department. Photographs were donated by Jerrod Brown of Jerrod Brown Studios.
