Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>UH-1>HH1011

General Background

The Bell UH-1 "Iroquois" (the "U" stands for utility), better known as the "Huey", is a multi-purpose military helicopter best known for its service during the Vietnam War. Its distinctive "tadpole" silhouette has actually become the symbol of the war. Over 16,000 "Hueys" was made in total and flown in 40+ countries. Approximately 7,000 was used during the Vietnam War.

The Aircraft

Operation Frequent Wind took place in Saigon, South Vietnam on April 29-30, 1975. It was the code name for the helicopter evacuation of American civilians and "at-risk" Vietnamese from the city just before it fell to the North Vietnamese. Air America, operated by the CIA, supplied 24 helicopters and 31 volunteer pilots to assist in the evacuation. Of the more than 7,000 people airlifted Air America had removed over 1,000. The people were picked up from roof tops around the city and taken to a central compound and then flown out to awaiting aircraft carriers. N8514F was one of the 204B helicopters to participate in the operation. N8514F was one of 5 helicopters sold after the war to a Danish company and after several years it was sold to an American firm. In 1994 N8514F was severely damaged while fighting a brush fire.

Specifications :

Dimensions
Length:	39 ft 7 in (12.0 m)
Height:	14 ft 7 in (4.4 m)
Main rotor diameter:	44 ft (13.4 m)
Empty Weight:	4,369 lb (1,981 kg)
Gross Weight:	8,500 lb (3,854 kg)
Propulsion
Engine:	1 X Lycoming turbine T53-L-11, 1,100 shp
Performance
Range:	260 mi (418 km)
Cruise Speed:	126 mph (202 km/h) (109 kt)
Max Speed:	147 mph (236 km/h) (127 kt)
Climb:	2,660 ft/min (810 m/min)
Ceiling:	16,900 ft (5,150 m)
Armament:	"Heavy Hog" because it had an optional weapons configuration of "XM-3" that installed 2 24-round rocket packs and removed the door guns, "M-5" that installed an M-75 40 mm grenade-launcher carrying 150 grenades