History
In the period 1954-1955 the US Army was looking for a utility-helicopter to use for instrument training an common use. Bell had registered the contest with model 204 and was selected. The type, was eventually designated as HU-1; this was the reason for the well known nickname of this helicopter, Huey. It was designated UH-I Iroquois by the US Army.
The first of three prototypes flew in October 1956. Six pre production machines were built for testing purposes. The first production version was designated UH-1A and was delivered during 1959. It was equipped with one Lycoming T53-L-1A rated at 770 hp.
Versions.
- UH-1B Iroquois:
- This was a development of the UH-1A and it was equipped with the stronger Lycoming T53-L-5 turbo-shaft engine, rated at 960 hp. Later UH-1B's were equipped with a Lycoming T53-L-11 van 1100 hp. The UH-1B could carry seven passengers besides the crew of two, or two stretchers and two passengers.
The armament consisted of rockets an electrically manoeuvrable machine-guns. The first UH-1B was delivered in march 1961.- Model 204B:.This was the export version of the UH-1B, equipped with ten seats, one Lycoming T53-11A turbo-shaft of 1100 hp and rotor with a diameter of 14.63m. In the tail boom a room for luggage was available.
- Agusta-Bell 204B:. This was an utility-helicopter, which can be compared with the Iroquois and produced under licence by Agusta in Italy between 1961 and 1974. About 250 of it were built and delivered to both military as civil users. A difference with the US-built 204B is the engine type and the exhaust, pointing sideways, where as the original Bell has an exhaust pointing backwards.
- Bell 205B:This was an enlarged and heavier version of the Bell 204B.
- UH-1C Iroquois:
- This was a development of the UH-1B with improved rotor blades, thus giving the chopper a higher speed and better manoeuvrability.
- UH-1E Iroquois:
- This was the Naval version of the UH-1B, developed on behalf of the US Marine Corps. It could transport nine persons.
- UH-1F Iroquois:
- Also based upon the UH-1B. Twenty-five of this type were delivered to the USAF. It was equipped with a General Electric T58-GE-3 rated at 1100 hp; the rotor was enlarged and had a diameter of 14.63 m. Besides he pilot ten passengers or a load of 1815 kg could be carried. Delivery started in February 1964. A trainer version was the TH-1F Iroquois. A special version was the UH-1P.
- HH-1K Iroquois:
- This was a special SAR-implementation on behalf of the US Navy. Twenty seven of it were delivered in 1970.
- TH-1L Iroquois:
- This was a trainer version for the US Navy, which can be compared with the UH-1E. This type was equipped with one Lycoming T53-L-13 of 1100 hp and improved electronics. Fifty-four of this type were built in 1968.
- UH-1L Iroquois:
- An utility version of the TH-1L for the US Navy. Eight of this type were built in 1969.
- UH-1M Iroquois:
- An evaluation version on behalf of Hughes Aircraft Iroquois night fighter & night tracker system. Three of this type were used by US Army.
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length with rotor | 11,71 m | Rotor diameter: | 14,63 m |
| Height: | 3,86 m | Tail Rotor diameter: | - m |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 1983 kg | Full weight: | 3856 kg |
| Performances: | |||
| Max. speed: | 240 km/hr | Cruising speed: | |
| Range: | 400 km | Service ceiling: | |
| Engine type: | B.S. Gnôme H-1000 rated 1050 hp | ||
| Crew: | Two men. | ||
| Armament: | None | ||
In 1961 seven helicopters of the type (I)UH-1 were bought and intended to use in (former) Dutch new Guinea. They were in use by no. 7 squadron based at naval air station Valkenburg. The type was mainly used for transport services and occasionally for SAR-tasks.
The undercarriage could be replaced with a floatation gear, but this configuration was rarely used. Two of the aircraft were in use with no. 1 squadron based at Hato.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
AB-204B, serial 228 was originally a civil aircraft (I-MUNI) and was bought on july 31, 1969 as a replacement for the crashed Agusta's 223 and 224.
In may 1978 the remaining Hueys were sold to Sky Controls Inc., Sun Valley, California. The aircraft were never used in the US, because of the Italian engines they were equipped with. After several years some of them were given to a Swedish museum.
At the end of the nineties Agusta-Bell 220 and 225 (and also 227?) were discovered there an returned to the Netherlands. The aircraft had still the original Dutch paint scheme applied; After being overhauled Agusta-Bell 225 is now on display at the Militaire Luchtvaart Museum at Soesterberg.
Further Agusta-Bell 227 was acquired in 2006 by Classic Aircraft Foundation and transported to the Netherlands for restoring it to flying condition. Also this aircraft still had the original Dutch paint scheme applied.
Agusta-Bell 220 is now on display as gate guard at Naval Air Station 'De Kooy"
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
| Serial | Construction nr. | Date in service | Date out of service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 220 | 3010 | 08-06-1962 | 27-09-1977 | Since several years as gate guard at naval air station "De Kooy" |
| 221 | 3012 | 09-08-1962 | 29-09-1977 | |
| 222 | 3014 | 20-09-1962 | 17-03-1978 | |
| 223 | 3016 | 16-10-1962 | 04-05-1964 | Crashed |
| 224 | 3024 | 16-10-1962 | 04-05-1964 | Crashed |
| 225 | 3023 | 14-12-1962 | 01-04-1969 | On display at the Militaire Luchtvaart Museum at Soesterberg |
| 226 | 3023 | 18-03-1963 | 23-12-1977 | To Aeroseum, Göteborg-Säve, Sweden |
| 227 | 3032 | 25-05-1963 | 23-09-1977 | Currently under restoration at CAF |
| 228 | 3017 | 31-07-1969 | 24-02-1978 |
The nicely restored Agusta-Bell 204B 227, photographed in June 2013 during the Open Day at Volkel Air Force Base.
The aircraft is technical airworthy, but was at that time awaiting its certification.
1/72nd Scale
Kits
- Italeri
- kit 1201: See this review at IPMS.nl for further information. The kit has decals for a Dutch MLD aircraft.
- kit 040: a model of the UH-1B.
Only two things have to be converted, the exhaust and also the diameter of the rotor need to be checked.
This should be 14,63 m = 20,92 cm (in 72nd scale) for a Dutch Agusta-Bell AB-204B.
- HobbyBoss
- kit 87228: Bell UH-1B Huey .
- Also released by Doyusha with other decals.
- kit 87228: Bell UH-1B Huey .
- Plastyk
- Kit S-137 : an UH-1B
Modelling add-on
- Whirlybits
- Kit A72037: Replacement 48 ft rotor blades for AB204B and UH1F (Italeri)
- Bilek
- Set PB022: Detailling set interior UH-1B (for Italeri)
- CMK
- Kit 7078: Bell UH-1B interior (for Italeri kits)
- Kit 7079 : Bell UH-1B exterior (for Italeri kits)
- Eduard
- Kit 72195 : Bell UH-1B (for Italeri kits)
- Kit 73332: Bell UH-1B (self adhesive) PRE-PAINTED IN COLOUR! (for Hobby Boss kits)
- Kit CX232: Bell UH-1B (for Hobby Boss kits) (made from yellow Japanese produced Kabuki tape)
Decals
- Dutch Decal
- Set 72034: A set decals (released several years ago) for Sea Otter 8-6; Sikosrky S-5 and S-58 an for AgustaBell AB-204B.
1/48th Scale
Kits
- Revell
- kit 4476: an UH-1B/C. Also the exhaust need to be corrected and the diameter of the rotor needs to be enlarged to 30,48 cm.
Modelling add-on
- --
- Set --: --
Decals
- --
- Set --: --
| Scheme | Colour name | BS number | Humbrol | XtraColor | Vallejo ModelColor | Vallejo Model Air | Hataka | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard #1 | Upper surfaces | Extra Dark Sea Grey | ~6099 | BS:640 | 123 / 106 | X005 / X376 | 70.866 | 71.110 | ~140 |
| Undersides | Sky | - | BS:210 | 90 | X004 / X130 | - | 71.302 | ~026 | |
Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.
Literature.
| Van Farman tot Neptune 2 | Hugo Hooftman | 1965 | La Rivière & Voorhoeve, Zwolle | |
| 60 jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld | H. Hooftman | pag. 146 - 147 | 1977 | Europese Bibliotheek te Zaltbommel |
| Nederlandse marine Vliegtuigen | Th. Postma | pag. 68 - 69; 64 | 1978 | Omniboek, 's Gravenhage |
| Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 12, nummer 4: De AB204B ((I)UH-1) van de MLD | Pag. 134 - 140 | F. Bachoffner | 1983 | I.P.M.S. Nederland |
| AVIA; 42e jaargang nummer 2: De Agusta-Bell (I) UH-1 utility-helikopter van de MLD | N. Geldhof | Pag. 50 - 51 | 1983 | Uitgevers Wyt; Rotterdam |
| 70 Jaar Marine-LuchtvaartDienst | Nico Geldhof | pag. 105, 131 | 1987 | Uitgeverij Eisma b.v.; Leeuwarden |
| Modern Military Aircraft; Huey | Lou Drendel | 1988 | Squadron/Signal; Carrolton, Texas | |
| Camouflage en Kentekens | J.Greuter e.a. | 1997 | Uitgeverij Bonneville; Bergen | |
| 85 jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld | Peter Korbee | pag. 138 - 139 | 2002 | Korbee-promotie MarineLuchtvaartDienst, Rijnsburg |
Websites.
Special thanks to P. Baijens for correction of the serials.
Nederlands (nl-NL) 
English (United Kingdom)