Agusta-Bell (I)UH-IB

Published: Tuesday, 09 November 2010 08:00 | Print | Hits: 11762

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.

Technical Information
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.

De Air Sea Rescue (ASR) en transporthelikopter Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 (1962-1978) bezig met een hijsoefening.

Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1, 222 during a lifting exercise. It is not equipped yet with inflatable floats and has a retractable hoist.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

De Air Sea Rescue (ASR) en transporthelicopter Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 (1962-1978) . In Italiaanse kleuren op het MVKV

Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 228, ex I-MUNI, still in Italian, civil colours at naval air station Valkenburg.
[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"

De Air Sea Rescue (ASR) en transporthelicopter Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 (1962-1978) . Hijslier oefening

Agusta-Bell 204B (I)UH-1 227 during a lifting exercise. Clearly visible are the inflatable floats.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

De Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 Air Sea Rescue (ASR)/transporthelikopter 225 (1963-1977).

Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 225.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

De Air Sea Rescue (ASR) en transporthelicopter Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 (1962-1978) . cockpit

Cockpit view of the Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

De Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 Air Sea Rescue (ASR)/transporthelikopter 220 (1962-1977) boven het vliegdek van het bevoorradingsschip Hr.Ms. Poolster (1964-1994).

Agusta-Bell 204B(I)UH-1 220 hoovering above the deck of Hr.Ms. Poolster.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

Prins Bernhard bezoekt Den Helder en neemt plaats in de stoel van de piloot van een Agusta Bell 204B(I)UH-1.

Prince Bernhard visiting De Kooy and sitting here in the pilot's seat of an Agusta Bell 204B(I)UH-1.
[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.
  - See also Building a AB-204B model by M. De Vreeze
HobbyBoss
- kit 87228: Bell UH-1B Huey .
  - Also released by Doyusha with other decals.
Plastyk
- Kit S-137 : an UH-1B

A model of a Dutch Agusta-Bell (I)UH-1, built by Adri Kleijn.

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

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- Set --: --

Decals

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- 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
Standard #1	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.

Agusta-Bell 204B MLD, shown here without hoist and without floats.

Agusta-Bell 204B MLD, shown here with hoist, but without floats.

Agusta-Bell 204B MLD, shown here with the hoist and floats.

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.