In his memoir Chickenhawk, pilot Robert Mason described the Huey as “the ship everybody lusted to fly”.
Known as the workhorse of the Vietnam War, the Huey was a favourite among pilots who valued its adaptability and ruggedness. The speed of evacuation had a significant effect on mortality rates. The mortality rate among injured soldiers in Vietnam was less than 1 in 100 casualties compared with 2.5 in 100 during the Korean War. Medevac missions, known as “dustoffs”, were by far the most dangerous job for a Huey crew. Despite this, a wounded US soldier in Vietnam could expect to be evacuated within an hour of sustaining their injuries. Listen NowĪmong the Huey’s greatest strengths was its versatility. It was used as a troop transporter, for close air support and for medical evacuation. Max Hastings wrote a bestseller on Vietnam, and Dan met him to discuss Domino theory, whether it was possible for the US to win the war and the effect the war had on those who fought in it. Hueys carried out a variety of roles in Vietnam However the hot air of Vietnam meant it rarely flew full.
The UH-1D was intended primarily for medevac and transport duties and could carry up to 12 troops. The UH-1D, meanwhile, was the first of a new, larger model of Huey with longer rotors and another additional 100-horsepower. The UH-1C, another variant designed for the gunship role, sought to solve this problem by adding an extra 150-horsepower to the engine. Though their turboshaft engines were more powerful than anything previously available, they still struggled in the heat of Vietnam’s mountainous regions. The UH-1A and B variants were both hampered by a lack of power.
New Huey variants tackled performance issues Later gunships, or “hogs” as they became known, were also equipped with M134 Gatling miniguns. This armament was augmented by two door gunners, secured in place by what was known as the “monkey strap”.Ĭrews were provided with chest armour, which they called “chicken plate” but many opted to sit on their armour (or their helmet) to protect themselves from enemy fire penetrating the relatively thin aluminium shell of the helicopter from below. Hueys were top targets for the Viet Cong. Troops jump from a “slick” as it hovers over the landing zone.