Country of origin:

United States of America

Description:

Medium lift utility helicopter

Power Plant:

One 820 kw (1,100 shp) Lycoming T53-L-11A turboshaft

Specifications:

History:

Civil examples of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois series of medium lift helicopters have been operated around the world over the years, a number being operated in South-East Asia by Air America, an airline set-up in 1946 and covertly owned by the American Central Intelligence Authority (CIA) during the Vietnam War. The type was also built as the AB-204 from 1961 to 1972 by Agusta in Italy. In addition, a number of civil models of the Iroquois have been registered in Australia, and these have mainly been used in the oil-rig support role.

The Model 205A-1, which was similar to the military UH-1H, was operated by Bristow Helicopters as VH-BHW (c/n 30101), and Esso/BHP  including VH-UHG (c/n 30005); VH-UHN (c/n 30081); VH-UHP (c/n 30002); and VH-UHQ (c/n 30034). VH-BHW was the first to be introduced in 1968. During 1980 Sikorsky S-76s started to replace the Bell 205s in this role.

Later the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) obtained a number of Model 205s and these were fitted out for water bombing of bushfires, seven being on strength at the end of 1986. They were used extensively during the Australian summer, and a number were registered in the VH-NS block, which at the time was reserved for the NSCA, and included VH-NSH (c/n 30195), which later became VH-NGK; VH-NSM (c/n 30002) which later became VH-NGM; VH-NSN (c/n 30081) which later became VH-NGN; VH-NSQ (c/n 30032) and VH-NST (c/n 30100).

One registered VH-UTW owned by Helicopter Utilities Pty Ltd was flown from West Sale aerodrome on 22 March 1968 to the Barracouta Platform in Bass Strait when it crashed. Others have operated in Australia with McDermott Aviation / Heli Lift Australia on fire bombing and medium lift operations, examples including N365JL, P2-MLJ and P2-MSA. Two were registered by Eagle Copters Leasing Pty Ltd in August 2014 and operated by Forest Air Helicorp of Lavington, NSW, these becoming VH-EQW (c/n 2038) and VH-EQF (c/n 2020). Further examples have included Model 204B VH-OCD³ (cx/n 2056 – ex C-GRHW, N2104FB, SE-HGA, CF-HGA, N7937S) and Model UH-1H VH-UHX (c/n 64-13865) registered to Rotorwing Helicopters Pty Ltd of Rowville, VIC on 22 September 2014.

A number of UH-1 helicopters have appeared on the New Zealand civil register, and these included: UH-1B ZK-HHB (c/n 65-12856) and ZK-HSF (c/n 62-2090); UH-1E ZK-IUE (c/n 155350); UH-1H ZK-HSX  (c/n 68-15390), ZK-HSP (c/n 66-00869) and ZK-HYG (c/n 64-13861); and UH-1L ZK-HUE (c/n 151851). Operators have included Helicopter Services of Inglewood, Lakeland Helicopters of Rotorua, Huey Logging Ltd of Pukekohe, and Rick Lucas Helicopters of Palmerston North. One UH-1L ZK-HUE, registered as a Model 205A-1, was the largest spraying helicopter in New Zealand, being tested with 12.1 m (40 ft) wide booms on each side, but was not used commercially and was mainly used by Heavylift Helicopters on logging work. Further ex-military conversions have been imported to this region.

With the retirement of the type from many military services a number have become available for civil operators, two being imported to Australia, these being UH-1H models, becoming VH-OXI (ex 64-13497) and VH-OXU (ex 65-9947) registered to Touchdown Helicopters of Albion Park Rail, NSW in October 2015.