The production run of UH-1's yielded about a dozen major variants, some with sub-variants to boot. The initial production variant became the HU-1A, utilizing the early-form designation system that eventually changed to UH-1A in 1962 and onwards. Production netted 182 UH-1A's. These systems were followed by four YUH-1B prototypes leading up to the UH-1B production model, essentially being "improved" A-models with revised rotors and other subtle outward changes. The UH-1C arrived with revised blades, improved rotor-head and new engines, built to a 767 example total.
The first major "departure" from the initial production models became the UH-1D, of which some 2,008 examples were produced. These were based on the Bell Model 205 which itself was nothing more than a long-fuselage version of the Bell Model 204 while increasing rotor diameter, range and power from its Lycoming T53-L-9A, T53-L-11D 1,100shp engines or the Allied Signal Engines (ASE) T53-L-13B turboshafts of 1,400shp. The sliding double-windowed side doors were also made larger in this version. The US Army pressed these into service as troop transports beginning in 1963 to replace their aging Sikorsky CH-34 Chocktaw fleet while many were eventually upgraded to the upcoming UH-1H standard. UH-1D's could be crewed by 2 personnel while supplying room for up to 13 troops.
UH-1D (as well as UH-1H) production models were armed with the standard door-mounted M23 M60D 7.62mm machine guns on M23 subsystems to provide cover fire along the flanks. Early production UH-1D's featured the XM3 23-tube rocket launchers, the M5 40mm grenade launcher and the M6 quad M60C machine gun mounts for the gunship role. The large cabin space of D-models eventually set them apart as primary utility helicopters while the smaller UH-1B and UH-1C's were therefore utilized as primarily as gunships.
The UH-1E became a USMC product based on the UH-1B and UH-1C models. 192 of this type were built. Likewise, the UH-1F fell into service with the USAF and were similarly based on the UH-1B and UH-1C models. F-models were further differentiated by their use of General Electric T-58-GE-3 turboshaft engines of 1,325shp. 120 total examples of these Hueys were produced.
The UH-1H was a high quantity version, essentially similar to the UH-1D and built in some 5,435 total examples, and featured an improved Lycoming T-53-L-13B turboshaft engine of 1,400shp. H-models had the same basic armament suite of the UH-1D's - the standard M23 M60D 7.62mm door mounted machine guns. Likewise, passenger seating equaled space for 13 combat-ready troops. Additional changes included a revised two-bladed semi-rigid all metal main rotor system and rigid delta hinged two-bladed tail rotor system. H-models became the model of quantity of the entire Hueys production line. Production spanned from 1965 through 1986 and was also undertaken under license in Turkey and Taiwan. A specialized H-model was developed in the six-man (2 pilots and 4 gunners) UH-1H "Nighthawk" featuring a Zenon searchlight system coupled to an M134 7.62mm minigun armament for night work. Additional armaments included twin M60D 7.62mm machine guns and an M2HB 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
The USN utilized the purpose-built HH-1K (based on the Bell Model 204) for Search and Rescue duties. The UH-1M was a dedicated gunship model fitted with the Lycoming T-53-L-13 engine of 1,400shp.
The UH-1N was a somewhat vast departure from previous Huey offerings in that this model version sported twin turboshaft engines. These aircraft were built upon the Bell Model 212 design and also went under the name of "Twin Pac". The UH-1P was a UH-1F variant utilized by the USAF for use by the 20th Special Operations Squadron "Green Hornets". The UH-1V became a specialized US Army MedEvac model with room for six stretchers and one personnel while the UH-1Y appeared as a new Bell product intended to upgrade operators of their current UH-1N systems.
As of this writing, the USMC has begun deliveries (beginning early 2009) of what is expected to be 123 examples of the UH-1V "Venom" helicopter models. First fight of this variant was achieved on December 20th, 2001 and production now signals the new generation of Hueys. Despite maintaining a general external look to her previous incarnations, the Venom is an all-new modernized Huey complete with an all-composite four-blade main rotor, twin engine arrangement, four-blade tail rotor, FLIR, all-digital cockpit sporting multi-function displays and improvements over the base Huey's maximum speed, range and take-off weight. This modernization will no doubt extend the life of the Huey for some decades more.
The United States Army have already phased out their fleet of frontline UH-1's, having replaced them with the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk series while still retaining some 700 Hueys in for a few years more. The USAF still utilize Hueys in limited utilitarian roles as needed but overall, the Sikorsky UH-60 series is poised to become the next workhorse of the American military.
Beyond Bell's localized production of its Huey line, the helicopter has undergone license-production in Italy through the Agusta-Bell banner, in Japan through the Fuji-Bell name, in Germany via Dornier Flugzeugwerke, and in Taiwan through AIDC. Total production to this date of the Huey in all forms and for all operators is estimated to be over 16,000 units. Operators range the world over - from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe - and quite possibly make the Bell UH-1 Huey the most successful helicopter line of all time. Major users of the Huey line have been the United States Army, Australian Army, Philippine Army and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force.
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