| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL45529 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Aircraft |
| Physical description | Bakelite, Metal, Rubber |
| Maker |
Bell Helicopter Company |
| Place made | United States of America: Texas |
| Date made | 1968-06-06 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
Bell UH-1H Iroquois Helicopter : A2-773
Description
The Bell UH-1H Iroquois medium utility helicopter is a turboshaft-powered machine with two-blade main rotor and tail rotor. The aircraft is built primarily from aluminium alloy. The aircraft was purchased from the manufacture and allotted the RAAF serial number, A2-773. Completed in June 1968, and was weighted and checked on 6 June. It was delivered to 9 Squadron RAAF, in Vietnam by 4 July 1968 when it undertook its first documented flight.
History / Summary
This was the first Australian helicopter to be adapted into the gunship role. A2-773 was hit at least five times during its Vietnam service. It fired at least 350,000 rounds from its side guns, 1.5 million rounds from its heavy machine guns and about 4,000 rockets, and was used extensively in operations over 3 years.