| Accession Number | P01957.006 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Transparency |
| Maker |
Paule, John Alan |
| Place made | Vietnam: South Vietnam |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
A maelstrom of fire emits from a Bell Iroquois UH-1H helicopter gunship of 9 Squadron RAAF. This ...
Description
A maelstrom of fire emits from a Bell Iroquois UH-1H helicopter gunship of 9 Squadron RAAF. This photograph dramatically captures the flash from the firing of a M-134 (GAU-2B/A) minigun, a six-barelled weapon capable of firing 4800 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition per minute, with devasting effect up to 1000 metres. The new Gatling variant was used to full effect during the Vietnam War increasing the firepower available to helicopters in an attack role. These modified gunships were identified by the callsign 'Bushranger'. (Colour version of the same image is held at P02975.061)