General Facts

TYPE
Transport helicopter

ORIGIN
United States

NICKNAMES
UH-1 Iroquois (US military version)
HU-1 Huey (early designation/nickname)
CH-118 (UH-1D in Canadian service)
Cheetah (AB-205 in Zimbabwan service)
EM-2 (AB-205 in Italian service)
HE.10B (AB-205 in Spanish service)

DESIGNED
1960 - 1961

DESIGNER
Bell

PRODUCTION
1963 - early 1980's

PRODUCERS
Germany - Dornier
Italy - Agusta-Bell
Japan - Fuji
Taiwan - AIDC
United States - Bell

QUANTITY
12.000 of all Bell 205 models, including license production and civilian sales

UNIT COST
About $ 345.000 US Army procurement cost for UH-1H in 1965
About $ 800.000 for UH-1H export in 1975
About $ 1.1 million of UH-1H production in Japan in 1975

CHARACTERISTICS
Limited production costs
Large internal volume
Good carrying capacity
Limited power in early models

Introduction

The Bell 205 is a transport helicopter of US origin. It was developed in the early 1960's by Bell to provide an increased transport capability over the Bell 204. In its US military UH-1 Iroquois designation and Huey nickname it became an icon for the Vietnam war. It is one of the most numerous transport helicopters in the world. The design lives on in the twin engine Bell 212 and Bell 412.

Layout

The Bell 205 is a stretched version of the earlier Bell 204, but is nearly identical in all other aspects. Compared to the Bell 204 the cabin has been lengthened by 1.04 m to increase the internal carrying capacity. This meant that wider doors were needed. The Bell 205 also features longer rotor blades and has a lengthened tail to accomodate them. The single engine setup has been retained. At the 1.100 hp engine as used in the Bell 204 was retained, but a more powerful 1.400 hp engine was installed.

Firepower

Most Bell 205 are fitted with a pintle mounted 7.62mm M60 machine gun on each side or are unarmed. Unlike the Bell 204 no dedicated gunship versions were created from the Bell 205. With the use of special kits it is possible to mount 7 or 19 round 70mm FFAR pods and M134 miniguns, although these configurations are rare outside US service.

Cargo

The main purpose of the Bell 205 is troop transport. When only a single pilot is used it is possible to carry 14 troops. This is a phenomenal number for a single engine Vietnam era helicopter. In the medevac role it is possible to carry six stretchers. The cargo capacity is 1.7 t. This means that when armament mounts are fitted the carry capacity is significantly reduced.

Mobility

The Bell 205 has a maximum speed of 217 km/h and a range of just over 500 km. The models with the uprated 1.400 hp engine have the same maximum flight characteristics but perform better within those limits due to their additional power.

Users

The main user of the Bell 205 was the US military and over 7.000 UH-1 served in Vietnam. Nowadays all single engine UH-1 have been replaced, most by the UH-60 Blackhawk. The UH-1 and Bell 205 models were widely exported and large quantities have been produced under license, most of them by Agusta-Bell in Italy. Today large quantities remain in service all over the world, most of them can be found in South America and Asia.

UH-1 Iroquois

UH-1D: Original military production model of the Model 205 with the same 1.100 hp engine as used in the Bell 204.
UH-1H: Improved military model with 1.400 hp engine. This is the most numerous version of the Bell 205 family.

Specifications:
UH-1D
UH-1H

Type	Transport helicopter
Crew	15 in total (1 - 4 pilot/crew, 11 - 14 troops)
Lenght	17.40 m overall
Width	?
Height	4.39 m
Weight	2.4 t empty, 4.1 t gross weight, 4.3 t MTOW
Rotors	Two blade main rotor, two blade tail rotor
Diameter	14.63 m main rotor, 2.59 m tail rotor
Disc area	168 m2 main, 5.3 m2 tail
Chord	?
Powerplant	1x Lycoming T53-L-11 turboshaft, 1.100 hp
Speed	217 km/h max, 201 km/h cruise

Range	507 km
Fuel	?
Climb rate	8.9 m/s
Ceiling	5.9 km
Endurance	?
Landing gear	Skids
Armor	None
Cargo	Up to 14 troops 6 stretchers 1.7 t cargo
Avionics	Standard flight controls
Self defense	None
Remarks	-
Weapon systems	2x 7.62mm M60 machine gun 70mm FFAR pods

Fixed weapons	-
Hardpoints	-
Option 1	Optional 7.62mm M60 machine gun in each door
Option 2	Optional M21 MAMEE with M134 and 3.000 round and 7x 70mm FFAR on reach side
Option 3	Optional 7 or 19 round FFAR pod on special mount on each side
Option 4	-
Option 5	-
Option 6	-
Option 7	-
Option 8	-

Type	Transport helicopter
Crew	15 in total (1 - 4 pilot/crew, 11 - 14 troops)
Lenght	17.62 m rotors turning, 12.77 m fuselage
Width	?
Height	4.39 m
Weight	2.4 t empty, 4.1 t gross weight, 4.3 t MTOW
Rotors	Two blade main rotor, two blade tail rotor
Diameter	14.63 m main rotor, 2.59 m tail rotor
Disc area	168 m2 main, 5.3 m2 tail
Chord	?
Powerplant	1x Lycoming T53-L-13 turboshaft, 1.400 hp
Speed	217 km/h max, 201 km/h cruise

Range	507 km
Fuel	?
Climb rate	?
Ceiling	?
Endurance	?
Landing gear	Skids
Armor	None
Cargo	Up to 14 troops 6 stretchers
Avionics	Standard flight controls
Self defense	None
Remarks	-
Weapon systems	2x 7.62mm machine gun

Fixed weapons	-
Hardpoints	-
Option 1	Optional 7.62mm M60 machine gun in each door
Option 2	Optional M21 MAMEE with M134 and 3.000 round and 7x 70mm FFAR on reach side
Option 3	Optional 7 or 19 round FFAR pod on special mount on each side
Option 4	-
Option 5	-
Option 6	-
Option 7	-
Option 8	-

Bell 205

Bell 205: Civilian model of the UH-1D, also exported for military use.
Bell 205A1: Civilian model of the UH-1H, widely exported for military use.

Specifications:
Bell 205A1

Type	Transport helicopter
Crew	15 in total (1 - 4 pilot/crew, 11 - 14 troops)
Lenght	17.62 m rotors turning, 12.77 m fuselage
Width	?
Height	4.41 m
Weight	2.52 t empty, 4.1 normal, 4.31 t MTOW
Rotors	Two blade main rotor, two blade tail rotor
Diameter	14.63 m main rotor, 2.59 m tail rotor
Disc area	168 m2 main, 5.3 m2 tail
Chord	?
Powerplant	1x Textron Lycoming T-53-L-13 turboshaft, 1.400 hp derated to 1.250 hp
Speed	204 km/h

Range	511 km
Fuel	844 L
Climb rate	8.1 m/s
Ceiling	4.1 km
Endurance	?
Landing gear	Skids, 2.91 m track
Armor	None
Cargo	Up to 14 troops 6 stretchers
Avionics	Standard flight controls
Self defense	None
Remarks	-
Weapon systems	2x 7.62mm machine gun

Fixed weapons	-
Hardpoints	-
Option 1	Optional 7.62mm machine gun in each door
Option 2	-
Option 3	-
Option 4	-
Option 5	-
Option 6	-
Option 7	-
Option 8	-

AB-205

AB-205: Italian production version of the UH-1D.
AB-205A: AB-205 with longer rotor blades and various minor improvements.
AB-205A-1: Italian production model of the UH-1H with longer rotor blades.

Specifications:
AB-205A-1

Type	Transport helicopter
Crew	15 in total (1 - 4 pilot/crew, 11 - 14 troops)
Lenght	17.98 m rotors turning, 12.78 m fuselage
Width	2.84 m stabiliser span
Height	4.48 m overall
Weight	2.18 t empty, 3.86 t normal, 4.31 t MTOW
Rotors	Two blade main rotor, two blade tail rotor
Diameter	14.72 m main rotor, 2.59 m tail rotor
Disc area	170 m2 main, 5.3 m2 tail
Chord	?
Powerplant	1x Textron Lycoming T-53-L-13 turboshaft, 1.400 hp derated to 1.250 hp
Speed	222 km/h max at sea level, 204 km/h at altitude

Range	580 km
Fuel	833 L
Climb rate	9.2 m/s
Ceiling	4.6 km
Endurance	3 hour 48 minutes
Landing gear	Skids, 2.60 m track
Armor	None
Cargo	Up to 14 troops 6 stretchers 1.4 t cargo
Avionics	Standard flight controls
Self defense	None
Remarks	-
Weapon systems	2x 7.62mm machine gun

Fixed weapons	-
Hardpoints	-
Option 1	Optional 7.62mm machine gun in each door
Option 2	-
Option 3	-
Option 4	-
Option 5	-
Option 6	-
Option 7	-
Option 8	-

UH-1J

The Japanese production UH-1J is a heavily modified Bell 205. It features a more powerful 1.800 hp Allison T53-L-703 turboshaft engine, vibration reduction system, infrared countermeasures and a night vision goggles compatible cockpit.