UH-1 Gunship Weapons

Excellent reference, John, thanks!

Take care,
Frank

Thanks for the great reference.

May I ask what models of the Huey would these configurations be applicable to? (C,D,H?)
What time frame of the war were these loadouts common?
Which of those loadouts would be similar to that of a Marine Huey gunship at the time?

Thanks in advance for any advice, and thanks again for the picture.

Those configurations would be good for B,C, and M model gunships only, I don't know the time the chart would start but would think it covers all the early Vietnam time period to the end on HUEY gunships, some of those systems might even be good on A models gunship's. As I staed this chart is good only for Army gunships, but would cover those gunships acquired by the Navy Seawolves from Army sources.

I love having charts like this on file.
I have them for a couple of other helos and a few fixed wingy thingys.
Thanks, John, for posting this.

AH1WSnake,
The Marine UH-1Es used ordnance systems and loadouts that were completely unique to the USMC. The UH-1E system was called TK-2 (temporary kit 2). TK-1 was put on the UH-34s. TK-2 was also called change 7 (because it was AFC 7). The system was basically two M-60 machine guns on each side mounted above the tally racks. It was a completely different setup than the twin 60 system the Army used (the model depicted in the 1/48 Monogram USMC version is wrong).

The Basic setup was the twin 60s and a pod on each side. The pods varied between 7 and 19 shot. In place of pods there were cases of firebombs being carried and the Helicopter Trap Weapon (HTW) - a 5inch zuni warhead on a parachute designed to clear booby traps from LZs. Some squadrons added door mounted M-60s and a nose-mounted twin 60 TAT-Emerson 101 turret.

Other systems used, though not necessarily weapons loads, included a big box of serachlights that filled up almost the entire cabin for "FireFly" missions and a system called a "Sniffer" that detected ammonia from urine and to locate camps (or waterbuffalo) under the jungle canopy.

Go to www.popasmoke.com for pictures and descriptions of the above and all kinds of cool skid kid stuff.

Thanks for the info and clarification, super. I'm copying and saving it to my references. I also can't beleive how long it's been since I've been to the popasmoke site, adding that to my favorites list as well.
Semper Fi

The chart does not show one weapons system, that system is the M-22 guided misslie system. This system used the French SS-11 anti-tank missle and was not widely used in Vietnam since there was not much NVA armor encountered. Was propable seen for on Guard and Reserve gunships after the Vietnam war. If anyone wants a picture let me know and I will post one.

Besides the SS-11 system there are a few other rarely used, low production, test, or homemade configuations like the TOW, mine dispensing systems, and various illum flare delivery setups. Great chart for the common stuff though. Thanks.

The chart indicates that the side miniguns and the chunker were never both installed at the same time. I know there was a thread about this here recently.

Oh, yeah; I saved that chart, too!

FITTER

That is correct Fitter. Couldn't handle the wieght and had different sighting systems that required the left seater to use for both weapons. Never happened! Except in "Hollywood" maybe!

Great reference, thanx for posting it.

An example of the M-22 system in action

can any body quess which model HUEY they used?

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandadjohn can any body quess which model HUEY they used?

UH-1B

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandadjohn An example of the M-22 system in action can any body quess which model HUEY they used?

UH-1A

Looks like an Alpha model to me!

Ok, now I'm just confused....
All you salty dogs check out this link and tell me who's got the right info: http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/aaarmsys.htm#M22
This website is where I got my info from....I am by no means an authority, hah!
That site is also a great resource for all other kinds of interesting info related to the rotary-wing armament.

hmmmm.... the visual differences between the A and B models are minor. It could definitely be a B model.

It is an A model, check out the height of the mast, it was increased on the B model and the tail boom lengthened chord of main rotor blade and counterweights move from the bottom of the head to the top

Ah, ok, I knew there was something visual with the blade counterweights, but couldn't put my finger on it. Thanks John!

Thanks for the clarification, john, and for that diagram.

Technically, it's an HU-1A

FITTER

Sure, if you are talking about the time period before 18 Sept 1962 when the Uniform Aircraft Designation System went into effect, thereafter it was the UH-1A

Here's another cool picture of our missile-armed Huey.


On another note, I found some information on the web, but not very good pictures, of TOW-armed Hueys that saw some limited service in Vietnam as well. They had what looked like something similar to a Cobra TSU mounted on the copilot's side of the chin bubble. The missiles were in a pod of three mounted on the #1 side.....unsure if they were on the #2 side, too. Does anyone else have some good resources or better pictures of the TOW variant?

Fact is ... therein lies the Huey name, since the original designator was HU-1, it had a phonetic appearance to "Hew-ee," just the same as the Loach name came about for scouts because it was LOH, for Light Observation Helicopter. It seems like a stretch, but pilots think in extra dimensions

AH1WSnake...try this site. There were two launchers on the UH-1B. 3 TOWs per launcher; one on each side of the aircraft.

http://tri.army.mil/LC/CS/csa/xm26tow.htm

Talk about trial by fire

TOW Huey: Years ago I made a CD of this walkaround and sent it to someone I met on one of these forums. He promised to send me resin copies. I never heard back from him. Maybe he'll read this and feel guilty and give all us of copies. Sorry I don't have the bandwdith to post the entire walkaround. If you want the rest of the walkaround (33 pictures) I'll post them as time permits.

Thanks tons, supercobra, you've always got the best stuff. Too bad your resin copies didn't show up after all your picture-taking efforts. My scratchbuilding skills aren't up to par, but his TOW bird sure would make for a fascinating aftermarket conversion project!