Aircraft
Bell UH-1H Iroquois (Huey)
Pilot & Markings
“B” Company 229th AHB, Viet Nam 1968-70
Model Builder: Patrick Najmulski
Scale & Kit
1/35 Scale Panda/Dragon Model
History
Initially developed for US Army’s medical evacuation and supply requirements, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois first flew in 1956. The “Huey” first saw combat in the Viet Nam war where it became one of the most recognizable symbols of that conflict. About 7,000 UH-1 helicopters were deployed to Vietnam. At one point, there were more American helicopters in Vietnam than any other country even owned. In the difficult Vietnamese terrain, the rugged Huey served as Jeep, truck and ambulance. The UH-1 became the world’s first dedicated attack helicopter. With rocket pods, two side-mounted M-60 machine guns and a grenade launcher in the nose, it carried more fire power than a typical WW II fighter. American chopper crews flew over 30 million missions over Southeast Asia.
The model is in the markings of “B” Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, a unit of the First Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam. “B” Company’s radio call sign was “Killer Spade”; its mission was to provide tactical air mobility for combat troops, and delivery of supplies and equipment. The 229th AHB is currently an aviation unit of the US Army.
Due to the amount of visible interior and our desire to achieve maximum authenticity, this is one of the more difficult builds that we have done to date. In addition to the choice of the excellent 1/35 scale Panda/Dragon UH-1D/H kit, we added decals from Fireball Modelworks (FMD-04-35) and the M23 Armament Subsystem from Bravo6 (B6-35068). Additional realism was achieved by adding interior details with Bravo6’s resin kits US M21 Ammo Boxes and Crates (B6-35075) and US Grenades and Claymores (B6-35064).
Photo Gallery
I flew the UH-1H two tours in Vietnam, CY 1969 and CY 1972. Your model is incredible. The bags on the right side of the M-60 machine guns were there to catch the expended brass when the guns were fired. The units I flew for had them on the left side guns to keep the brass from coming into the aircraft, but not on the right side because the brass went harmlessly behind the aircraft. I don’t know the 229th’s policy.
I’m the owner of the UH1-D shown on your website. You did a terrific job on it and I’ve had a display case built and am mapping a diorama, which will include several infantrymen that you also painted as part of the projecct. I am shortly going to be receiving two door gunners in 1:34 scale, unpainted, resin figurines.
Would you be able to paint these in color scheme of the Vietnam War, with First Cavalry DIvision insignia on their left shoulders? You painted the two pilots in these colors with the First Cavalry Division shoulder insignia.
Looking forward to hearing from you. If you can do this, I’ll send the figurines up to you.
And again, thanks for the great build.
Any chance of getting a model huey from C Company 229th AHB?