"Hueys" Topic

How many infantry could a Huey carry?

IIRC, about six fully-equipped infantry (about half a squad). For planning purposes, count on twice as many Huey sorties as Blackhawk to airlift a given force.

A UH-1B had a 9 person capacity, so 8+pilot. Or 3 stretchers in medevac.

Cheers gents…google results were contradictory to say the least – anything for 7 to 12.

Hueys had a crew of three, pilot, co-pilot and crew chief, who would also double as a door gunner. If the mission anticipated enemy contact, a second door gunner could also be on board. That would leave room for about six grunts in a B model or 8 in an H model, although the load could vary based on fuel requirements and aircraft seating configuration.

Also the number carried was generally less in Vietnam due to having less lift capability due to the hot and humid air. In Vietnam it was not seating capacity, but rather lift capability.

Having said that, you read of many grossly over weighted helicopters taking off from a hot LZ when the chips were down.

Don't forget as far as hauling infantry is concerned, you have not only a pilot, but a co-pilot, crew chief and door gunner. All three of these were virtually indispensable in action.

Tom

Scout & Tom +1

Yes the Hueys could normally carry about 9 or so +, as noted, the crew. But 7-12 is a good range depending in weather, LZ/PZ conditions, etc. You could even slingload something under it. If it was not too heavy.

In Panama by about noon the air got so hot & thin, we may of had to reduce the Allowable Cargo Load to about 6 or so Grunts. And the birds would literally have to take a running start. Flying down the LZ/PZ at speed catching all the lift it could to get airborne.

From the book chickenhawk each mission would have a number from 6-8 grunts per slick. Variables being weather, altitude, how much weight the troops were carrying Etc.

Six to eight passengers is a good planning factor….plus pilot, co-pilot, and two door gunners (one on each side) depending on model and configuration.

there are multiple variables in how much a huey, or any helicopter, can carry. Altitude (the higher the altitude, the less the payload), weather, mission, range (amount of fuel required impacts payload, and even humidity.

OK…I asked a 'how long is piece of string question did n't I? Overall, if we go for 8 that would fit in with how our rules work and not be out of order?
Thanks for all the help people; it's appreciated.

There were Hueys and Hueys. As the war progressed, the engines became more powerful. One should be careful in comparing postwar Hueys, particularly the N model. The N model did come in in 1970, with limited use, but it saw more service after the war than in it.

Tom

Overall, if we go for 8 that would fit in with how our rules work and not be out of order?

Yes …

could normally carry about 9 or so +, as noted, the crew. But 7-12 is a good range depending in weather,

I should have may myself clearer. But "short" answer, when you talk about a Huey load, the number of Troops, sometimes referred to as "packs", you have to include the crew in total number. The load on an aircraft was called the "ACL" – Allowable Cargo Load. Would vary especially with weather conditions, etc. E.g. the ACL is 8 Packs + crew. Chances are if the Huey was carrying 12, that would include Packs & the Crew total. Then you maybe flying heavy, i.e. overloaded.

After I was a Rifle and 81mm Plt Ldr, I was assigned as the BN S3Air. I.e. the Bn Air Ops Officer … Spent a lot of time in UH-1s. Until we got the UH-60s in about '81 or early '82, IIRC. The definition of a "Game changer".

From the book chickenhawk each mission would have a number from 6-8 grunts per slick. Variables being weather, altitude, how much weight the troops were carrying Etc.

Yes as I said, weather is always a factor …

Six to eight passengers is a good planning factor….plus pilot, co-pilot, and two door gunners (one on each side) depending on model and configuration.

Yes, that was generally how we did it …

Hueys, particularly the N model. The N model did come in in 1970, with limited use, but it saw more service after the war than in it.

Yes they have 2 engines. When I was in Panama in the early '80s. The USAF was flying N models as gunships.

Just thought I'd share the title of a good book on Huey ops in VN, not only the Huey flying into the LZ through storms of fire, but the wear and tear on crew and machine and the challenges of performing upkeep and maintenance while under nightly mortar harassment.

The book is Angel's Wing" by Joseph R Finch. Worth a read if you are interested in the subject.

B

Yes, helicopters like a lot of tech require a lot of maintenance. And it would even be more challenging when taking fire.

More in temperate climates. An acquaintance who was with the 1st Air Cavalry in 65-66 indicated 4-5. This he says is due to air temperature and altitude.