#uh-1

The first of the long cabin Huey variants was the UH-1D. It was designed as an increased capacity troop transport to replace the UH-1B. The fuselage was stretched by 41 inches and space was made on either side of the transmission for two sideways facing seats that would often be used as door gunner positions.

(Short cabin UH-1B, notice the flat back wall with space for bench seating)

(Long cabin UH-1D with space for sideways facing seats)

The UH-1D was a successful replacement for the UH-1B and it was later upgraded to the UH-1H with a more powerful 1400 horsepower engine (up from the UH-1D's 1100 horsepower engine) for increased carrying capacity and performance. Many UH-1Hs were built from scratch but many more started as UH-1Ds and were retrofitted to the UH-1H standard.

The main exterior difference between the UH-1D and UH-1H can be identified by the position of the pitot tube.

The UH-1D has two pitot tubes that protrude from the nose, one of which can be seen in this photo.

The UH-1H had the position of the pitot tube changed to above the cockpit where it is bent at 90 degrees.

Most of the UH-1s still flying today, both military and civil, are UH-1Hs (also called Bell 205A+).

Bell would also make a twin engine variant known as the UH-1N or Bell 212. This would have the single Lycoming T53 engine replaced with a pair of Pratt and Whitney PT6T engines for increased power and redundancy. The exterior differences are more obvious with the UH-1N having a larger and bulkier engine cowling with two separate exhausts protruding and redesigned intakes.

(Single engine T53 UH-1)

(Twin engine UH-1N)

A four bladed version of the Bell 212 would also be produced as the Bell 412.

Howel GANUCHAUD

FREELANCE - Environment Artist / Weapon Artist

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