The UH-1 was in development in the mid 50's (XH-40) and was delivered to the USA IN 1959/1960 depending on ref as the UH-1A dubbed "IROQUOIS". The series ran UH-1A - UH-1D, then in 1967 the UH-1D was replaced by the UH-1H which was the most powerful of the single engine types with the L-13 engine, also it was the most produced version. It would be "replaced" in 1971 by the twin engined (P&W PT-6 engines better known as simply "TwinPac") this was designated as the UH-1N.
I was just still surprised that the USAF is using UH-1N helos for the mission as described in the article. I think given the mission they could've scrapped up some BLACKHAWKS or LAKODAS from somewhere until they figured out what they really want flying on those bases.
Anyway, yes the original plan did call for USMC AH-1N airframes to be RESET to the UH-1Y however due to op tempo issues, force level downtime and the marginal cost difference, it was decided to go with 123 new modified UH-1N airframes to make the UH-1Y.
The first three paras of ref A covers this and more. Saved the refs because I found a couple of issues with the UH-1Y in the game that I just ran out of time to address in my last Patch Post choosing to focus on the AH-1Z, APACHE BLK III etc. plus weapons and associated other issues as you might remember. They will be addressed this time around. The CORPS makes due with what it has and finds a way to make it better, sounds like the IDF as well.
http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/uh_1y/
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2006/4123.shtml
http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index..../story_ID/9574
http://www.helihub.com/2010/07/19/be...-1-production/
Pics:
XH-40
UH-1A
UH-1D
UH-1D
UH-1N
Regards,
Pat