Hobby Master HH1014 | UH-1C "Easy Rider" 174th Assault Helicopter Company "Sharks", 1970s

General Background:

US Army trials of the Bell 204 helicopter in 1955 lead to the development of the HU-1. Because of the initial designation the nickname Huey came about. It was soon realized that the HU-1 didn’t have the lifting power for heavy loads or room for enough troops so it was given a larger cabin, larger engine, a modified main rotor along with a few other improvements and was re-designated the UH-1B. Later versions of the UH-1B received a more powerful engine. There were 1,010 “B” variants delivered to the US Army.

The helicopter:

In June 1966 the 174th (Sharks) Assault Helicopter Company asked the WWII Flying Tigers for permission to use their shark-mouth paint scheme and it was granted. UH-1C 66-15045 received the shark-mouth as well as the name Easy Rider, after the movie of the same name. On November 23, 1970 while flying an overnight mission, at low altitudes and in a mist the tail rotor struck trees which brought the copter down. Everyone on board survived. In 1971 the 174th ceased operations in Vietnam. Later UH-1M 66-15242 assumed the name Easy Rider.

UH-1B Specifications
Dimensions
Length: 39 ft 7 in (12.0 m)
Height: 14 ft 7 in (4.4 m)
Main rotor diameter: 44 ft (13.4 m)
Empty Weight: 4,369 lb (1,981 kg)
Gross Weight: 8,500 lb (3,854 kg)
Propulsion
Engine: 1 X Lycoming turbine T53-L-11, 1,100 shp
Performance
Range: 260 mi (418 km)
Cruise Speed: 126 mph (202 km/h) (109 kt)
Max Speed: 147 mph (236 km/h) (127 kt)
Climb: 2,660 ft/min (810 m/min)
Ceiling: 16,900 ft (5,150 m)