The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed "Huey") is a utility military helicopter powered by a single turboshaft engine, with two-bladed main and tail rotors. The first member of the prolific Huey family, it was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet a 1952 US Army requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter, and first flew in 1956. The UH-1 was the first turbine-powered helicopter produced for the US military, and more than 16,000 have been built since 1960.
The Iroquois was originally designated HU-1, hence the Huey nickname, which has remained in common use, despite the official redesignation to UH-1 in 1962. The UH-1 first saw service in combat operations during the Vietnam War, with around 7,000 helicopters deployed. The Bell 204 and 205 are Iroquois versions developed for the civil market.
Bell began development of the UH-1N for Canada in 1968. It changed to the more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T twin-engine set . The U.S. also ordered the helicopter with the USAF receiving it in 1970. Canada's military, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Navy first received the model in 1971. CUH-1H was the initial Canadian Forces designation for the UH-1H utility transport helicopter. It was later redesignated CH-118, with a total of 10 built. Harold Skaarup web page
Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14001, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. Took part in Exercise Pass Blocker with 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Group (2CIBG, may have been renamed 2 Combat Group by then), in Gaspe, Quebec in April 1969. To South Zeeland, Denmark for NATO exercise Green Express in September 1969. Then to Germany for Exercise Marshmallow with 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at Hildesheim in October 1969. Back in Canada by December 1969, when it took part in Exercise Old Hat at Fort St. John, BC with Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. Served at CFB Moose Jaw, dates unknown. Later to 439 Combat Support Squadron, CFB Bagotville, Quebec, still there April 1995. Classified as Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Training Aid 916C on 11 February 1997. Had been Canadian Forces 118101. Still in use at CFB Borden, Ontario in 2004. Reported stored at CFB Trenton in October 2005, still on ATESS ramp, in December 2005. On display at RCAF Museum in Trenton by 2007, in yellow SAR finish. Still there in 2009. Moved inside at Trenton for restoration by June 2010.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14002, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. Took part in Exercise Pass Blocker with 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Group (2CIBG, may have been renamed 2 Combat Group by then), in Gaspe, Quebec in April 1969. To South Zeeland, Denmark for NATO exercise Green Express in September 1969. Then to Germany for Exercise Marshmallow at Hildesheim in October 1969. Back in Canada by December 1969, when it took part in Exercise Old Hat at Fort St. John, BC with Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Seen at CFB Ottawa, Ontario on 20 February 1970. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. Later to No. 439 Combat Support Squadron, CFB Bagotville, Quebec. With No. 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta in April 1995.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14003, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. Transported press accompanying Prime Minister and US President during St. Lawrence Seaway celebrations on 27 June 1969. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. To North Bay in May 1971, to assist in investigation of B-57 crash. Served with Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment, dates unknown. Later to No. 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alta, still there in April 1995. Classified as instructional airframe 918C on 11 February 1997. Had been Canadian Forces 118103Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14004, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. To Gaspe in April 1969 for Exercise Pass Blocker with 2 Combat Group. Operated out of Matane, Quebec in support of Royal 22e Regiment mountan exercise. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. Served at CFB Moose Jaw, dates unknown. With No. 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta in April 1995.Known Squadron Assignments:
1967-01-10 Order. Originally ordered as RCAF 14005, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. Served at CFB Moose Jaw, dates unknown. With No. 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta in April 1995. Classified as instructional airframe 919C on 11 February 1997. Had been Canadian Forces 118105. At Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering at CFB Borden, Ontario by May 2006. Tail boom still there in October 2008, marked as ABDR RAAC71. Entire airframe reported stored outside at Borden in March 2012Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14006, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. One of several Squadron aircraft displayed at Toronto International Airshow in August 1969. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. Later to 439 Combat Support Squadron, CFB Bagotville, Quebec. Tiger Striped for the 70th Anniversary of RCAF. Scheme retained until 1995 (at least). Classified as instructional airframe 917C on 11 February 1997. Had been Canadian Forces 118106. In use in 2004 as an Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Training Aid at CFB Borden, Ontario. Still at Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering at CFB Borden by May 2006, still in Tiger stripes. Restored, placed on static display in tiger stripes at CFB Bagotville in August 2008. Still there in November 2009.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14007, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. One of several Squadron aircraft to Bardufoss, Norway in February and March 1970 for Exercise Artic Express. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. Used as Instructional Airframe A 742 from 3 November 1971. Later returned to flying status. Serving with Base Flight at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta at time of crash.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14008, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. Supported Defence Research Board low level mapping trials at La Macaza, Quebec 3 to 13 November 1968. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. Served at CFB Cold Lake, dates unknown. Crashed during search and rescue mission in mountains west of Calgary, Alberta in 1975, repaired. Later to No. 439 Combat Support Squadron, CFB Bagotville, Quebec, still there in April 1995.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14009, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Delivered to Petawawa on 22 October 1968, last CH-118 delivered. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. Fitted with Bell 212 tail boom for experimental purposes. Served at CFB Moose Jaw, dates unknown. With No. 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta in April 1995. Classified as instructional airframe 920C on 11 February 1997. Had been Canadian Forces 118109. At CFB Borden by June 2006.Known Squadron Assignments:
Originally ordered as RCAF 14010, renumbered before delivery to CAF. Initial delivery to No. 403 (HOT) Squadron, CFB Petawawa, Ontario. Supported Defence Research Board low level mapping trials at La Macaza, Quebec 3 to 13 November 1968. To South Zeeland, Denmark for NATO exercise Green Express in September 1969. Then to Germany for Exercise Marshmallow at Hildesheim in October 1969. Supported operations in Quebec during FLQ Crisis in October 1970. On standby for military assistance during Kingston Penitentiary riots in April 1971. Later to Base Flight, CFB Cold Lake, Alta. To No. 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, in early 1990s, still there April 1995.