Page 70 - History of War - Issue 29-16

OPERATOR’S HANDBOOK

“THE HUEY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
HELICOPTERS TO USE A TURBINE JET ENGINE,

WHICH WAS INSTALLED ABOVE THE FUSELAGE
AND CLOSE TO THE MAIN ROTOR UNIT”

Above: This small empty space
would have housed the turbine
engine, enabling a greater amount
of cargo and passenger space

The rear of a UH-1H turbo shaft.
This small, but powerful engine
enabled the Huey to y at
speeds of up to 137mph and a
range over 300 miles

Right: A Lycoming T-53 turbine engine powered the
Huey. Since 1955, over 19,000 have been produced
for both helicopters and xed-wing aircraft
ENGINE

Piston engines powered early helicopters but
this increased the aircraft weight and limited
its ight capacity. The Huey was one of the rst
helicopters to use a turbine jet engine, which
was installed above the fuselage and close
to the main rotor unit. Turbine engines were
expensive to build but they were durable, had
great longevity and were very light considering
their power output. Its small size meant that
the helicopter could hold a larger cargo and
transport more soldiers.

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