Best helicopter of Vietnam

[Pong]

Though this isn't WWII related, what was the best helicopter during the Vietnam War. This doesn't include attack helicopters people!

For me, I like the CH-47 since they can carry downed aircraft under their bellies.

-Pong

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

There is no contest here.

The best helicopter of Vietnam is the UH-1 Huey.

It flew more missions, more hours and was the helicopter that "carried" the war. It flew more passengers than any other helicopter, was the toughest SOB in the skies, could perform almost every mission possible.

It flew more combat missions and most of all "Dustoff" saved more lives than any other helicopter in Vietnam.

There really is no contest to this question or poll.

Also this thread should have been placed in the Modern or Post War section. I will move it for you.

Besides the argument that the CH-47 could carry other helicopters from a sling is not a good argument. The Skycrane and the Stallion could do it as well...

The Huey can carry small aircraft from a sling underneath as well.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

Gotta go with the Huey too. I heard the gunship variant could kick major @ss!

 

[RabidAlien]

Huey. No doubts about it.

 

[Amsel]

The Huey no doubt is the iconic multi role helicopter. I also think the AH-1 Cobra deserves a mention.

 

[ToughOmbre]

The Huey is a lock!

TO

 

[Gnomey]

Chris has summed it up perfectly. Definitely the Huey.

@Amsel, this poll doesn't include gunships although I would agree the AH-1 should get a mention.

 

[Amsel]

 

[lesofprimus]

Huey...

 

[evangilder]

Hands down the Huey for me too.

 

[Lucky13]

Then one and only Huey!

 

[mkloby]

Isn't it amazing that new versions of the H-1s are just starting to come online...

 

[Amsel]

I have flown on the newer ones recently at work. They can seat about 20 if I remember correctly.

 

[mkloby]

I have flown on the newer ones recently at work. They can seat about 20 if I remember correctly.

The UH-1Y cubes out before it runs out of smash.

 

[tomo pauk]

When we say "Vietnam war", we (almost) all see a it's icon, the UH-1, in different situations.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Like I said the Huey wins hands down. There is no contest here. You can say your favorite is a different aircraft, but the Huey and Huey Cobra are by far the best Helos to see service in the Vietnam war.

Big difference between favorite and best.

They may not be the best flying today, but the fact that the Huey is still used in more countries than any other aircraft, and the fact that the Huey is still be modernized and built today confirms its status as the best Helo of all times.

C-47 Skytrain = UH-1 Huey

When I first joined the Army, I wanted the Huey (it was also the first helicopter I ever flew in), but they would not let me. I got stuck with the Blackhawk, which I do not regret, it is a great helo as well.

 

[mkloby]

Like I said the Huey wins hands down. There is no contest here. You can say your favorite is a different aircraft, but the Huey and Huey Cobra are by far the best Helos to see service in the Vietnam war.

Big difference between favorite and best.

They may not be the best flying today, but the fact that the Huey is still used in more countries than any other aircraft, and the fact that the Huey is still be modernized and built today confirms its status as the best Helo of all times.

C-47 Skytrain = UH-1 Huey

When I first joined the Army, I wanted the Huey (it was also the first helicopter I ever flew in), but they would not let me. I got stuck with the Blackhawk, which I do not regret, it is a great helo as well.

I believe Sikorsky made a hard sales pitch at the USMC for replacing the old UH-1s. Perhaps the only reason it wasn't chosen was the commonality with the AH-1Z.

 

[tomo pauk]

(Off topic)
What "a hard sales pitch" means?

 

[mkloby]

(Off topic)
What "a hard sales pitch" means?

They threw a good offer at the USMC to get them to drop the UH-1Y and replace it with a version of the H-60.

 

[klarmie]

Don't forget that without the UH-1, there would never had been the AH-1. The Huey gunship brought about the Cobra.