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I have flown on the newer ones recently at work. They can seat about 20 if I remember correctly.
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.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.
(Off topic)
What "a hard sales pitch" means?